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For more than four decades, David Geary was a steady presence along the sidelines and courtside of sporting events at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Grade School in Hinsdale.

“He was the face of St. Isaac Jogues,” said former student and athlete Scott Spinazola, Class of 1978. “He was that person everybody knew and respected.”

Geary, 73, who retired from St. Isaac Jogues in 2006, died of cancer Aug. 17 in his La Grange home.

Clad in a standard uniform of rolled-up khakis and a green pullover, the longtime athletic director, coach and gym teacher was easy to spot as he’d pace back and forth, brimming with enthusiasm and emotional energy that made lasting impressions on generations of students.

“He taught us sportsmanship, as well as the basic fundamentals of honesty, fairness and respect for others,” said Brian Moran, a physician and 1973 graduate. “He coached me in football and basketball, and then when I had my own family, taught all four of my kids those same valuable lessons.”

Those coached by Geary say he was as quick to hug a player as he was to chew them out.

“It’s been 30-some years, and I still remember how he’d talk to us just like a parent would,” said Paul “P. H.” Naffah, Class of ’84. “This guy made us laugh, cry and get angry — and sometimes all in one practice. He made us feel like we had real potential, that we could do great things, even if we didn’t believe it ourselves at the time.

“There are people that come into your life and have such massive impact on you that it ends up shaping the person you become,” said Naffah, drummer for the Arizona-based band Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. “Coach Geary was one of those people for me. His influence extended far beyond the football field and still resonates to this day.”

After graduating from Lewis University in 1964, Geary joined the faculty at St. Isaac Jogues as a physical education teacher and coach. For two years, his classes and team practices took place in the school’s basement, until an addition was built that included a new gymnasium.

“Believe me, the last thing you wanted to do was get caught by the coach walking around the gym in your street shoes,” Peter Fasano, Class of ’78, and owner of Chicago area-based Fasano Pie Co., recalled with a laugh. “That gym was his baby, his pride and joy.”

During his tenure at the school, Geary also developed a girls athletic program, created an intramural sports program that allowed all students to play regardless of their ability and led the football team to two Catholic League youth championships.

His goal was to turn out students “who are not all angels” but would leave eighth grade with high academic standards and personal values, Geary told the Tribune in 1991.

In 1987, Geary, confirmed bachelor, married a nurse with two children.

“Dave could always make me laugh,” said Peggy, his wife of 29 years. “But what impressed me most was his straightforwardness. He was so honest about everything.”

Born in Chicago and raised in La Grange, Geary was a young boy when his father died. He was sent to a Catholic military boarding school in Muskogee, Okla. For holidays, he’d take the train home and was often seated next to soldiers who were traveling to and from military bases. They watched over him and kept him company.

“He loved riding home with those soldiers,” his wife said. “They took him under their wings and made him feel like one of the guys.”

Geary returned home after four years and attended St. Joseph Military Academy in La Grange Park, before graduating from St. Procopius Academy, now Benet Academy.

“It wasn’t the easiest childhood, but he was so grateful to have had some really good people looking out for him,” his wife said.

After Geary retired from St. Isaac Jogues, the school’s gymnasium was renamed Coach Geary Court. “That alone meant the world to him,” his wife said.

Geary later went on to a second career at Nazareth Academy, where he helped support the school’s athletic department and stayed on through two recent state high school championships before retiring in 2013.

“It was always about us, never about him,” said Spinazola, who is bureau chief for training and safety for the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District. “He wanted everybody to be a leader, and he gave us the tools to become one.”

Other survivors include a stepson, Fred Beinkampen; a stepdaughter, Rene Miceli; four step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

Services were held.

Joan Giangrasse Kates is a freelance reporter.