Walter "Coach D" Dlugolecki , VRHS Class of 1962
Dlugolecki, Walter T. RENSSELAER Walter T. Dlugolecki, 77, of Rensselaer, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2013, after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. Walt was born in Amsterdam on November 29, 1935. He was the son of the late Walter and Mildred Dlugolecki Myers and the stepson of the late Oscar Myers. Walt married his high school sweetheart, Mary LaConte, in 1957 and they shared nearly 56 years together. He was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam and Ithaca College, where he earned his bachelor of science degree. He was a teacher in the Rensselaer City School District for 32 years and coached several sports. Coach "D", as he was widely known, also taught driver education and had nerves of steel driving over Third Street in Rensselaer with inexperienced drivers. He was a parishioner of St John the Evangelist/St Joseph Church. Walt was a community-minded individual and was a member of the Rensselaer Knights of Columbus and the Hill Hook and Ladder Fire Company. He was instrumental in the creation of the Rensselaer Pop Warner football program. He was also an avid golfer, achieving two holes-in-one, and even enjoyed playing during the winter months when weather permitted. He was a hunter, fisherman and loyal friend to many. He loved country, bluegrass and Polish music and modern jazz. Coach "D" was well known as a vocal Boston Red Sox and San Francisco 49ers fan. He will be remembered by all whose lives he touched for his love of life and his great sense of humor. He will be truly missed. Walt was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved spending time with the family, especially holidays when he could enjoy his favorite Italian and Polish foods. In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by four children, David Dlugolecki, Kelly DeFrancesco (Bryan Fesler), Donna Faresta (Joseph) and Diane Keasbey (Timothy), and Bonnie Poole-Dlugolecki. Walt was the brother of Donna Brunt (Robert) and Thomas Myers of Amsterdam. He is also survived by six beloved grandchildren, Leanna and Ian DeFrancesco, Dayna DeGiule, Joseph Faresta, and Jacob and Rebekah Keasbey. Funeral from the W. J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave., Rensselaer on Monday, August 5, 2013 at 9 a.m and 10 a.m at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph Church on Herrick Street in Rensselaer, where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Contributions in his memory may be made to Conserns-U, 23 Academy St., Rensselaer, N.Y. or to the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Rensselaer County, 544 Broadway, Rensselaer, N.Y.