Karl Krech passes away

NY West loses a great Friend of Soccer

Former NYSW Board Member Karl Krech passed away, Wednesday, March 14th, 2007.  Karl served the NYSW soccer community in many capacities. He was a coach for boy’s and girl’s recreational and competitive soccer for 25 years; past President of Union Soccer Association and the Broome County Soccer Association; he served on the state board as the Binghamton Commissioner from 1985 through 1993. In 1998 he returned to serve the state board as a member of the audit committee, and in 1999 was elected and served as the 2nd Vice President through 2002.
  
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Karl G. Krech, Jr.
of Endwell
 
Karl G. Krech, Jr. of Endwell, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at Wilson Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Betty (Mills) Krech, Endwell; son, Keith, Endicott; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and John Murinchack, Binghamton; granddaughter, Deborah Murinchack, Binghamton; brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Marie Krech, Avondale, Pa.; one niece, Kimberly; and three nephews, Kent, Douglas and Steven.
 
Karl was a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations. He served as a Commissioned Officer in the active U.S. Navy, and later as a Lieutenant Commander from the Naval Reserve. Karl retired after 34 years of working for NYSEG in Human Resources.
 
He was coach for boys and girls recreational and competitive soccer for 25 years; past President of the Union Soccer Association and the Broome County Soccer Association, and he served as Binghamton District Commissioner and Vice President of the New York State West Youth Soccer Association.
 
Former NYSWYSA 2nd VP and President, Bob Sokolinsky, said this about Karl, “After I replaced him as 2nd VP, Karl worked hard to ensure a smooth transition. He was one of the most honest, hardworking professionals I have known and worked with. His concern for the welfare of NYSWYSA and its membership, alone, made him a very important member of the board of directors. As a friend and colleague I am very saddened. His loss to the soccer community cannot be measured. With Karl Krech went a treasure.”
According to long time NY West Board member, Roger Best, “Karl was a good and compassionate man who loved the game of soccer and served the youth of the State Association well in all of his many capacities.”  
 
Karl was also a member of and past chairperson of the church council for the Federated Church of Maine; past President and 34 year Board of Directors member of the Utilities Employees Credit Union; member of Broome County United Way Allocation Panel. He was an avid admirer of his dogs, Goldie and Maggie; and of all Philadelphia sports teams, no matter what their record.
 
“As a Board member of NY West, Karl brought not only dedication and hard work to the organization, but he provided leadership and a keen insight into organizational matters. Even though Karl was a stickler for details, we will always remember him for his sense of humor and for his ability to keep things in proper perspective,” said Sandy Ostebo, the NYW Director of Public Affairs.