Jan. 25, 2012

UMass Hall of Fame member and the men's soccer program's first-ever All-American Granville Pruyne passed away last Wednesday, Jan. 18, after living to see his 100th birthday in November. A native of Pittsfield, Mass., Pruyne was the last surviving member of the original UMass soccer team which formed in 1930. Following his time at UMass, Pruyne worked for General Electric and as a teacher in Western Massachusetts.

Funeral services will be held today, Wednesday, Jan. 25 at South Congregational Church. Donations in his memory may be made to the HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the Wellington Funeral Home, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA.

Pruyne was inducted into the UMass Hall of Fame in 2003 as the first representative of the soccer program.

He became UMass' first All-American in the sport as a senior in 1932. A dominating defensive player who marked the oppostion with great speed, Pruyne led UMass to a 6-0 record as junior, giving up just three goals all year. During his All-America season of 1932, the team went 4-1.

In addition to earning three letters in soccer, Granville received two in track & field, one as the team's captain in 1933.

At the time of his induction into the Hall of Fame, Pruyne said, "I can not express in words what being inducted into the Hall of Fame means. It is the biggest moment of my life. My daughter graduated from this school. I have three boys and the youngest graduated from this university. And I am proud of them. It was a great school when I was here and it is even better now."

As part of the 75th Anniversary of the UMass soccer team, former broadcaster Bob Behler interviewed Pruyne at his home.

Granville Pruyne Obituary:
Granville S. Pruyne 1911 - 2012 PITTSFIELD Granville S. Pruyne, 100, formerly of Egremont Ave., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, at his son's home in Lenox with his family by his side. Granville was an Eagle Scout, Father, All American soccer player, teacher, golfer, home builder and lifelong student. Born Nov. 23, 1911, in Pittsfield, son of Myron H. and Florence G. Sharp Pruyne, he was a 1929 graduate of Pittsfield High School, a 1933 graduate of the University of Massachusetts. While at UMASS, in the fall of 1932 he was the first person to be named All American in the school's history; he also was the co-captain of the track team, and captain of the relay team, and soccer team and received his M.S. from Wesleyan University in 1958. Granville was the last surviving member of the original UMASS soccer team. At his induction in the UMASS Hall Of Fame, he was designated as their athlete of the decade for the 1930s. Mr. Pruyne started his career in education in the Lee public school system. In 1936 he went to General Electric and was employed there for 15 years; in 1948 he returned to education, working in the Pittsfield public school system, and in 1957, he started his employment at Miss Hall's School until 1960, when he went to teach at Dalton Junior High School; then, in 1963, he went to teach at Lenox High School until his retirement in 1977. After his retirement he continued his work of educator by being a private tutor for 18 years. Starting in 1950, he worked part-time at Besse-Clarke's clothing store until its closure. He was a member of the South Congregational Church. Granville was an excellent golfer at both the Berkshire Hills Country Club and the Country Club of Pittsfield; his handicap was 6 and he took pride in the fact that he shot his age 300 plus times. He coached hockey at the various schools where he taught, coached hockey and soccer at Cranwell Prep in Lenox and coached and taught golf in Lenox. He was at one time the president of the Town Players. Granville married the former Elizabeth S. Pierce March 12, 1932; she passed away April 18, 1999. He leaves his wife, Jeanne Sheely; daughter, Jean E. Smyser of Amherst; sons, Peter G. Pruyne of Lenox, Lt. Col. Kermit K. Pruyne USAF retired of Washington; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers, Myron Eugene Pruyne and Thurlow A. Pruyne, son Eric R. Pruyne, and grandsons Patrick Pruyne and David Smyser. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Mr. Granville S. Pruyne will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 2 pm at the South Congregational Church, with the Rev. Joel S. Huntington, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Village Cemetery in West Stockbridge, MA. Calling hours will be the day of the service from noon until 2 pm at the South Congregational Church. Donations in his memory may be made to the HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thoughts and wishes for the family may be emailed to condolences@wellingtonfuneralhome.com.