| Graduation Year | Class of 1985 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 30, 2007 |
| About | Clarence wrestling coach dies at home By Mary Jo Monnin Updated: 04/02/07 4:18 AM Jon Vesper, one of Western New York’s bright, young wrestling coaches, died Friday in his Clarence home. He was 40. The cause of death was not immediately known. Paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him, and he was rushed to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 7 p.m. Vesper had some of his former wrestlers over earlier in the day and appeared fine. Vesper had just completed his 14th season with the Red Devils as a varsity head coach and assistant. Vesper was attending Erie Community College full time with the goal of becoming a physical education teacher. Vesper, a Clarence graduate, was a Section VI wrestling champion in 1983-1984. Vesper and his wife, Jan, were married seven years. Their children were Brittany, 15, Nathan 6, Grace, 4, with a fourth child expected in October. Vesper had built Clarence into one of the best programs in Western New York. The Red Devils were in constant contention for the ECIC I title, and they were always well-represented at sectionals. Dan Audy wrestled four years for Vesper before graduating last year. He said he was heartbroken by the news. “I lost my father when I was 3, and mostly recently my grandfather during the wrestling season. Jon was always there for me,” said Audy. “He was the father figure in my life since all that happened. Jon made everything fun.” Dennis Beck of Lancaster coached against Vesper. He was impressed with how prepared Vesper’s teams were. “He worked hard at it. He and his kids were doing the extra things that are required to get to the top of the game,” said Beck. “His kids were always about wrestling at a high level and being competitive.” The viewing is Monday and Tuesday, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at Urban Brothers Funeral Home, 6685 Transit Road, East Amherst. The funeral is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, 9535 Clarence Center Road, Clarence Center. |
