Coach Tony F. Buttar, 78 of Niles, formerly of Austintown, died  Saturday December 27, 2014 at St. Elizabeth's Health Center in Youngstown.

He was born June 21, 1936 in Youngstown the son of Anthony and Phyllis Russo Buttar.

Tony was a 1954 graduate of Boardman High School, a graduate of John Carroll University with a Bachelors of Social Science Degree in 1959 and a Masters of Art Degree in 1964. He also served in the ROTC while at John Carroll.

He began his coaching career in 1960 at Cardinal Mooney High School where he qualified the Cardinals first Track entry for the State Meet in 1961. One of the longest tenured track and field coach in the state of Ohio, he then started the track program at Warren John F. Kennedy High School in 1966 and remained with the program for the next 35 years qualifying a minimum of one and as a many as seven athletes for the state tournament, an unprecedented 29 consecutive years. He led the Eagles to six regional championships while two of his teams registered runner-up finishes

He has mentored 11 state hurdle champions , six state hurdle runner-ups, and between his time at both Mooney and JFK has coached 69 All-State performers.

Cited in The Congressional Record in 1990 for his career accomplishments, he was selected by The Warren Tribune Chronicle as one of its 100 most influential people in Trumbull County Sports for the years 1900-1999.

He was also inducted into The State of Ohio Track and Field/ Cross Country Hall of Fame, The Warren City All Sports Hall of Fame, Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame, Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame, and The JFK Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1999 he was recognized by The State Track Coaches Association as one of only three track and field coaches in Ohio high school or college history to coach 40+ years.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Austintown, The Mahoning and Trumbull County Coaches Association, enjoyed reading, and was an avid Cleveland Sports and Ohio State Buckeyes fan,

He will be deeply missed by his children, Geri Alaina Buttar(Hannah) of Las Vegas, Nevada, David Buttar(Traci) of Niles, Rebecca Donchess(Ryan) of Austintown, and two grandchildren, Jacob and Katie Buttar.

Friends may call Monday from 5 to 7PM at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10AM Tuesday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, preceded by a 9:30AM prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Material Contributions  can be made to Shepherd of The Valley Lutheran Home in Niles, 1500 McKinley Ave, Niles, Ohio 44446 or Catholic Charities, 144 Wood Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Family and friends can sign the guest book, light a candle, and send  e-mail condolences at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.