Berlin High School is mourning the death of its longtime wrestling coach James Day.
The 64-year-old died on Thursday.
According to the school principal, Day was hospitalized earlier in the week due to complication from flu and pneumonia but an exact cause of death remains unclear.
Day gave decades of service to the high school as a special educator, athletic director and wrestling coach. Berlin Schools Superintendent Brian Benigni said the coach lead his team to consecutive state titles for many years.
"You had a man that was committed to the community and the students," Benigi said.
On Friday, Day’s fellow coaches, along with wrestlers past and present, shared memories of a man they considered a mentor and a friend.
"He was the type of guy that would lean over on any given occasion and would just say something that would stick with you for a lifetime," Berlin soccer coach, Katie Amenta, said.
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"He didn’t coach a team, he coached a family," varsity wrestler Matt Pampuro said.
Several members of that wrestling family are competing in a tournament at Hillhouse High School this weekend.
