Frederick F. “Coach” Leeney, 92, of Schnecksville, formerly from Madison, N.J,, died Jan. 17, 2017, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, surrounded by his family.

He and his wife Lorene E. (Turgeon) Leeney were married 64 years.

He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield.

Born June 2, 1924, in Winsted, Conn., he faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aviation machinist’s mate second class.

He was a life member of American Legion Post 43 in Madison, as well as Amvets Post 151, Lyons, N.J.

He attended The Gilbert School in Winsted, from which he graduated in 1942 as a three-sport letterman in football, basketball and baseball.

After completing his military service, he attended Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., from which he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.

While at Emporia State, he excelled as a three-year letterman in baseball.

Later, he earned his Master’s degree in health and physical education at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.

His teaching and coaching career began at Welda High School in Kansas, where he coached outstanding championship basketball teams between 1952-56.

Also, in the early 1950s, he was player-manager for the Chamberlain Chiefs of the Old Basin League in South Dakota.

It was there, he met the love of his life, Lorene, while playing his favorite sport, baseball.

He then moved east, where he continued his teaching and coaching career from 1956-86 at Hanover Park High School, East Hanover, N.J.

During his tenure, he held positions as head baseball coach, head basketball coach and athletic director, where he continued to produce championship teams.

Of particular note, seven of his former players played professional baseball.

President of the Morris County Baseball Coaches, Athletic Directors and American Legion Baseball Coaches associations, he was the honorary chairman of the Morris County Baseball and Basketball tournaments, and Greater Newark Baseball Tournament.

He was also the chairman of American Legion Baseball and Boys State programs.

In 1968, he co-founded the Mott-Leeney Baseball Camp. As owner and director of the camp, he helped thousands of youngsters improve their baseball skills.

He will be dearly missed by his wife; children Catherine M. Jacobs and her husband, Dary, of Naples, Fla., Christine L. Leeney of Branchburg, N.J., Michael F. Leeney and his fiancée, Michelle Bailey of San Diego, Calif.; sister Elaine O’Connell of Hazlet, N.J.; grandchildren Linda and Michael; and great-grandchildren, Michael, Madeline, Madison, Meredith, Alex and Jacob.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be announced at a later date.

There will be no calling hours.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Mott-Leeney Baseball Camp, Attn: Liz Bona-Beach, 91 S. Orange Ave., Livingston, NJ 07039.

As co-founder of the Mott-Leeney Baseball Camp, he requested donated funds be used for selected future campers to attend at no cost.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.