The Wayne Area Sports Hall of Fame and Honesdale community are mourning the loss of Fred Light, a beloved baseball and softball coach who shaped generations of athletes.
Light passed away on Saturday, August 9, at the Carbondale Nursing and Rehabilitation Center due to complications following back surgery. He was 82 years old.
A Lifetime In Sports
Fred Light’s journey in sports began in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania.
A graduate of Elk Lake High School’s Class of 1960, he was a multi-sport standout who later attended Penn State University, excelling as a hard-hitting middle infielder.
Light led the Nittany Lions to the 1963 College World Series, where they finished fifth in the nation.
He held the school’s single-season and career stolen base records until the mid-1980s.
After college, Light signed with the Houston Astros and went on to play for several minor league teams, including the Durham Bulls and Salisbury Astros.
In 1965, he earned a spot on the Western Carolina All-Star Team as a shortstop, hitting 23 home runs.
By 1972, Light had transitioned into coaching at Honesdale High School, where he spent more than two decades as a varsity baseball coach.
His teams were known for their discipline, preparation, and competitiveness.
Even after retiring from baseball, he returned to the field to coach varsity softball for 20 years, combining paid and volunteer roles.
Remembered As A Mentor And Friend
Wayne Highlands Superintendent Greg Frigoletto said,
“Fred was an icon at Honesdale High School. He impacted his players in ways that lasted a lifetime.”
Former teammate and coaching colleague Allen ‘Butch’ Keller shared,
“We coached together from our 20s into our 60s. He was an incredible athlete, a passionate coach, and a wonderful friend.”
Fred Light is survived by his wife, Carole, with whom he was married for 58 years.
Together, they raised two sons, Win and Rob, and were blessed with four grandchildren: Amanda, Natalie, Bridgette, and Luke.
A public viewing will be held Friday, August 15, at Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home in Honesdale.
A burial service is scheduled for Saturday morning at the Central United Methodist Church.
