Laurence “Sparky” Rector was a decorated World War II veteran and a longtime teacher and coach in the Mexico Academy and Central School District.

Rector started the first wrestling program in Oswego County and he also devoted 30 years to coaching track, cross country, tennis, baseball and football at various points in his career.

Before working in the Mexico district, he coached several successful six-man football teams in the Adams Center district.

The wrestling room at Mexico High School is named for him. In 1985, Rector retired as the school’s athletic director.

Rector Field at the Mexico Community Park and the Rector Drop in Center at the annual State Athletic Conference are also named in his honor.

Sparky was a member of the New York State and National Athletic Directors Associations as well as a charter member of the Watertown and Syracuse Wrestling Associations.

Active in high school and college officiating, he was a member of Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association. He was active in Section Ill and served on several committees, including several terms as chairman of the track and wrestling committees.

Cpl. Rector, U.S. Army Company G, 45th U.S. Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Division, was drafted to serve in World War II in February 1943, shortly after he graduated from Mexico Academy and Central School in 1942.

He had tried to enlist, but he wasn’t accepted due to a vision problem, so he waited for the draft.

Rector spent a short time in Africa before being sent to Italy as part of the 45th Division, 2nd Battalion, Company G. Rector was in the Battle of the Caves, was almost captured as a POW, and survived several attacks.

His unit was responsible for the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau and received six Campaign Battle Stars and a Presidential Citation for 511 days of combat service.

Rector received a Purple Heart and was discharged from the Army in September 1945.

After returning home from the war, he earned his bachelor's degree from Ithaca College and certification in athletic administration from Cortland State University.

Sparky received many honors in his long career, including induction into the Section III, New York State Athletic and Mexico Alumni Halls of Fame.

He passed away in October 2023 after celebrating his 100th birthday in May. That weekend, he served as the grand marshal in Mexico’s Memorial Day parade.