Jeffery Ianiri

1943 - 2024

Jeffery Alphonso Ianiri, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and above all coach, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 1, 2024, age 80, with his wife and children by his side.

Jeff was born with fire engine red curly hair and crystal blue eyes on May 31, 1943, to Alphonso and Frances Gagliano Ianiri of Auburn, NY. Raised on Chapel Street, across from Holy Family Church, his upbringing was immersed in family, their Italian heritage, strong Catholic faith, and an affinity for sports. With his younger brothers and cousins by his side, he lived a life wrapped in tradition, faith, integrity, laughter and above all, love. These formative attributes were unwavering throughout his life, from his primary years into adulthood. At 23 he met the love of his life, Karen Hyland, and upon completion of his Bachelor's degree, they were married, on Halloween, October 31, 1970. Throughout their 53 years and 6 decades of marriage, life and love together, they built a life steeped in his family traditions, creating their own family modeling the same ideals and principles he was raised with.

Jeff graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, class of 1962, and continued his education at Auburn Community College, where he graduated with an Associate's degree in 1968. From there he continued on to Parsons College, Iowa, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 1970, and then went on to graduate from SUNY Cortland with two Master's degrees, in Education and Administration, in the 1980's.

In 1970, Jeff began his 31-year career as a physical education teacher for the Auburn Enlarged City School District, which included one year as Interim Athletic Director. While he thoroughly enjoyed his days in the gymnasium with peers and students, his true passion was coaching - he lived for it! Jeff's coaching resume for Auburn spanned his entire career and included: Freshman Baseball; Freshman, JV and Varsity Football; Varsity Wrestling, Modified and Varsity Softball; and Modified and Freshman Basketball. Upon retirement in 2002 he continued his love of coaching scholastic sports with the Southern Springs football team, as Assistant Varsity Coach for three years followed by Head Varsity Coach for two seasons more.

True to his Ianiri family values, Jeff was an active volunteer in the Auburn community, coaching youth sports for decades, which included: the Boys and Girls Baseball League; Pony and Little League; Cinderella Softball League; CYO Basketball (all divisions); and Auburn City League Head Coach Basketball (Holy Family). He was very active with church his entire life as well, from altar serving at Holy Family to President Parish Council at Holy Family, to Lector and Eucharistic Minister at Holy Family and St. Alphonsus churches.

When off the field, Jeff's life was enveloped in the love he held for his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, family, and friends. He was one of a kind we were lucky to have as our own, an inspirational family man and coach, with generosity of spirit, courageous at each battle, loyal to a fault, and an enormous heart of gold. He will be remembered for the lessons he instilled in us on and off the field, which carried over from the manner in which he loved and lived life.

Jeff is survived by the steadfast love of his life, his wife Karen Hyland Ianiri of Pittsfield, MA; his daughter Kristene and son-in-law William Erwin of Pittsfield; his son Geoffrey and daughter-in-law Jenny Ianiri of Easton, PA; his granddaughter Elizabeth Tracy Erwin, and his grandson and namesake Robert Jeffery Erwin, both of Pittsfield; his grandpuppy Stella of Easton; his brother Michael and sister-in-law Carol Ann Ianiri of Auburn; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Jeff was predeceased by his parents, Al and Faye, his infant sister Diana Ianiri, his brother Paul Ianiri, his nephew Michael Ianiri, his cousins who were like brothers, Robert DeChick and David DeChick, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Calling hours will be held Friday, April 12, from 4pm-7pm at Holy Family Church in Auburn. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 13, 12:30pm at Holy Family Church, with a Christian burial following at St. Joseph's Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeff's name to the Matthew House (43 Metcalf Dr., Auburn, NY, 13021), or St. Agnes Academy (30 Carson Rd., Dalton, MA 01226), or to a charity of your choosing.

A coach will impact more young people in one year than the average person does in a lifetime. At peace in heaven's end zone and forever in our hearts.