Elaine J. Sortino

1949 – 2013

HADLEY, Elaine J. Sortino, 63, of Hadley, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and loved ones on Sunday, August 18 following a courageous battle against cancer.

She was born October 28, 1949, in Yonkers, New York, the daughter of Mary Sortino and the late Peter Sortino.  A 1971 graduate of Oneonta State (N.Y.) University, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport in 1973.  Sortino began her collegiate coaching career at Yale University before moving to the University of Massachusetts in 1979. At UMass, she coached Volleyball for 8 seasons and Softball for 34 seasons.

Sortino, one of the all-time great coaches in collegiate softball, compiled a record of 1,185-508-6 while leading the UMass program to 23 Atlantic 10 regular season titles, 21 conference tournament championships, 21 NCAA tournament appearances and 3 trips to the Women’s College World Series. Her 1,185 wins places her eighth in NCAA history and seventh all-time among Division I rankings.

Sortino also served as Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator at UMass with direct oversight over several sports and numerous other Athletic Department program areas. She has also collaborated on numerous conference and national committees throughout her career.

Elaine loved life and was an avid woodworker, cook and decorator. She loved spending time on the Cape and also was a regular communicant and served as a lector at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley.

Sortino affected so many during her life both on and off the playing field and was an inspiration to numerous student-athletes, coaches and administrators throughout her career. Although she will be deeply missed, her legacy will carry on and continue for years to come.

She is survived by her mother Mary Sortino of Yonkers, NY, brother Peter and his wife Leslie of St. Louis, MO and sister Paula Celona of Yonkers, NY. She is also survived by her nephew Christopher Celona of Berkeley, CA, niece Brittney Celona of Yonkers, NY and nephew Philip Sortino of St. Louis, MO.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Brigid’s Church 122 North Pleasant Street Amherst, MA  01002 on Friday August 23, 2013 at 10:00am with burial following in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hadley. Visitation will be on Thursday August 22, 2013 from 4:00-8:00PM at the Douglass Funeral Service 87 North Pleasant Street Amherst, MA  01002.

Thanks to the outstanding medical team at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their unconditional help and support during Elaine’s courageous battle. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Elaine Sortino Softball Enhancement Fund C/O UMass Athletic Department Development Office 308 Mullins Center the University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.