Clyde Washburne

Coach Clyde Washburne, 87, of Hebron passed away at his home surrounded by his wife and children on Monday, April 2, 2018. Clyde was born July 26, 1930 in the Bronx to Edna Mae Canvin and Arthur Lewis Washburne. He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia; his three children, Leslie Wight, Hilary Dorris and Jim Washburne; six grandchildren, Nicole, Michael, Jillian, Justin, Brian, and Sarah; great grandson, Josiah; and his brother, Bryant. His wife’s mother, siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews, all who feel his absence as well. Clyde grew up in Willimantic. At a very early age his prowess as an athlete emerged. He graduated from Windham High in 1948, where he played football, baseball and basketball, and was class president his senior year. Clyde was known for his outstanding athletic abilities and his modest character. He served in the Coast Guard until 1954 and returned to his academic studies at the University of Connecticut, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957; and a Master’s degree in 1964. Clyde starting his coaching career in 1957 at RHAM High. 10 years later he started his 23-year head coaching career at Eastern Connecticut State University that involved three sports. Washburne touched the lives of hundreds of young men and women from a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds developing them into champions on and off the field. Clyde was voted Coach of the Year multiple times at Eastern, inducted into Eastern’s Hall of Fame and the Connecticut Scholastic & Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame. In 2006 Clyde was inducted as a pioneer in women’s softball into the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. In 1972 federal legislation enacted Title IX which forbid discrimination on the basis of sex. He became a very vocal and determined supporter of equality for women’s athletics. His persistence over time produced results. Clyde was a unique individual – gutsy and determined, he was “all in” and strived for the improvement of everything for which he had a passion. He often spoke his thoughts and philosophies about life through what became known as Clyde-isms. As Clyde would say, “Don’t thank me, just pass it on.” While he will be missed dearly by family, friends, colleagues and athletes he will always be admired as a man who lived an extraordinary life and thought more about others than he did himself.

A Celebration of a Life Well Lived will be held at 1:00PM on April 22, 2018 (Earth Day) at Eastern Connecticut State University in the Francis Geissler Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Covenant Soup Kitchen 220 Valley Street in Willimantic or the Eastern Connecticut State University Softball Endowment Fund in his name.

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