OBITUARY
John "Jack" Albert Hawkins
21 August , 1941 – 26 October , 2019
John “Jack” Albert Hawkins, of Manasquan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26th surrounded by his family. Jack, “The Hawk,” was born and raised in Metuchen, later moving to Princeton where he graduated from Princeton High School in 1960, standing out as a three sport athlete. After graduation, Jack attended West Chester University (Pennsylvania) where he continued his athletic career as a quarterback for the West Chester Golden Rams. Here, he earned his Bachelors in Physical Education.
After graduation from West Chester University, Jack began his teaching career as a Physical Education Teacher at Manasquan High School, quickly becoming a staple of the Manasquan Warrior community for over 30 years. In 1968, Jack took over the reigns as the head football coach and, during his ten seasons in that position he compiled an impressive record of 81-18-2. His teams won six division titles, had three undefeated seasons and won the NJSIAA CJ Group Two State Championship in 1969. Jack was named Coach of the Year, twice by the New York Daily News and once by the Asbury Park Press. Jack was chosen to coach the Monmouth/Ocean All-Star Football Classic where he arrived in grand fashion sporting a white tuxedo with tails and chauffeured in a vintage Rolls Royce. Jack was also a successful head baseball coach at Manasquan High School from 1968-1976. During these eight seasons, Jack’s teams compiled a 100-35 record , winning four division championships, one state championship in 1969 and two Monmouth County Tournament titles. Jack was inducted into the Princeton High School Hall of Fame in 2008, the Manasquan High School Hall of Fame in 2009, the New Jersey Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991 and the New Jersey Scholastic Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012.
In addition to his success in the classroom and on the athletic field, Jack owned and operated the Be The Best You Are Coaches Clinic for 42 years, one of the largest and most successful coaching clinics of its time. Jack was an avid fisherman who loved to travel and spend time with his family and dog Buddy at the beach and at his cabin on the lake in Maine. He will always be remembered for his booming voice and boisterous laugh and will be missed by all who had the opportunity to cross paths with him.
Jack is survived by his loving wife Sara; daughter Susan Bitsko and her husband Frank Bitsko, sons Ty Hawkins and Max Hawkins; grandchildren Kaitlyn Gray and her husband Travis Gray, Alyssa Bitsko and her partner Stephen O’Malley, Todd Bitsko, Brier Hawkins, Collin Bitsko, Ty Hawkins and Kylie Bitsko; as well as great-granddaughters Keelyn, Kaeleigh, Kella, Kassidi and Kenzie Gray; and his beloved labrador retriever Buddy.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Neary Quinn Funeral Home, 39 South Street, Manasquan, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11 am at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manasquan. Entombment will follow at Atlantic View Cemetery in Manasquan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MHS Hall of Fame Coaches Scholarship with reference “In Memory of Jack Hawkins”. Checks can be sent to Vitale and Company LLC, 900 Route 71, Suite 1, Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762, c/o Tedd Vitale the Treasurer of the foundation.
DONATIONS
-
MHS Hall Of Fame Coaches
900 Route 71 Suite 1, Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey 07762
Services
- Visitation Friday, 1 November , 2019
- Visitation Friday, 1 November , 2019
- Funeral Service Saturday, 2 November , 2019
- Entombment Saturday, 2 November , 2019
Memories
John "Jack" Albert Hawkins
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYBeverly Merowchek
7 November 2019
So sad to hear about the passing of my friend and former neighbor in Brielle. I work with Jack at the start of the “Be the Best You Are” clinics and have many fond memories. My condolences to Susie and Ty, and Jack’s extended family. May he Rest In Peace.
Brian Studnicky
3 November 2019
Coach Hawkins to me was the Bear Bryant of the Jersey shore. He was my head coach for two seasons at manasquan before he retired in 1978.. his leadership and dedication to the community of manasquan New Jersey will always be an enshrinement of what a great platform for young people to build their lives upon.. prayers to his family . Especially buddy👼
Tom Isaac
30 October 2019
Coach Hawkins was my freshman baseball coach at Princeton University in 1973. I learned more about baseball from the Hawk in that short season than at any other time in my baseball career.
Years later I was so fortunate to reconnect with Coach when I started attending the Be The Best Softball Clinics for several years. One of the highlights of the weekend was always tracking the Coach down to say hi and reminisce, even if just for a couple of minutes. RIP Coach...
bob emmons
30 October 2019
Have many great memories of times spent with Jack, on the field, in and out of school. I bet you still won't call a pass play even where you are now.
Philip Schwier
30 October 2019
I was lucky to have Coach Hawkins as my coach during my 3 years on the varsity baseball team. It was his first year as a coach and he immediately instilled in his players the need to be a winner. He demanded that each player be the best they could be and play hard to win each game. His ability to get the best from each player allowed him to achieve great success as a coach and also added to the very distinguished record for sports at MHS . Thank You Coach for instilling in us the life lessons which have enabled all his players to be winners on and off the field. God Bless You. Phil Schwier - Class os 87
Elliot Morgan
29 October 2019
Mr. Hawks was a born coach. He had more passion and ability than almost anyone else.
Mr. Hawks coached us Brielle boys from birth to high school.
Mr. Hawks then switched hats and became my football coach along side the great Vic Kubu.
Mr. Hawks loved his players and would do anything for them.
I will miss Mr. Hawks.
They truly don’t make them like him anymore.
RIP
Steve Schwartz Sr.
29 October 2019
Dear Hawkins family. Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Jack. I was blessed to have known Jack as my football coach, freshmen year @ MHS, my colleague and my friend. He was a great person, amazing coach and a wonderful friend. We had the pleasure of teaching each other’s children @ MHS and his name was a household name in my house, the Manasquan school community and thousands of other households at the Jersey Shore. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. May God bless you all. Steve & Andrea Schwartz
Sharyn Robbins
28 October 2019
Years of memories from teaching with Jack, fondly the aerobics in the gym. Many too many really fun days. And what a really great guy. I know he will me missed by so many. To me invincible. Breathe easy. Bat a homer, call a touchdown play with your buddies Jake and Vic. 😢
Norm Hall
28 October 2019
Jack was one of the people who truly helped me understand how to push myself further when I thought that I could go no further in football and then in life. He was a part of what I am today.
Peter Pasquarosa
28 October 2019
My sincere condolences to the family of Jack Hawkins, his contribution to baseball has been tremendous. I attended the clinic for many years and every one of them was the “best”, RIP.
Pete Pasquarosa Massachusetts
Rich Vaccaro
27 October 2019
Jack’s vision helped grow this wonderful game of softball into a great sport and culture for young women throughout the country.
Diego Ibarra
27 October 2019
Every now and then someone bigger than the game comes into your life. Someone with a dream that transcends the diamond. Someone with a heart that embraces the underdog. Someone with the character to change the way you continue on your journey.
As creator of Be the Best, Jack Hawkins has touched more lives than he will ever know. His knowledge, insight, and support have helped build coaches, win games, and create connections. Not to mention lifelong friends.
We will forever miss our friend, Jack Hawkins, and hope that as he looks down from the great bleachers in the sky, that we make him proud as we honor his vision both on and off the field.
With love and appreciation,
Yours friends and family at Be The Best
Gary Chapman
27 October 2019
Hi all, So sorry about Dad's passing. Just learned about it on Sunday, Oct 27th. Would have been there for you guys. Living in Brick, no newspapers, old like your Dad. Pleasant memories of our friendship before I came to Manasquan. He was a great man and an unbelievable Dad and coach.
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
IN THE CARE OF