Leonard Sully" Mott Dies At 88"

Leonard “Sully” Mott

Leonard “Sully” Mott of East Hampton died at home surrounded by family on Saturday, March 26. He was 88.

Born April 1, 1922, Mr. Mott attended East Hampton High School and was captain of the football and wrestling teams where he was given his nickname, “Sully.” He excelled in athletics and attended Ithaca College where he ran track, played football and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education. After serving in World War II as a Marine, he returned to college to earn a master’s degree, also in physical education, and to form and coach Ithaca’s first wrestling team.

He married Mary Riley on Thanksgiving Day in 1946.

In 1949, he moved to New Jersey where he became the athletic director, head football and baseball coach at Closter High School. Mr. Mott served the Closter community for more than 25 years as a member of the Recreation Committee; helped form the Junior League Football program in Closter and coached both football and Little League baseball; he was manager of the Closter Swim Club for 26 years; and served on the Boys and Girls Committee for the Closter Lions Club. In 1955 he left Closter and took a teaching and coaching position in Mount Vernon where he coached football, basketball, track, wrestling and was the athletic director.

In 1965, Mr. Mott returned to New Jersey at North Valley Demarest as a physical education and driver education teacher and as head wresting and baseball coach. He proudly coached his baseball and wrestling teams to victory in various championships. In 1969, he assumed the duties of athletic director at Demarest and held that position until he retired in 1988. He was committed to the Bergen County Men’s and Women’s Coaches Associations and was honored for his contributions to sports in the area. In 1987 he was inducted into the New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame.

After retiring, he returned with his wife to East Hampton.

Mr. Mott is survived by his children, Sally A. Mott of California, Leonard B. Mott of Florida, Peter L. Mott, John B. Mott, Thomas J. Mott of East Hampton, and Mary M. Mott of Hampton Bays; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Mary in 2007.

Visitation was held Tuesday, March 29, at Yardley & Pino in East Hampton. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 30, at 10 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church also in East Hampton.