David W. “Dave” Funk, 83, well-known coach and teacher in Norwich, died on Friday, July 4, 2025 at SUNY Upstate Hospital in Syracuse, NY.
Born on April 20, 1942, in Norwich, Dave was a son of the late Willard and Mary (Maynard) Funk. He graduated from Sherburne High School in 1960 and then attended Colgate University where he was a member of the Class of 1964. Dave’s first job was in Hornell, NY as an executive director for the Boy Scouts of America. Upon moving back to Norwich, Dave was an elementary educator at both Stanford J. Gibson and Perry Browne schools. He retired after 38 years of dedicated service. Outside of the classroom, Dave was heavily involved with coaching. He coached modified soccer, modified and varsity track, and modified, junior varsity, and varsity wrestling. Dave established the pee-wee wrestling program in Norwich which continues today.
In addition, Dave was very active with 4-H, the NYS Dairy Goat Breeders Association and with the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA). He was a pioneer in the dairy goat field of study and was a District 2 Director, and served for a time as Vice President for ADGA. Dave published numerous national articles on goats, was a former vice-president of the association, and was a licensed judge for 45 years.
His legacies have impacted the lives of countless youth; through wrestling or track, through his classroom, as safety patrol advisor, and with 4-H and judging. Nothing made Mr. Funk prouder than seeing a youngster succeed at whatever it was they were learning from him. Many turned this impact into life journeys becoming teachers and professors successful in the show ring; gaining lifelong passions for dairy goats and other misfit and misunderstood species; judges for animals nationally; and for some, having the courage, motivation, and determination to take the lessons and conversations he had with them, to become the very best version of themselves.
Following his retirement, Dave moved to Schenectady, before relocating back to Norwich. Among his hobbies, Dave was a nationally ranked contract bridge player and played at the Norwich Family YMCA and online with friends in Albany.
On June 26, 1964, in the West Genesee Methodist Church in Syracuse, Dave married Carolyn Jones, who predeceased him on January 8, 1997. Together, they shared their love of goats and teaching.
Dave is survived by his children, Bonnie (Dayne) Peck, of Gloversville, NY, Dan (Jennifer Hendrickson) Funk, of Norwich, NY, Jennifer (Adam) Ryan, of Oxford, NY and Nathan (Jennifer) Funk, of Norwich, NY; grandchildren, Stephanie (Christopher) Zinter, of Wilmington, NC, Dayna (Creighton) Joscelyn, of Gloversville, NY, Carolyn Peck, of Gloversville, NY, Meghan Funk, of Norwich, NY, Nicole Ramsaran, of Norwich, NY, Richard (Haleigh) Ryan, of Guilford, NY, Hannah (Sal Magro) Ryan, of Norwich, NY, Ellie Ryan, of Earlville, NY, Maria Funk, of Norwich, NY, Katie Funk, of Norwich, NY and Jamie Funk, of Norwich, NY; great-grandchildren, Josie Joy Ryan, Florence June Ryan, and Lydia Magro; siblings, Nancy Funk, of Smyrna, NY, Laura Davis, of Ann Arbor, MI, Dan (Donna) Funk, of Fabius, NY, Susan (David) Frye, of Oxford, NY, and Andrew Funk, of Sempronius, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
All are welcome to a memorial service and celebration of life at the Broad Street United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 74 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815 on Saturday, July 26, 2025 starting at 5:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions are encouraged to establish a college scholarship in Dave’s memory. Donations may be sent to the New York State Dairy Goat Breeders Association, in memory of David Funk, c/o Kathy Kelly, 139 Old Mill Road, Cobleskill, NY 12043.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home. To leave the family a message of sympathy, please visit: www.wilsonfh.com.