"It was a celebration of his life."

That is the way Ann Ritter described the funeral of her brother Ed Peery, a Shaler High School alumnus who died June 15 at the age of 75.

"[The funeral] was held at the [United States] Naval Academy Chapel and 1,000 people were in attendance," Ritter said. "It was amazing all the people who showed up to pay their respects."

In his 27 years at the helm of the Navy wrestling program, Peery compiled a career record of 311-90-14, making him the winningest wrestling coach in the academy's history. His teams won eight EIWA team titles. He was named the NCAA Coach of the Year in 1968 and the Eastern Coach of the Year in 1986.

"Dad loved the sport of wrestling and was very proud of being a coach," said Greg Peery, his son. "People were naturally attracted to my dad because he had a certain aura about him. I think that was because he was very strong mentally, physically and spiritually."

Peery fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer with his condition worsening during the last month of his life. As word spread of his frail health, the family was inundated with numerous phone calls and e-mails from Naval Academy graduates who were motivated by Peery.

"I've fielded countless phone calls from former wrestlers and just regular Midshipmen who said my dad helped them get through the academy. They said 'I wanted to quit as a plebe, but your dad told me to suck it up and stick it out.' It's been amazing and uplifting for me to hear how many people he impacted," Greg Peery said.

Ed Peery began his wrestling career at Shaler High School and posted a 48-1 record. He won three WPIAL titles and two PIAA crowns, while placing second in the PIAA once. Peery followed his older brother, Hugh, to the University of Pittsburgh to wrestle for their father, Rex, who compiled a 117-15-4 record in 13 seasons as the Panthers head coach.

Both Ed and Hugh Peery won three NCAA titles in their career at Pitt. Ed Peery compiled a 51-1 record in college. He also earned a place as an alternate on the U.S. Olympic team for the 1956 Melbourne Games.

Peery came to the Naval Academy as an assistant to Ray Swartz in 1959. Swartz retired one year later and Peery took over as head coach, building Navy into one of the most powerful programs in the East. Peery coached 48 individual EIWA champs and 28 All-Americans while compiling a phenomenal 22-2-3 record against archrival Army.

Peery's finest team at Navy might have been the 1968 contingent that placed fifth at the NCAA Championship. John Kent was national runner-up at 152 pounds, while Peter Vanderlofske took third at 137 pounds that year.

"It was so heart-warming to hear all the inspirational stories I heard from former wrestlers," Ritter said. "He touched so many lives."

Peery retired as head wrestling coach in 1987, but remained at the Naval Academy as a tenured professor in the physical education department.

"He was the highest ranking civilian in the Naval Academy," Ritter said. "He retired after 40 years."

After retiring from coaching, Peery continued to promote the sport of wrestling by conducting local and national clinics. He also served as an assistant coach at Annapolis and worked with a few area high schools. Peery helped Annapolis Area Christian School start its program. The school holds an annual tournament named the Ed Peery Invitational.

Peery's lifelong hobby and passion was woodworking. The two homes he built are a testament to his carpentry skills. He was building a woodworking shop when he became ill.

While Peery was in the hospital and recovering at a rehabilitation facility, approximately 30 former Navy wrestlers from the 1960s and '70s spent a week completing the woodworking shop and furnishing it with all new tools. They wore T-shirts that read "Navy Wrestlers Will Be There". They added a special touch by carving the Navy insignia into the door.

"A lot of those men told me that when they were Navy wrestlers they wanted to win for my dad," Greg Peery said. "Toward the end, those men were there for my dad in his time of need."

Ritter, who still lives in the Shaler Area School District, visited her brother one week before his death.

"Ed was well prepared for this," Ritter said. "He has a very strong Christian faith and passed it on to us. He knew he was going to pass away and that he was going to a better place. His family was with him when he passed away."

Peery was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1980. He was also inducted into the Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame and Pennsylvania Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Peery is survived by his wife, Gretchen, daughter Martie and son Greg. He also had a son, Neil, and daughter, Laurie, that are deceased.

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