USA Fencing

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois coaching legend Maxwell "Mac" Garret died Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in Florida. He was 95 years old.

The funeral service will be Friday, April 12 at 1:45 pm at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel (5808 West Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, Fla.). Garret will be interred April 12 at 3 pm at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens (11520 State Road 7), Boynton Beach, FL). Maxwell (Mac) Garret, born Max Goldstein on April 18, 1917, was the eldest of three children of Russian born parents. He lived most of his early years in Manhattan (near Harlem) and later in East Bronx. He received his high school education at Townsend Harris High School, a preparatory school of City College of New York. Mac attend CCNY from 1934-39 and received a bachelor's degree in education with a major in physical education. At CCNY, he was a varsity fencer and was captain of the 1939 team. He was a candidate for the 1940 U.S. Olympic Foil team, however, World War II was in progress, and no Olympic competition took place. Garret was named the fencing coach at Illinois in 1940 and continued his graduate work until March 1942 when he received his master's degree. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force, graduating from Officers Candidate School in 1943 and serving four years in the military. Garret was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain... more>