In Memoriam
Donald E. Howard Jr.
1941-2024
(Photo Provided)
COOPERSTOWN—Donald E. Howard Jr., formerly of Cooperstown, died on June 9, 2024 after a brief battle with liver cancer.
Don was born in Albany on July 11, 1941, to Donald E. Howard and Ruth Frisbie Howard. He grew up in Schoharie and graduated from Schoharie Central School in 1959. In high school he was a soccer goalie, played basketball and ran track, helping the school win its first team county track title in 1959.
Don attended Union College and graduated in 1963 with a BA in history. He lettered in volleyball and was a member of Delta Phi Fraternity. He then attended SUNY Oneonta to finish his graduate work for teaching.
In 1964 he was hired to teach seventh- and eighth-grade history at Cooperstown Central School. Later, he taught a senior elective in psychology for 13 years. In 1994 he was named Teacher of the Year. After teaching for 36 years he retired in 2000. Don loved eighth graders for their spirit and willingness to learn. He had a vast knowledge of American history and liked to tell stories that made history feel real and exciting. He was beloved by his students.
While Don enjoyed teaching and working with his students, his real passion was in coaching. A lifelong “sports nut,” he coached junior high basketball, starting the program in 1964, JV basketball, Jr. High track, starting the program in the spring of 1965, cross country, and varsity track and field. In 1969, he teamed with varsity coach Dick White to run a highly successful basketball program for over 25 years. He had three undefeated JV seasons among his 13 league championships.
Don coached junior high track until 1971. He then took over varsity track when the founder of CCS track and field, Bill Eldridge, retired. Running on an egg shaped, six corner, cinder track was a challenge, but his athletes performed well and became very competitive. In 1979, after 33 years of track and field at CCS, the team finally won its first Center State Conference title. After 423 dual meet victories, winning nine more league titles, three sectional titles, and having one State champion, Joe Senchyshyn, Don retired in 2007. While he enjoyed the competition of the sports that he coached, he most cherished the lasting friendships of his many former athletes. He was selected to the CCS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.
After living in Cooperstown for 49 years, Don and his wife, Doris, moved to their camp on Great Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks and spent their winters in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Don had many interests and hobbies. He was an avid underdog rooter, as evidenced by being a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, a diehard Mets fan, and a Jets, Nets and NY Rangers fan. He also enjoyed fishing, kayaking, golf and a lifelong hobby of collecting baseball cards.
Don is survived by his beloved wife, Doris, of 44 years, a great support through his teaching, coaching and living. Surviving children are Kelly (Howard) Kerner and husband Chris, of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Todd Howard and wife Jennifer, of Cooperstown, Scott Crain and wife Hope, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Marcia Marcia Marcia (Crain) Prasch and husband Rich, of Boise, Idaho, and Susan Crain of Boise, Idaho. Grandchildren include Clark Kerner and wife Gloria, of Manassas, Virginia, Anastasia (Kerner) LaMarca and husband John, of Bowdoinham, Maine, Jack Howard, Brianna Crain, Gavin, Ian and Jane Prasch, Andrew Ready, and Alex Ready. Great-grandchildren include Jack and Tommy LaMarca, and Reagan Kerner.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in the Nicholas J. Sterling Auditorium at the Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School, with the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Orth, pastor of the Mayfield Central Presbyterian Church, officiating. Immediately following the service there will be a time to visit with the Howard family.
Contributions in Don’s name may be made to Mayfield Central Presbyterian Church, 22 North Main Street, Mayfield, NY 12117 and Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
My condolences to the Howard family. Don was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. I wasn’t lucky enough to have him for a teacher, I missed him by a year. He was a man of integrity, loyalty and amazing dedication to CCS, a true gentleman. RIP, Don.
Sincerely,
Kevin Grady
Doris and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Don was a wonderful neighbor. He always had a smile and a nice hello for everyone. May God Bless you each one in all the days ahead.
He was a wonderful teacher.So truly sorry for your loss
Doris and family, Joe and I are so saddened to hear this sad news. Our children all had Don as a teacher and coach. He was a man of great wisdom. His students loved him. A kind considerate mam. So happy you had these forty some years together. Hugs and prayers to all of you. See you in September 🙏🏻❤️
Our sincerest condolences for this huge loss. I met Don when I worked at the NBHOF and he worked as a Redcoat! He was always so kind and supportive. He certainly left this world a better place. Carina & Patrick
My father was a fellow social studies teacher and coach at Cooperstown Highschool and a long time friend of Mr. Howard. My sister, brother and I were all his students. I still remember that 80s era overhead projector he used and how much fun he made American history. I was sad to hear of his passing and offer my condolences to his family. My parents do as well. They are not tech savvy so they haven’t been able to figure out how to do it themselves but my dad and mom cared for and respected Mr. Howard. He was a wonderful person, teacher and friend.