Alan Basney
Alan completed his journey of a life well lived on February 10, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Plainville, CT, Alan formally resided in Stuart FL, as well as East Haddam and most recently Stratford, CT.
He was a legendary educator and coach who touched the lives of a generation of students and athletes. Testimonies given by his former students and players showed that he taught more about life and developing life skills, in addition to being a teacher and coach. Every class or game was an opportunity to provide his students with much needed lessons for a meaningful life. It was not unusual for a student to contact him 10 or 20 years after they had left school.
Alan taught at Hartford High School and Conard High School for a total of 34 years. In 1959, he coached basketball at New Milford High school and at that time, was the youngest head coach in Connecticut. He had many challenges in his younger years but was known for his determination and strength to succeed in life.
He graduated from Plainville High School and Southern Connecticut State University and received his sixth year teaching certificate from the University of Hartford. He was awarded full scholarships throughout his four years of college. In 1962, he was one of 25 science teachers nationwide to win a two year scholarship to Fairfield University and Yale University.
While coaching at Conard High School, he produced league championships in four sports – basketball, cross country, tennis and golf. At Quinnipiac University, he was the assistant coach for baseball the year the team won the New England Championship. He also started the first cross country program at Quinnipiac.
A lifelong sailor, he and his wife Charlotte enjoyed many years of sailing, including a trip from Connecticut to the Bahamas where they lived on their boat for eight months and travelled to many remote islands. When residing in CT through the summer months, they spent weeks on their boat sailing to Maine, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Alan was also a member of the Shennecosset Yacht Club and the Circle Bay Yacht Club in Stuart, FL. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing with his sons.
He will be most lovingly remembered by his wife Charlotte, his sons Andrew Basney (wife Robin) and James Basney (wife Sharon) of Illinois; his step daughters Diana Jenacaro (husband Jeremy) and Judy Jenacaro (husband Chris) of Manhattan. Also, his four blue-eyed, red-haired granddaughters, Erin and Nola Basney and Camille and Carmen Berkovits, who were the joy of his life.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The Gregory F. Doyle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To leave an on-line condolence, please visit, www.gregoryfdoylefuneralhome.com.