Woodington Middle School, in collaboration with the local community, is set to host a Celebration of Life event in memory of Perry Lychak, a renowned baseball player and local coach. The event will take place this Saturday at 11:00 AM in the school gym, with a reception to follow.

“Perry was just a great guy,” said Woodington Principal Patrick Phillippe. “He loved coaching and loved the kids He managed from 8:00 to 3:00, but whenever he got on the field that was that was what he wanted to do every day.”

Lychak, who passed away in September, was cherished for his dedication to education and youth sports. Phillippe emphasized the importance of paying tribute to a man who made a significant impact on the lives of many in the region.

Lychak's legacy was intertwined with Woodington Middle School, where he began his teaching and coaching career in 1986. Over the years, he left a mark as the head baseball coach, and his passion for the sport was evident to all who knew him.

"He was the head football coach, the head baseball coach for years, but his love, of course, was baseball," Phillippe noted.

Lychak played for the Canadian National Team in the 1979 Pan American Games, the 1980 Amateur World Series, and in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup. He pitched a three-hitter win for the Canadian Team in the Intercontinental Cup baseball tournament in August of 1981 defeating the defending champions, Cuba.

His influence extended beyond Woodington Middle School, as he mentored and coached students throughout the community. He went the extra mile to ensure that young athletes had opportunities to pursue their interests.

As Phillippe explained, “Perry Lychak was a community man, involved in various aspects of life beyond sports. He was an avid hunter, a member of the Lenoir County Hunting Association, and a friend to many.”

He cherished strong friendships and valued the bonds he built with the students he mentored.

The Celebration of Life event is a way to remember and honor Perry Lychak's contributions to the community. Phillippe shared that the school has also submitted a request to the Lenoir County Board of Education to name the baseball field after Lychak.

The event aims to provide a platform for family, friends, former players, and community members to come together and celebrate the life of a man who left an enduring mark on Kinston. Lychak believed in sharing his passions and experiences, leaving an indelible mark on the lives he touched. The event is an opportunity for the community to come together and reflect on the impact of this remarkable individual.

The Celebration of Life event for Perry Lychak is open to all who wish to pay their respects and share in the fond memories of a beloved member of the Kinston community.