I am sorry to think this memorial will disappear.  There are so many 'kids' who haven't learned of your passing yet!  We were so blessed to have you in our lives.  I remember noticing the sunset was coming and pounding down the street in order to help you take down the flag and fold it.  You taught me how to do it, with reverence, and to never let it touch the ground.  We all love you, Coach.  God be with you.

Don:  I found your name in the retired teacher's bulletin. It was sad to read that you passed on and uncanny that the week before, I wondered if you ever retired to Florida. Although I did not work with you for long (being sent to Whittier Playground) It didn't take me long to learn that your playground was a second "home"for many Chicago kids. You were their teacher, coach, father, and provider.  You fed, clothed and counceled hundreds. Your endless collection of Sports memorabilia left us in awe Looking back Coach,  YOU were the Sports Hall Of Fame. Testimonies from your kids and their families says it all.  Your motto was "NEVER QUIT" . RIP Coach! 
Respectfully, Teach   (Judy King & Kelly) 1983-2004

To the Biernat Family. I still and will always remember you "COACH" if it weren't for you and all the things you instilled in us as youths who knows where we would be. I for one thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll never forget how you brought the neighborhood together and celebrated life. Pickardfest was one of the moments I'll never forget. The Inner City Sports Hall Of Fame. Volleyball, Softball Basketball and Football Tournaments. If there is someone in heaven that needs instruction, theyve got theyre man in you COACH. The Lord is first. My friends are second. I am third.

My sympathy and prayers go out to Don's family.  For 14 summers that I played at Pickard Playground, Don put up with our antics from the summer basketball league.  But year end, year out he was there, putting in the time.  I appreciate his hard work.  

Note to family:  I know Don used to film all the basketball games.  If you are at all interested in letting go of them, I would be happy to take some of them.  You can contact me at philip.wlosinski@cna.com

Thank you and God Bless Don!

To coach, a great man who we cared for so much in our hearts. We thank you for everything you have done for our family. We will miss you tremendously. We can not even count all the memories that our family shared with you. We are honor to have met the greatest Hall of Famer of all. R.I.P Lost but not forgotten.

April 19, 2012

God Bless the Coach. He never sought recognition for his kindness. His leadership in the community was legendary. Coach Don never tired of helping others. He set a great example for the kids he coached. We all lost a great friend.

The Howe Family

For our Coach ~ God has created a special place for you in his home to return to you all the wonderful things you did for us kids as we were growing up. In my heart and my memories forever. Rest peacefully. XO

Some of my fondest memories of childhood are the times I spent with my cousins and you. Playing on the new Soldier Field astroturf, meeting Minnie Minoso and Ted Williams (who signed my Sears Ted Williams glove...where is that glove, btw? lol).  Rest in peace, Uncle Don! Say hello to my Mom up there!

Thanks Coach! Your memory lives in the lives of all the young men and women that past through the 'hall of fame' ...I am who I am because of coach. From softball,basketball and even boxing we had our first taste of organized sports and he helpped us feel as though we all can be pro's one day! Thank for teaching me how to swing a bat coach! With all our admiration... The Miranda's

 Words could not express  what u did for are community u where a wonderful person u saw good in every person u met u will be missed a great deal. R.I.P

What do you say about a man that gave as much of himself as he possibly could,I grew up there and it wasn't a great area but we made due with what we had, and he gave us alot of great memories,I still have a tape of when I played in the Softball tournaments he had in the Summer, we always knew we could count on Coach for different  sports activities,he was the only one that kept us from getting in the gangs ,if it wasn't for him there would've been more young people lost to gangs. Thanks Coach for the memories,Chicago has lost a great man.I'm not living in area anymore but still consider it home

So sad news may coach Don R.I.P wil forever b Remembered by so many as a beautiful caring person.All of us who went to pickard school will forever have yu in our hearts

To the man that saved the lives of many children.  Thanks for always being there for us and teaching us how to respect one another.  You are the essence of what a true man should be.

God blessed us all with your presence Coach. I am honored to be in one of your pictures posted online here. Pickard Playground & Coach will always be mentioned in the same sentence for many years to come because of your hard work & friendship to all. My deepest condolences go out to the Biernat Family. I would like to let them know that it's ok to grieve at this time but they should hold their heads up high, for Don was truly someone very special

May this Eternal light always Burn, to remind us of the great things you have done for our families and community.
RIP and continue to look upon the Kids!

God Bless Coach.  We were fortunate to be neighbors, sort-of related :), and to have Coach share his time and interests with us.  His photo should be in the dictionary for the definition of a "coach."  Coach took us kids to parks to go sledding, skating, and out to eat pizza or burgers, and I am sure our mother didn't have to come up with a dime.  I can remember getting in and out of his van for various trips.  He was generous with his time, money, respect, and kindness.  For little kids without a father, he was a wonderful role model.  His attempt to make our little community better by bringing in the Sporting Hall of Fames to the Pickard field house was amazing, and when the fire happened, my heart was broken for his pain.  He always gave more than he got but was satisfied when we kids did our best.  He never gave up on us.  Thank you, Coach, for all the wonderful memories and for being you.  We were so lucky to have you!

God bless his family left behind.  May your memories comfort you.

RIP Coach!! This was a good man who truly cared about kids! From Pickard to Janura Park he just wanted kids (and when we grew up- Adults) to have fun playing sports.  You will always hold a special place in the hearts of thousands of people for all that you gave to them.  I know that if there is a playground in heaven that you will be coaching kids there.

Thank you for all of the years Coach. You are a true saint, and you will be missed!! The Pilsen neighborhood has lost a true role model for the kids!! RIP COACH.....Mark Corona(Chicago, IL)

I am so saddened to hear of your passing my condolence to the family. I have nothing but good memories of you Coach!! You will truly be missed and thanks for all that you did to make our childhood the best!!! May you rest in Paradise.

It seems like it was just yesterday I would see you running in and out of the field house with sweat all over your face. You were someone that children need in their lives I was fortunate to be there in that era to experience all your hardd work you did for us!

God Bless you Coach. You were such a great person to know.  You always made time for anyone of us.  I truly loved going to the field house every day just to talk to you.  I will always be thankful for you teaching me how to defend myself and play every sport.Thank you for giving us your time and dedication to better ourselves.  You truly were an inspriation us all!!!  You will be missed by many

Coach you were such a great role model for our students and community children. You will be missed! Ms. Michele Govea

GOD Bless his soul. One of the few who cared about the community & helped make after school fun with sports & programs for everyone growing up in pilsen. Thanks for everything Coach, GOD Bless your family in their time of need.

Whenever there's a reference made about you, I'll always remember about my days of when I attended Josiah Little Pickard School, and I, as many, would walk the vintage hallways at that time.  You were able to get an amazing panoramic view from Cermak Road, the field, and the historic fieldhouse, a place where your involvement in sports with the kids took part.  Your memories and thoughts will always be in our hearts.  If anyone wishes to contact me to share experiences, my email is listed for that purpose.

Thanks for everything coach, I remember learning and playing soft ball,  football,  basketball among other sports from you.  You made the playground fun for all of us in pilsen.   You will truly be missed.   May u R.I.P

There are no words to express my personal feelings of the  loss of a Great Mentor, A Man who had Great Patience, Understanding & Most of all the true ability to believe in all of us kids from the neighborhood when we didn't believe in ourselves or didn't have no one to believe in us I WILL MISS YOU TREMENDOUSLY MY COACH, MY NEIGHBOR, MY FRIEND..

On behalf of my brother Richard who was with you at Emmett Playground and on my behalf who subbed with you at Pickard, rest in peace Coach.

Thank you, Don for starting your career at Robert Emmet in the Austin area. You gave us kids an opportunity to benefit from your sacrifices. The time and energy that you spent with us kids laid much of the  groundwork for our adult lives. 
May you enjoy your reward, now that you are carrying the ball in the Good Lord's Hall of Fame.

my condolences to the Couch family. He taught so many of us sports. He will truly b missed

Coach, u truly were special to me and all the kids in the community...theyd hav to write a book about u to truly understand what u meant to me n da neighborhood kids...u always gave us a great place to be instead of da streets and pushd us to succeed in sports and to be respectful always...Ill miss u coach...thanx 4 da great memories...where u will live in all our hearts...FOREVER!! REST IN PARADISE COACH ...WELL ALL MISS U...

God Bless you Coach. You were truly an ispiration to me and my Family and Friends.Thank you for giving us the Inner City Sports Hall of Fame and for everything you have taught me! The entire Garcia family will mis you! Rest in Peace
Love,
Daxx

My condolences to the Biernat family. He will truly be missed BY all of us. He taught a lot of kids to play all types of sports at Pickard. We lost a true coach.

I would like to send my condolences to the Family of Coach...he will always be remembered...

I am so sorry to hear of "Coach's" passing. I grew up with Coach and learned to play sports at Pickard. He provided so many kids with an outlet for so many years. I have so many fond memories of my childhood because of him. He will be truly missed.

God bless you cousin...We know what you're gonna do up yonder after your clear St Peter's Gates...look up Helen and the Biernat men, and then, you'll go find Knute Rockne...RIP, you've certainly earned it. Love and prayers, cousin Tom Zuppke and Rena Rowe Zuppke.

My condolences go out to the entire Biernat family. Don "Coach" Biernat was like a dad to a lot of us growing up in Pilsen at Pickard School. He was one of the best leaders in life.  He taught us how to play all types of sports. He saved hundreds of children from gangs and drugs. He will be missed by all that knew him. There will never be another like him. Honor "Coach" by teaching others what he taught us. I coach because of him. REST IN PEACE COACH.

OBITUARIO

Don "Coach" Biernat

4 septiembre, 1935 – 15 abril, 2012

Mount Auburn Funeral Home & Cemetery

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