Some might say that after a year-long battle with cancer, Chris Bond finally succumbed to the disease earlier this month. Those who knew him, however - whether one of the thousands of youth soccer players whose lives he helped shape, the hundreds of coaches who learned alongside him, or the uncountable number of those who were influenced by his passion for life - know that it was not in Bond's nature to succumb to anything.

Right up until the cancer took his life on Sept. 5, Bond was actively engaged in the local soccer scene, checking in regularly on the teams and players with whom he had worked prior to his retirement in 2005, and allowing anyone with a question and time to spare the opportunity to learn from one of the area's most passionate and knowledgeable educators.

Few individuals have done as much for youth soccer in the New York West region over the past 30 years. After founding the Trumansburg High School program in 1977, Bond established several area youth teams and leagues, including a number of U12 travel teams in the Broome County League.

For all of his accomplishments as a coach, however, it was Bond's passion for education - whether teaching soccer, high-school physics, or imparting life-long values - that set him apart from his peers.

"Chris has touched thousands of lives through his long career in soccer," says Bill Coon, Acting President of the Taughannock Soccer Club. "Chris literally brought soccer to Trumansburg about 30 years ago and was widely recognized as a model of sportsmanship, which he passed along to all his players."

Bond's contributions to area youth soccer were honored Sept. 15 in a memorial service at the high school whose program he helped create 30 years ago, following an IAC match between Trumansburg and Newark Valley, at which a tree was dedicated in Bond's name.

"NY West has indeed lost a great friend and supporter in the passing of Chris Bond," says NYW Director of Public Affairs Sandy Ostebo. "I attended several coaching clinics with Chris, and it was always clear to me that he not only had a great passion for the game, but that he truly loved working with kids. For years, his focus was on the Trumansburg High School program, but he fully realized the value of a youth program in the community, and thanks to his efforts the Taughannock Soccer Club was started about four years ago with Chris as President."

"Our best wishes go to his immediate family, and to his extended Trumansburg 'family'."