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XE posted a condolence
Thursday, June 20, 2019
It is my prayer that “the God of all undeserved kindness...will make you firm...will make you strong...will firmly ground you” during this time of loss. - 1 Peter 5:10
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Jack Navin Posted Jun 6, 2020 at 2:08 AM
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jack navin posted a condolence
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Coach Wilkins was the best.
He took kids with no signs of talent or potential and forged them into more than they ever hoped for or imagined. He inspired the talented to be better, quicker, faster, stronger and to work harder than they thought they could. He took misfits and made them leaders. He took the outstanding and the weak and molded them into a finely tuned machine, a deeply dedicated brotherhood striving with all their strength to reach what was impossible to attain. He dedicated his life to kids. He was completely sincere, totally committed, supremely confident and lived to impart to us a way of playing football and of living that was revolutionary.
That millions of kids have never and will never sit under his direct influence is a great tragedy. For those of us blessed to have participated on the teams he coached, we can offer to others hints of his style and whispers of his essence. Yup, he was that good; he was that special. He shook things up in our little town, He was an unexpected force, a magnitude 10 earthquake, an EF6 tornadic burst of power and energy into our lives that no one saw coming. And he was one tough, tough son of a gun.
He was the Vince Lombardi of high school football. Had he decided to move on to the collegiate or the professional levels, he would have excelled just as much or even more.
It was a treat to pray with him just before he moved on to the next world. I wish he was still here. Love ya coach. Thanks for everything
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Jack Navin Posted Jun 7, 2021 at 9:27 PM
Miss you more as time passes. Your life, though full, was cut short. It isn't right to think of you and realize you are not here. You will always be here coach. You do live on in us; it's true. People say things like that, but with you, it is a fact. In the hearts of hundreds of kids, now adults, you live on and spread your achievements through our hearts to others in some measure. You spoke often of legacy. Coach, what a legacy you passed on. I remember your influence starting when I was 13
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Jeff Pukszyn posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Moravian College Football Family sends our condolences to the entire Wilkins family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers
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jim chironna posted a condolence
Monday, June 10, 2019
Deepest sympathy to the Wilkins family. 'Coach' was a Great Man, mentor and leader of young men. I will always remember at my fathers service the kind words and the story he shared with me how my father "Coach'' Chironna was an influence on his coaching early in his amazing career dating back to 1968 when he met with my dad in Morristown at "The Cave''...
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John Landis posted a condolence
Monday, June 10, 2019
I have very fond memories of our years together at Moravian College. I played football with Doug and we were both OGO's. The two years we lived together at "Maizeys" were some of the most memorable years of my life. Doug, Frank, Art, John W, Bob and Walt made up a great crew. Doug was funny, easy going, and just a great person to be around. Looking at his obituary its clear he accomplished a great deal and did not take up space on the planet. May his life be an example for others to follow.
My condolences to his family, John
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Sanjay Iyer posted a condolence
Sunday, June 9, 2019
The passing of Mr. Doug Wilkins is a great loss for his family, for his school, and for the entire Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
I send my condolences to his three children, his son, Gord, and his daughters, Debra Becker and Anne Wilson, and five grandchildren and the rest of the family. They’ve lost a loved one, I’ve lost a friend, Mountain Lakes High School and the entire NJAC family have lost a coach and a principal who led his school and their football program with wisdom, honor, and dedication. I sent my condolences to Mr. Frank Sanchez, principal at Mountain Lakes; he too has lost a friend.
Mr. Wilkins was a true great from NJAC member schools, not just as a head football coach, but also as a principal. He provided a great deal of excellence for Mountain Lakes High School and was one of the greatest coaches in the state of New Jersey and he led one of the top high schools in the state. His wisdom, honor, and dedication exemplified the strength, caring and integrity that are essential to the roles in which he served in education.
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Jim & Mary Ellen Connolly uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, June 8, 2019
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Pictures I took after 1976 State Championship Game
My favorite Picture and My favorite coaches . . .
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Jim & Mary Ellen Connolly uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, June 8, 2019
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The only coach missing is me - behind the camera!
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Jim & Mary Ellen Connolly posted a condolence
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Dear Wilkins Family, 6 June 2019
Mary Ellen and I wanted to send you our sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of your father . . . a great man, coach, educator, father, husband and friend. Both your Mom and Dad were remarkable people Mary Ellen and I were honored to know and be able to call friends.
Our memories of sharing so many good times with your parents impacted our lives in so many positive ways. Doug and Marge were such caring and hardworking people and role models. Times spent with the Wilkins were always fun and interesting, never a dull moment!
As you well know, your Dad was an incredibly successful coach and leader and his legacy will carry on in the record books but even more importantly in the lives he touched through mentoring and coaching so many young players. He had a special gift to build confidence in his players and teams and truly develop in them positive life skills that improved their quality of life. That is a gift that keeps on giving through many generations. Your Mom helped enable your Dad’s efforts as well as build her own dynamic and caring style as an educator. When I think of your parents I truly believe they were the real “Dynamic Duo”! And they always found ways in their busy lives to have fun and enjoy life while doing great things. Incredible examples on how to live a good life for us all.
I know both your Mom and Dad faced huge health challenges these past years and even in that challenging role they were an example on how to do it right and they fought the brave fight as difficult as it was. Another example of overcoming life’s challenges that we will all face in the end game. God bless them for that. The good your Mom and Dad brought to this world and the friendship bonds they made along the way with thousands of people will ensure they live forever in the hearts and minds of those they touched.
I will always remember and picture your parents as young at heart, incredibly talented, positive, funny, and a great couple to spend time with. They were the best people to be around. Your Dad was a crazy, self-taught skier – fun to watch down a steep slope – and crash; Also a blast to watch as a basketball player, if you can picture a bull running in a gym, but he had some moves and a great shot, so fun to be on his team; Your Dad could also play a mean pin-ball bowling game at the Denbrook Bar in Denville . . . No one could beat your Dad and I . . . And we enjoyed a beer night there now and then with friends; I remember one football practice your Dad and I put on helmets and played with the team until we tackled a player and he hurt his ankle . . . We were like “oh man, bad idea” . . . But he was fine next day… we didn’t do that again; Loved the time I spent with your father on the football field or off . . . Just an incredible leader and person. He taught me how to be a better coach and leader and person. His mentoring contributed immeasurably to the success I had as a coach, parent and in a 33 year Army career. Your Dad even passed down your family’s old greenish Rambler station wagon to me . . . Even that was a good deal! Ha!
I know your Dad is in a better place now, and with Marge, so we are thankful for that. Both your parents are missed by all of us but their legacy and memories are alive and well and will be with us forever. We are better people having known them and when I think of your parents it brings back positive thoughts on how to live life right. Debbie, Lisa, Gordon, our thoughts and prayers are with you, your families and your parents. Your Mom and Dad will always be with us.
With Deepest Sympathy, Jim & Mary Ellen Connolly (634 Sommerset Rd, Woodland, WA 98674)
P.S. Attached a few old pictures from a “110 camera” didn’t have cell phones back then so not a lot of quality pictures – but still brings back the memories – and the memories we will always have . . . Some of the pics you saw from note I sent when your Mom passed . . . What a great Lady.
e
The family of Douglas C. Wilkins uploaded a photo
Friday, June 7, 2019
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