Coach Peter Kurachek Obituary

Coach Peter Kurachek attended Pleasantville High School in Pleasantville, NY. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Coach Peter Kurachek.

Graduation Year	Class of 1964
Date of Passing	Oct 12, 2008
About	KURACHEK, PETER WILLIAM Peter William Kurachek "Coach" died peacefully on October 12, 2008 after 93 years of a life well lived and characterized by thankfulness. Born on All Saints Day, 1915, Peter kept close to his heart those who predeceased him: his devoted wife Louise, his dear son Michael, parents Peter and Katherine, and brothers, George and John. He is survived by his son Peter (wife Mary), daughter Mary (husband Terry Quiggins), and son Stephen (wife Mary); grandchildren Kathy Kurachek, Jennifer (husband Josh) Kenchel, Amy (husband Richard) Miller, Michael (wife Angela) Quiggins and Sarah (fiancé Ryan Lodgaard), Sam and Peter Kurachek; and great-grandchildren Emma and Stella Kenchel ; and Carter and Kellen Quiggins. Peter was a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky where he received a Master's degree in education. He attended the U of K on a football scholarship, revered the opportunity of a college education, and belonged to the honorary education fraternity, Phi Kappa Delta . He enjoyed reminding us that college in his day cost fifty dollars a semester! During World War II Peter served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Corps readying young men for combat. For 32 years he was a successful teacher, high school football coach, and athletic director in Pleasantville, NY. He was a lifelong member of the New York State Teacher's Association and the American Football Coaches Association. Peter's teams reflected his life: well prepared, disciplined and passionate. He loved the camaraderie of fellow coaches of all sports and the exuberance of his young players. He connected with them. He understood them and he understood his role as a teacher and the responsibility of helping boys on their trajectory to manhood. His teams won a lot of games and he was fond of saying, "Loses are owned by coaches, wins belong to the team." His players loved him as did their parents and years into retirement he would reflect, "Some of my best players never took the field. They were managers or substitutes. Young people who just wanted to be part of something larger than themselves." He received numerous coaching awards culminating in the "Distinguished American Award" bestowed upon him by the Westchester Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Peter and Louise retired to Florida, toured the country, and visited Europe. They helped many of the aged people around them and when his loving wife passed in 1984 he moved to Minnesota to be with family. In recent years, Peter found a spiritual home at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (IHM) in Minnetonka where he was befriended by many parishioners. Peter's smile, gentle heart, kindness and loyalty will be missed by all who knew him. From Jimmy Sullivan: Very few people in this life can be remembered as fondly and admirably by as many friends as Coach Kurachek. He and Toni Sabella were cornerstones of P'Ville high and countless lives. The number of people they will be missed by, as well as the number of times they will be remembered, gives us a glimpse into the pertinance of there lives and lessons. Not only a life, but an entire era has passed.

Classmate Memories

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Jim Walsh '74 said:

Coach Kurachek lives on. His grit, humor and calm in the face of adversity are models that I've shared with my children. And I'm hopeful they will in turn share those lessons with their own children. Coach was honest; fair and had a heart of lion. I regret having heard after the fact of his induction into the Hall of Fame and of his death. Coach was part of the "Greatest Generation." May his spirit continue to motivate us to be a little bit better every day. Rest in peace.

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Paul Nathe '65 said:

They were inspirational for young men. They toughened us up without ever being too tough on us. Exceptional leaders.

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