To Tommy & the Bessel Family,

As I raise 2 of my grandchildren, one of whom runs track in 7th grade, distance no less, it has caused me to look back at my days at Freeport HS, 1970-71 (I moved to Bellmore in Aug '71)and my many fond memories of Coach Bessel, Mr Leavitt, Barry Berman, Eugene Thomas, and others, including you as a freshman.  "Coach" was always a father figure to me, a person who I never saw loose his cool or temper.  He was great with everyone whether you could run or not, and he seemed to have many inside jokes with everyone that only you and him would understand.  I remember our Oceanside runs and the up/down ladders that we did, rain or shine, snow or otherwise.  He always made it interesting, and he pushed me to show that I could do it and gave me confidence.  When I received my varsity letters, it was the proudest moment I had, and to this day I still have them.  May your dad RIP knowing that he did his job on this earth, left his mark not only in record books but with many a student who had the pleasure to run for him and with him, and know that I for one will be forever grateful.  As my granddaughter runs this year, I am sure he is looking down upon her, starting/stopping his stop watch and recording those splits.   She will remind me of "Coach".  and it will always bring a smile to my face as I see her run, win or lose.

Edward (Ed) Stavola
San Antonio, TX





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Hello Bessel family I can’t even begin to tell you how much Coach Bessel meant to me. He was always hard on me because he saw the potential in me to be a track star but I wanted to play basketball. Coach Bessel never stopped getting after me to be the best draftsman and athlete that I could be. Coach was a teacher and a coach a mentor a friend and a fair person. they don’t make people like that anymore however I strive to keep the pro oof honor and fair play that he taught me. I am so sad I didn’t get to see him again and tell him of my work in the community and my family. I thank you for sharing him with so many he touched and he changed lives with love and guidance. I will always have him in my heart everyday. Thank you Coach love you 

Hi Tommy and the entire Bessel family. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Bessel.  I just heard the sad news today.  Mr. Bessel shaped my life in so many ways as a coach, mentor and educator. To this day lessons I learned from him I try to pass on to my own children.  Without his guidance I would not be where I am today.  Please pass my condolences to Patty, Karen, Michael; James and Jennifer.

My heartfelt Prayers and Condolences to Tom and the Bessel family you Dad was a good man and a fair but tough coach RIP Mr Bessel!!!

To all the bessels this is Barry berman. 42 years after graduating from high school I still run because of joe Bessel and still remember all the bessels fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. A great coach and an incredible athlete. Barry berman of Brewster, Massachusetts.

To the Bessel Family - I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Bessel. He had a big influence on my life and growing up in Freeport. 40 years later I am still running. My sincere condolences in this time of sorrow.  He will always have a spot in my heart.

Tommy - This is Keith (Toby) Meyer.  I have a wonderful picture of your Dad and I running, side by side in the pouring rain, in Central Park (National Postal Championships ~1973).  The picture was in the centerfold of the Daily News and I wrote to them to get the original.  Call me (518-275-9461) or send me an email (keith.meyer@andritz.com) and I'll send it to you.

Hi, Tom. I hope you are well. So sorry to hear about your dads passing. Please convey my condolences to your family. 

My head has been swimming with memories of our FHS track and cross-country days. Its been 45 years but I still laugh out loud when I recall the introduction Coach Bessel gave me when he called me up for my last track letter at the awards dinner. People were howling as he described a particularly cold, rainy interval workout during which the icicles that had formed in my long hair were pelting his face as we sped around the track! And we could always count on him to record the times for each of those quarters, print them flawlessly on graph paper and post them in the locker room the next day.

In my 60s, Im still a runner and give much of the credit for that to your dad, the only real coach I ever had and a great runner himself. 

Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories help to comfort you during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Very sorry for you loss. Mr. Bessel was a great teacher and coach.

Tommy,

 I am thinking of the Oceanside run now...   You, me, Mr. Leavitt, Glenn H., Joe D, Matt M, Coach Bessel and the rest... It is raining and in February...LOL.

 I was in the police academy with Kevin Barry... before he became a fireman. We use to say we were with your Dad in our  Academy runs... Which were a piece of cake compared to what the Coach put us through...You and the Coach were tough on me. However, I did need it. Thoughts of you two left me smiling through out the years.... I STILL... have some notes the Coach sent me. One has Snoopy calling me Joe Cool? Never got that... but Snoopy  ordered me to come to track tryouts... LOL. I guess what I am trying to say is that he impacted my life... as I know he did many others.

Coach Joe Bessel.... Talked the talk... Because he walked... The Walk. 
   
Bob Price... Class of 72.

I am so sorry for your loss. May God hold you and your family tight during this difficult time. Prayers, Linda Ramsey, Judicial Assistant, 9A

The North Carolina Court System is blessed with Coach Bessel's daughter, Karen DiGiacomo.  She obviously hails from a great family.  We are fortunate to have her, and if she is an indicator of her Dad's spirit of helpfulness, well I am sure that he will be missed.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Track was my favorite sport to transport to the meets because of Mr. Bessel. The kids always showed the utmost respect for him I think because he always ran with them in all kinds of weather, something you never see other coaches doing, at least not any more! He dedicated his life to the students in Freeport. I will never forget him.

My thoughts and prayers to all ! I will miss Coach Bessel very much . Though I hadn't seen him in years he has always been in my thoughts and reflections over the years and the past with the Bessels as my neighbors . Rest In Peace Joesph Bessel .

So very sorry Karen. Thinking of you all. Quinn Family

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I am so sorry to hear of Joseph's death. Karen I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you all. Elizabeth Durkin and family.

Sincere condolences from the Higgins family. God Bless all of you. Hanging on to fond memories is a true blessing. In our thoughts and prayers.

Very sorry to hear about Mr. Bessel's passing.  He had a profound impact on my life as I know he had on many others at FHS. In loving memory of a wonderful person and an outstanding educator, coach and role model.

Sincerely,
Brad Sudmann
Class of '91 FHS

We were so sorry to hear about Joe's passing. We hope that the love of family and friends will comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead.

Sincerely, Steve and Patricia Nicolino, Stephen and Susan Nicolino, Pattie Anne and Casey Ward and Regina and Sean Passananti

Very sorry to hear.
Wishing peace, strength, fond memories and strong traditions to all the Bessel family.
Sincerely,
The Dickson Family

May God's loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very sad time Psalms 29:11

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Joseph J. Bessel

15 avril 1930 – 9 juillet 2017

Wood Funeral Home

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