I was one of the “unteachables” who will always remember Coach Cieslik as “Coach”. He coached me in seventh grade football in ‘77-78 at Terrace Hills. He was a great coach and helped me learn the fundamentals of coaching football a couple years after that. He’s one of the few  coaches I remember from middle school, high school, and college. He was a good man, and I also still remember the cool car he drove which I believe was an AMC Matador? Regardless, Rest In Peace Coach, thanks for the help.

I just learned about Jan’s passing from his former wife, Donna. I was taken aback and shocked. Jan and I were best friends in high school and beyond. I’ll never forget how we first met.   We lined up together on a football drill facing one another. I weighed about 165 and Jan was around 220. I thought to myself “damn, this is going to hurt.”  Unexpectedly, Jan said to me, “hey, you hit me and I’ll fall down; you do the same and we’ll get out of this drill without killing one another.”  I readily agreed and we became best friends from then on.   Jan joined the Navy after high school and I joined the Marine Corps. He wrote me letters while I was in Vietnam.   I’ll never forget his sister Jeanie playing the Marine Hymn on her accordion when I landed at the El Paso airport when I returned. I was Jan’s “Best Man at his wedding to Donna and he was my Best Man. We went to UTEP after we were discharged.   He went into teaching/coaching and I went into law enforcement.   I always called him a “Polock” and he called me a “Bohunk”.    We rode motorcycles , drank a lot of beer and did what best friends do. He knew my family and I knew his. My condolences to Richard, Jeanie and Jimmy and their families. RIP Jan. 

He was the best principal I ever had and truly enjoyed his wisdom and abundant knowledge.  My life has been truly blessed by knowing him.

He was a gentle giant and a friend and neighbor from middle school thru high school.  I long admired his worldly exploits and his signed card and photo collection of professional athletes.  I cherished our experiences in athletics.  He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.  Condolences to his family.
Tury Delgado. Irvin HS Class of 1967

So so to hear about your loss. Thinking and praying for you.

What a great man. I was an 8th grader at HE Charles and he was my football coach.  He praised me where I actually started to believe in myself.  I appreciated his fatherly advice and lessons.  He was one of the few good ones who put me on a path for success.  We are all luckier that we had him in our lives. 

Wonderful, wonderful man who shared his inspirational ideas on life, no just coaching.  He would be there for all students at Terrace Hills back in the 80's.  God Bless his soul. I'll forever remember "Coach C".

I was so sad to hear about uncle Jan’s passing. My fondest memories are childhood ones of being at his house for cousins' parties. And then later as a teenager, at H.E. Charles Junior High when I was a student and he coached there. I remember for track one season, when I was doing pretty well in the 800 meter run that year, he had me practice with the boy runners on occasion to help me get faster. I thought “Can he do that?”—being family does have its privileges I guessed and so I went with it! LOL! I felt very special and believed in even though the boys would kick my butt at those practices. I also remember times as an adult when my husband and I ran into him a few times at UTEP basketball games. I didn’t realize he was a fan of the dinner theater though and I’m honored to make a donation there in his memory since UTEP was a great place that I was able to talk and catch up with my uncle Jan. My thoughts and prayers go out to my dad (Richard) and all my aunts and uncles and cousins during this sad time for our family. I won't be able to be there for the burial but you have my support from afar here in South Dakota! Love always—Janella (and Shannon) 

My condolences to your family. Coach Cieslik was my 7th grade football coach at Terrace Hills. He was a great coach and motivator, he was the first coach to advise me to start lifting weights to become a better football player. He was always there after school with us lifting weights on our makeshift weight room. May God rest your soul.

Coach Jan was my first Coach at Blessed Sacrament when I moved out to the N.E. I was brought to practice by a couple friends who wanted me to play football I was a pretty good size lineman When Coach saw me he turned around to Bruce Griffith and Mike Stier and said what you guys went and got yourself a bodyguard to protect you on the field. Back then these guys were the smallest and toughest players out there. Jan I appreciate all that you have done for me and my family. Donna and Carmen we offer our condolences to you both and the family he will be missed. 

The Matthews Family

My deepest condolences for your loss Charmin. I remember Jan as a person who was always fighting for students' best interests. He wanted them to achieve their highest potential in education. Prayers for the family.

My uncle, "Johnny", as we called him as children, was always supportive especially during my time in Junior High. I remember playing volleyball matches against him and some of the Varsity football team. I felt like a mini celebrity because I was related to him. He made sure to take picture when I was honored on the school marquee when I achieved top honor student for the grading period.  When I enlisted in the Navy and shipped out to boot camp, he made sure to write to me and even sent me a picture of himself in his Navy uniform.  I always enjoyed having conversations with him.  My deepest condolences to anyone who had the pleasure to know him.

Charmin— my condolences— what a huge loss!! My favorite memory was when Jan and I were doing interviews together and 1 candidate called me “Mrs. Crapapple”-game over! Jan laughed all day and that became my new name in all his emails. Lots of laughs and great times. Remember our trip to Astroworld in Houston? 
God bless you ❤️

I remember you parking nextdoor and the yellow pollen covered your truck.  In your passing I'm reminded even the agitation of our lives are precious.  Sending our deepest sympathy to Donna who lost a friend and the father of her children.  Our Condolences to the widow and the whole Cieslik family.

My condolences to the family. Coached against Jan when he was at TH and Charles. His teams were always competitive and disciplined.  He was well respected in the Junior High coaching brotherhood. Always remember the beautiful memories you had with him. John Webb

The Chews send their condolences to the entire family.  Growing up with the Cieslik family on Mt Ranier in NE El Paso was filled with memorable experiences and friendship.  Bon courage. DWC

Charman 
I was so sorry to hear about Jan.  Many good memories of  us during happier times at Charles.  Sad to see what is happening in education today.  Keep the wonderful memories you and so many others have of him during the difficult days ahead.  Hugs.
Mary Ann Snider

Charmin our condolences so sorry for your loss.  Jan was a wonderful person to know and kind.  We will surely miss him.  Joe and Irma  Ontiveros 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Jan Cieslik

24 janvier 1949 – 2 novembre 2021

Martin Funeral Home

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service