John A. Haas, a retired physical education teacher and coach with the Riverhead School District, died at his home in Mattituck on April 1, 2007. He was 78 years old. He was born in Manhattan on Nov. 12, 1928, the only child of Anna (nee Sienkiewicz) and John Haas. A graduate of Baldwin High School in 1946 and a 1952 graduate of Syracuse University, he served from 1946 until 1948 in the US Navy.

After serving his country, John spent 35 years as a teacher and coach having taught at schools in Massapequa, Uniondale and Riverhead. He had also taught driver education for many years. During his retirement, he continued to be a substitute teacher because of his love for children. In his free time he enjoyed the sea, swimming and fishing.

In 1955, he married the former Jane Gonsalves and together they made their home in Sayville and Lake Ronkonkoma before moving to Mattituck where they lived for the last 37 years.

John was most proud of his family, of being a teacher, a coach and an avid wrestling fan and helping to promote the sport of wrestling and the kids who loved it; read a family statement. He spent many years encouraging youth to wrestle and to study hard. He would take students to the US Naval Academy to promote that school and its wrestling program. He was fond of all sports, but had been involved in wrestling for a least 45 years, especially high school and college wrestling.

Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Jane, and children, Suzanne (Bill) Connell of Mattituck, Eric (Cinda) Haas of Lusby, MD, Gordon Haas of Mattituck, Karen Haas (Steven Cielatka) of Cutchogue, Ginna (Tom) Beebe of Cutchogue, Elaine (Andy) Leuze of Salem, CT, and Katherine Haas of Mattituck; and 12 grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter Gretchen Haas.

The family received friends at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, Mattituck, where parish prayer services were conducted by Sister Anne Lynch. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel RC Church by Msgr. John Nosser. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cutchogue. Those wishing to remember John and his family in a special way can make a donation to North Fork Animal Welfare League or East End Hospice.