Hyde Park, NY

Donald D. DeLorenzo, longtime resident of Hyde Park, and beloved teacher and coach for thousands of local youths, passed away Friday, October 2, 2026, after a long illness. He was 89.

Born in Schenectady, NY on September 21, 1937, to the late Anthony DeLorenzo and Theresa DeMartin, he graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady, attended Springfield College (Mass), served four years in the US Coast Guard, and then completed his graduate work in 1964 at Springfield, where he met his future wife, Sue Fitzpatrick. They were married in Schenectady the following year.

Don taught physical education in the Spackenkill School District in Poughkeepsie and started and coached the highly successful soccer program there. When he retired from Spackenkill in 1994 as teacher, coach and athletic director, he continued to coach soccer, as Assistant Coach at Marist College for two years, and then started another successful program at Dover High School. Additionally, he coached two more years at FDR High School in Hyde Park. More than all his awards and recognitions, including being elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, he was most proud of the players he coached over the years and the opportunity that coaching gave him to make a positive influence in their lives.

He deeply loved his faith, family, and friends.

In retirement he also enjoyed reading, traveling, cartooning, and writing poetry, illustrating his poems with his original cartoons.

Survivors include his wife Sue of 61 years, and his daughters Denise DeLorenzo of Fairfield, PA and Dana Scanlon (Terence) of Plantation, FL, and grandson Andrew Scanlon. He was predeceased by his son Todd in 1990.

He is also survived by his sister Rosemary Caswell and brothers David DeLorenzo (Kathleen) and James DeLorenzo (Janet), and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, at Sweet's Funeral Home, 4365 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY with a Celebration of Life at 3:00 pm. A Mass and Burial will be private at the family's request.

Special appreciation for the compassionate care from Hudson Valley Hospice and Don's longtime aide Walter McKinney for guiding him through this last earthly journey.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Don's memory to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.