BILL KUBINSKI

Bill Kubinski, Educator and Coach, Bids Fond Farewell at 79.

William Louis Kubinski, one of the longest serving Brunswick City Schools educators and coaches died on Monday, March 1, 2021.

His career spanned nearly four decades starting in 1964 as an elementary teacher at Brunswick's Towslee Elementary School leading to roles as principal at Crestview and Hickory Ridge Elementary followed by director of athletics and physical education when he helped to create the Pioneer Conference. Along the way, he took on numerous coaching assignments from junior high to high school leading teams in football, basketball and track & field. Sports played a large part in his life and role as an educator. It was his belief that sport provided invaluable life lessons - win, lose, pick yourself up, work hard and strive for greatness.

His tenure with Brunswick culminated with the role as assistant superintendent for personnel, a role that allowed him to help shape the future of Brunswick education for years to come. It was during this time where he had the opportunity to help develop the program to recruit, hire and develop the future educators making teaching and teachers his highest priority.

He formally retired from the profession in 2002 however his legacy continues on in the student-athletes, teachers, colleagues and community he touched and truly believed in. Special thank you to Jack Willets, Gene Christian, Jim Hayas, Judy Kirsch and Connie Eskensen, and the people of Hickory Ridge who were an inspiration along his educational journey. He is especially grateful to the lifetime of friendship and learning he shared with John McGowan.

Bill was born on October 14, 1941 and raised in Adena, a proud coal-mining town in southern Ohio. The son of William and Adeline (Stankiewicz) Kubinski was a standout student-athlete at Adena High School where he excelled in the classroom and led the Golden Wave in football, basketball and track. It was a small town life full of aspiration but also foundational in shaping his beliefs that anything was possible if you work at it. His Adena legacy lives on with his brother, Don, and sister, Frances, nieces and nephews.

He attended Wittenberg University in Springfield and graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964. He played some football for the perennially strong Tigers however injury sidelined his personal athletic endeavors. He joined Alpha Tau Omega which led to his job as houseboy at Delta Zeta where he was introduced to Nancy Esterle, a native of Sharon Center. They married on November 21, 1964. She took him home to Sharon where they worked together as teachers and, more significantly, parents enjoying a lifetime of love lasting nearly 57 years.

Along those 57 years, Bill and Nancy raised two sons, Steve and Mike, and welcomed Sandrine and Laura into the family. The five grandchildren were perhaps his greatest accomplishment. While Bill was an exceptional educator and exemplary coach, it was family where he really left his mark. He loved being a dad and even more so a grandfather where he took all those years of inspiring youth and focused it. Lucie, Julia, Matt, George and Louis were fortunate for their time together although he would say he was the fortunate one.

Throughout life, Bill was selfless, devoted and perhaps the nicest person one could meet. He made time to talk, teach and coach anyone who wanted to listen, learn and improve. He truly believed in people and their potential. For him it was, "the people who make the difference."

To further his life's work, the Kubinski family will honor his commitment to education and athletics through the William L. Kubinski Student-Athlete Scholarship awarded to individuals who excel in the classroom, on the field of play and, most importantly, will pursue a college degree in education. The scholarship will be awarded annually to student-athletes of both Brunswick and Highland High Schools.

Friends may join the family for visitation for Bill on March 20, 2021 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services 3477 Medina Road (Corner of Rte 18 & River Styx Rd) Medina, Ohio. Facial coverings are required. Please observe recommended social distancing guidelines.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the William L. Kubinski Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund at either the Brunswick Education Foundation 3643 Center Road, Brunswick, Ohio 44212 or The Highland Foundation 3880 Ridge Road, Medina, Ohio 44256.

The Kubinski family would also like to recognize the compassionate care and personal touch provided to Bill by the staff of Brookdale Senior Living (Medina South) and his personal physician, Dr. Lisa Esterle. Thank you for the extra effort to make Bill's final years peaceful and positive.



Dr. Carlson's Remarks - A Celebration for Bill Kubinski
3/20/21

Thank you for gathering with us today to remember the life and celebrate the legacy of Bill Kubinski - teacher, coach, friend, husband, father and grandfather. Today presents all of us with a certain sadness - the loss of a good man - however it also provides us with the chance to celebrate a great life - lived - and the legacy he leaves.

I knew Bill as my teacher and coach. I was a student and athlete - learning from and playing for him. It was the beginning of his long career at Brunswick. A place he would call home for nearly four decades. A place where he would leave his mark on so many students, athletes, colleagues and where he forged friendships that lasted a lifetime. I remember him as one of the nicest, most generous, dedicated and stoically inspiring people I have had the chance to meet. Today, I am both saddened and honored to share this moment with all of you.

The Adena Chapter. Kubinski Kind. Kubinski Tough.

Nice, kind and generous seem to be a consistent theme in describing Bill. His boyhood home of Adena often referred to him as nice and tough (and perhaps a bit of a ladies man) - "a wonderful guy" who is "just the kind of boy everyone likes." "A very good looking guy who can get any girl he wants" followed by the winking admonition: "Only one thing, take it easy on the girls."

Apparently, Bill's kindness belied a certain intensity and commitment he brought to life. "He was an unstoppable halfback" who was "taped and wrapped with an inch thick protective material, at game time, as he suffered a hit on his kidney the week before. He played an outstanding game that night. Kubinski tough." One night of grit and determination. A lifetime of toughness.

Adena was "like an extended family. If you did well, everyone knew it - if you messed up, likewise everyone knew that too. Kids played touch football in the streets and in
neighborhood yards, and they rode bicycles through town yards."

The early years. The Adena years. Bill was shaped by them. Bonding with his brother, Don (who can share stories that would fill a novel of the two of them taking on the town) and nurturing the younger sister, Frannie, as she grew up. William and Adeline, mother and father, sacrificed and laid the foundation for the future. Formative years. The Adena chapter. Kubinski kind. Kubinski tough.

Wittenberg: From the Gridiron to Fraternity Row. The Houseboy Chapter.

College was not for everyone during this time especially for the small, working-class towns dotting the Ohio Valley, however his father made it his highest priority. So, Bill attended Wittenberg University in Springfield and set in motion the rest of his life's story. He played some football for the perennially strong Tigers until an injury sidelined him. Adversity and anguish on the athletic field did not stop him though. It was a lesson he used to shape his future as coach and in the classroom. Kubinski tough. Kubinski kind.

During his time at Wittenberg, Bill joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity which happened to lead to his job as houseboy at the Delta Zeta sorority - a perfect place for him to fully display his boyish charm and way with the ladies. It was during this time as "house boy" that he was introduced to Nancy Esterle, a classmate and native of Sharon Center. Flash forward, they both graduated with their Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964. They married on November 21, 1964 (Nancy must have heard the "stories" of Bill's reputation as "the very good looking guy who can get any girl he wants." and quickly sealed the deal).

She took him home to Sharon where they built a home, started their careers together and continued to work together as teachers and, more significantly, as parents enjoying a lifetime of love lasting nearly 57 years. Another chapter or more aptly, chapters galore.

The Legacy Chapter: As Educator and Coach

Bill's passion was teaching and serving as a mentor to so many - in the classroom, in the hallway and on the field of play. I know he loved his career as a teacher as I bore witness to it. He was selfless and inspiring. To his student-athletes, I know it was a pleasure for him to teach and coach you. Pass or fail. Win or lose. It does not truly matter in the end as long as you pursued your efforts with passion. He cared about you and pushed you to always strive for excellence in everything you do and lead a life of kindness, curiosity and compassion.

His tenure with Brunswick City Schools left quite a mark. He was incredibly proud to be a part of the team and gave so much personally and professionally over nearly four decades. It was his privilege to be a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, administrator and friend to so many people who make up the Brunswick education family. I know he is thankful to his staff at Hickory Ridge Elementary, Jack Willets, Jim Hayas, Gene Christian, Judy Kirsch and Connie Eskensen. He is especially grateful to his friendship - started at Brunswick and shared for a lifetime - with John McGowan.

The Legacy Chapter: As Husband, Father and Grandfather

Bill loved every minute of his time with family - starting one, raising one and watching it grow. Mike and Steve, you made him a proud father and father-in-law of two exceptional women, Laura and Sandrine. More importantly, you made him a grandfather of five incredible grandchildren. It is with these five grandchildren - his greatest joy and accomplishment - that Bill entered a time in his life where he could fully display his innate talent at making kids laugh and enjoy life limitlessly.

Lucie, Matt and Julia, he loved being a part of your life and getting the time together to see you grow into young adults - running, dancing, screaming, sports and more. Always remember

Disney, Hilton Head and the places in between. Enjoy college. Leave a mark. Be tough. Be kind.

George and Louis, he welcomed you into the world and shared some of it with you - not long enough for his liking. However, while he may not be here physically, he lives on in spirit. He will always be with you on the field of play and in the classroom - literally and figuratively. Keep your eye on the ball, swing for the singles and strive for "A+ 100's"...and pay attention to the small stuff that leads to big things. Play and live life with all your heart.

To Nancy, his wife and best friend. You had an amazing 57 years. Highs, lows. Peaks, valleys. You had it all. You found each other at Wittenberg. Started your careers together at Brunswick. Made a home in Sharon Center. Raised an amazing family and welcomed five grandchildren into this world. Together. You made it happen. Your love and togetherness will live on forever.

Prologue: The Life Lived. Bill's Legacy.

My message today:

Remember Bill as the man in full. Do not mourn this moment. Always take time to listen. Be a teacher, coach, mentor and role model for people helping them navigate life and pursue it to its fullest expression. Educating and coaching were his passion, he could do it forever. Being a parent and grandparent, the extension of his passion, filled him with limitless love.

Lead a life dedicated to listening, learning and striving to be better - see things through to the end. Be kind. Be generous. Be tough. Be like Bill.

This is Bill's legacy.

"Your daily walk alongside children has taught them how to walk, and your example...where to walk. Your footprints will be the stepping stones to their future." (The Master Teacher)

Thank you, Bill.