I didn't known Peter Oley as a teacher, track coach or the town historian. I knew him as the father of my schoolmate Lisbet. To me he was "Mr. Oley," the kind and gentle man who came to all Liz's basketball games and cheered her on, happily hosted all her friends at his beautiful Riverview Road home (with a mini-history lesson each visit) and chatted up my parents about anything and everything on the sidelines of sporting or school events. And there's nothing I can say that people haven't already said — the man is an Irvington legend — so I'll share a couple comments from the guest book section of his online memorial on the Edwards Dowdle Funeral Home's Web site:

"Mr. Oley was my first teacher when I just moved to Irvington from Brazil. I was in the fifth grade. I spoke no English at this time but he was very patient and understanding as he taught me. He was a great teacher and a coach. He will be very missed."
— Yumiko Kamiyama, Japan

Dear Oleys, You know how often, and how uniquely, Peter touched the lives of every member of our family. He helped us find our way through the woods to the Hermit's grave; cut down trees that were threatening our home; encouraged us to run faster and farther for the sheer fun of it; sold hotdogs with us at Sunnysider track meets; taught us about Eskimos, soapstone carvings, and geodesic domes; invited us back to Irvington to discuss history; and always made time to talk to each of us about your family and ours. Peter was our teacher, our coach, our fellow workmate,our historian, our neighbor, our friend. Irvington, and our lives, are so much more interesting and joyful because of him. Thank you Peter.
—The Mahers, Irvington

Peter's enthusiasm made history come alive in Irvington. The "Those Who Served" exhibit was celebrated by people from all around the County who came to Irvington to view it. As a teacher, coach and historian, Peter contributed so much to us all. We send our condolences to his wondeful family.
—Fran and Jack McLaughlin, East Irvington

"I was there in 1957 as a member of the Junior High track team when Peter Oley began his coaching career. I have great memories of Coach Oley including my final track meet in 1962 when he decided to put our fastest sprinters in the first two legs of the final sprint relay in hopes of taking the lead and demoralizing the competition. I led off and had a good start until I realized I wasn't going to be able to pass the baton in time. In a final desperate move I lunged, falling flat on my face and we were disqualified. I was devastated and thought I had let Coach Oley and the team down. What I will never forget is the way he handled this. He personally took me to the emergency room where I had a few stitches, drove me home and then told the whole school at the final assembly that he was proud of me because my desperate attempt reflected the spirit of the Irvington High School track team. He turned what was, for me, a devastating moment into one of my most positive experiences at Irvington High School. He was a great person and I will always remember him! My heart goes out to his family.
— Ken Kassover, Lake Forest Park, WA

Mr. Oley's funeral service will take place at the Irvington Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 25 at 2 pm.