October 30, 1916 – January 24, 2016
by David Crumb
Parma-Hilton Historian
The recent death of former Hilton High School Coach Joe Tolhurst has left many of his former students reflecting on his long and interesting life and also his great character. Joe, or “Coach,” as he was affectionately known to the several thousand students that passed through his Physical Education Classes from 1947 to 1976, was a friend to all as well as mentor and character developer.
Looking back, Joe was the quintessential role model for any young person in his or her teens. He was always a gentleman, always had a bright friendly smile, and was always pushing a student to do better and make the most of his or her talents. He had a positive way with kids.
Chuck Nichols, one of Joe’s basketball protégés, did a masterful job in searching out the story of Tolhurst’s life through newspaper articles now digitized on Fulton Post Cards. The information gleaned covered some 90 pages and must be condensed into two short pages for this article. The full document is available in the Parma-Hilton Historian’s office for any interested party who wishes further information.
Joe grew up in East Syracuse, New York, the son of Charles and Gertrude Tolhurst. He was one of the youngest of eight children. In his early years he played basket- ball for East Syracuse High School. Upon high school graduation he entered St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. There he played basketball all four years for the “Larry’s,” where he was considered their top basketball player.
The November 17, 1939 Ogdensburg Journal states the following: “In Joe Tolhurst, Coach Ronnie Burkman has one of the outstanding cagers in the east and one of the greatest ever to wear the scarlet of St. Lawrence. Possessing a deadly eye and a wonderful ball handler, Tolhurst though small in stature is a distinct threat to any club.”
He had several nicknames that I had never heard: “Smokin Joe,” “Little Joe Tolhurst” and “Gentleman Joe” along with others. During Joe’s second year at St. Lawrence, the Hill News had this to say about him on February 14, 1940: “Most productive Larry cager at present is Joe Tolhurst with 107 markers to Proller’s 97. The diminutive courtster has five remaining games in which to equal his last season’s mark of 175 points.” Another paper described Joe as the magician of the hardwood still on the loose in Larry Town.
Joe was not only tops as an athlete, but he was also a gentleman … Joe. He always played every game to win but at no time was it known for Tolhurst to use any means that would bring discredit to his school.
After graduation from St. Lawrence, Tolhurst entered Boston University to earn his master’s degree in physical education. Later he spent four years in the service from 1942 to 1946. While in the U.S. Army, he became in charge of the athletic program for approximately 15,000 troops.
In 1947 he was hired by Hilton Central School to be the Director of Physical Education where he served in that capacity until 1976. During his first years in Hilton he resided with Mr. and Mrs. John Taber on Lake Avenue. In 1956 he married Rosemary Becker. They continued to make their home in Hilton on Hillside Drive until 1986 when they moved back to Syracuse.
On June 4, 1953 Hilton Central paid Tribute to “Joe Tolhurst – Character Builder.” The surprise program was a dramatization patterned after the television show “This is Your Life.” Student Gary Bernardo acted as Master of Ceremonies and, well remembered guidance teacher, Hazel Jenkins, was the reader behind the scenes. Surprise guests that night included his father Charles, his future wife Rosemary, his high school coach, the St. Lawrence Director of Athletics, sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. T. Riechart, along with many others.
School officials wanted to honor and thank Tolhurst for his first six years of service where he made a difference giving much of his time and energy to help boys build not only strong, healthy bodies, but character of the same type. It was a night to remember, and there are those alive today who do remember the event.
During Joe’s retirement years he often revisited Hilton and old friends. Many of his students kept in touch with him. On his 95th birthday a group of former students bridging a 15 year class spread went to Syracuse to help him celebrate his birthday. His eyesight was failing, and he said “your voices are the same, and I can still see you in my mind’s eye as you were when you were teenagers.”
Joe had a long happy life, and reaped the rewards of many friends who continued to stay in touch with him, but perhaps most rewarding is the little lessons remembered by those students and now passed on to a younger generation. The influence of a good teacher, mentor or coach can never be underestimated.
Farewell Joe … rest easy!
Your kids.
