Earl J. Retzlaff

Averill Park- Earl J. Retzlaff, 92, of Old Rte. 66 passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 after a time of declining health. Born, raised and educated in Troy, Earl was the son of the late Earl B. and Loretta Shevlin Retzlaff and the beloved husband of the late Susan Larkin Retzlaff. Earl was a graduate of Catholic High in Troy and was drafted into the Marine Corp in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954. He continued his education and received his Masters in Physical Education from Ithaca College which is where he also met his future wife, Sue. Earl and Sue moved to Averill Park in 1957 where Earl was a Physical Education teacher and an accomplished baseball coach with the Averill Park School District, retiring in 1985. Earl then went to work in the athletic department at HVCC, coaching for a number of years. Earl was recently inducted into the Averill Park Hall of Fame. Earl was a longtime communicant of St. Henry’s Church in Averill Park and was a eucharist minister. He wintered in Bradenton, Florida for 30 years and enjoyed skiing, boating, jet skiing, swimming and Golfing. He lived to coach and play baseball and made an impact on many students throughout his career. He was known by many around the country.

Survivors include his children Barbra Retzlaff of Adams, MA, and Brian (Christine) Retzlaff of Troy, his grandchildren Krissy (Steve), Victoria(Corey), Alyssa (Andrew), Megan and Paige, his great grandchildren Nora, Troy, Emma, Sage, Peyton, Jameson, Willow, Jade and Wren along with his friends Rocco Fragomeni, Ken Longacker and Fred Hill and cousins.

Funeral 11 am Tuesday, June 27 at St. Henry’s Church 32 Old Rte. 66 Averill Park where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered with burial to follow in St. Henry’s Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the CHURCH 4-7 pm on Monday June 26.

If desired donations in memory of Earl J. Retzlaff may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society 3 Oakland Ave. Menands, NY 12204 or the Alzheimer’s Assoc. 4 Pine West Plaza Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205.

Visit www.perrykomdat.com for directions and a guestbook.