If the late President Ronald Reagan was known as “The Great Communicator,” then Haig Varadian — who died on June 21 at the age of 81 — was surely “The Great Conciliator.” No one I ever observed in my years as a Journal high school sports writer was more adroit at mediating conflicts among disparate factions. It was an admirable gift.

Varadian was, of course, mostly known as a longtime school administrator and coach in Cranston. His half-century’s association with wrestling earned him the title of “Father of Rhode Island Wrestling.” But for some 25 years he was also executive director of the New England Council, a group of principals and administrators charged with — among other things — holding regional sports competitions.

I got to know Haig Varadian through my covering these events: innumerable New England cross country, indoor and outdoor track championships, and a fair share of regional wrestling meets as well. In these settings, I got to see Varadian at his negotiator’s best.

Administrating high school athletics, just on a state level, is a veritable juggling act; coaches, athletic directors, officials, parents, principals, all with agendas unique to that particular group. I could only imagine what it must have been like to multiply all those concerns by six states! Which state gets to host what event? And when? Who will officiate what? Will each state’s Council representative be properly represented? And none of this takes into account handling the financial end of things.

Over time, it became clear to me that Haig Varadian was the perfect N.E. Council chief. With elan and youthful vigor, he managed to stay on top of everything.

Of course, he sometimes had to take unpopular positions. When, for example, heavy rains threatened the 1998 New England Outdoor Track Championships (which were held that year at Brown Stadium), Varadian made the decision to cancel the event until the following weekend. Many coaches, who had traveled from other states, were naturally unhappy with that call. Some, I remember, were downright angry. But the rains that day never did let up. Varadian was sorry, but his concern was for the safety of the participants, nothing more.

On more than one occasion I saw him confronted by parents upset over some matter or other. Varadian, I suppose, could have demurred and sent the ruffled mom or dad off to see their own state official. But that wasn’t Haig. Problems that arose at these affairs were ultimately his problems. Always the gentlemen, he’d patiently listen to the gripe, then try to remedy it. His decision may not always have pleased one side or the other, but rarely was a bitter taste left.

And it was, I recall, Haig Varadian who coaxed Maine back into the New England championship fold. Years before, Maine had withdrawn from regional competition, but Varadian spearheaded the drive to get that state back into the picture.

Varadian was also a colorful “character.” He closely followed world and national events, and had strong opinions on whatever transpired. Politically, I guess he was a liberal. A World War II veteran, Haig would always comment on my editorial- page pieces as they pertained to Japan. He generally liked them, but would not hesitate to offer criticism if he thought I was off-base.

In other words, Haig Varadian was an honest guy. He called things as he saw them. In running the New England Council he held a firm hand. But where kids were concerned, it was a hand gloved in velvet.

Bob Leddy retired as a sports writer for the Journal in 2001.