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MOE ZELENY Obituary
Moe Zeleny passed away on January 15th, 2026, after a brave battle with cancer. Born in 1943, he left an indelible legacy of education, sportsmanship, and family dedication. A graduate of UMD, where he excelled as a football player, later earning an (M.Ed.) from Michigan State University. Moe an inspirational teacher and football coach at Hillcrest High School and the Thunder Bay Giants Football Program as well as a contributing founder of the Thunder Bay Minor Football Association. Moe and wife Sonja were avid travellers who wintered in the South Padre Islands. Predeceased by parents, Amelia and Frank and survived by his wife Sonja, sons Dan (Val) and Greg (Sherri); grandchildren Daniel (Rachelle), Cady, Quinn Miller (Bryson), Hayden, Birk; great grandchildren Ryan, Sophie, Dylan, Samuel, Isabelle, Nicolas, sister Francy Williamson (Roydon). Celebration of life TBA.
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Memories and Condolences
for MOE ZELENY
Sponsored by Northwest Funeral Alternative.
8 Entries
Chris
February 7, 2026
Sorry to hear of Moe´s passing. My condolences to his family. He was my PE teacher at Hillcrest. He was a good caring man, truly interested in his students development as a person. He was open to new ideas and and not closed minded.
Lindsay Corrigan
February 5, 2026
Sonja, Dan, Greg & Families,
My condolences on Moe´s passing. I count my myself lucky to have experienced Moe´s passion for making a team out of individuals back in 1977-80 days of the Colts. Thanks Moe for all you gave me during those impressionable years it served me well in my life.
Ron Aho
February 2, 2026
Mr. Zeleny was my football coach at Hillcrest Highschool. He was a great coach and mentor. My sympathy's to the family.
Lorraine Wilson
January 31, 2026
Our deepest condolences to Sonja and family. Reading about Moe we realize what a great teacher/coach he was and was so respected.
Sincerely with love, your Red Hat Group
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Jack Sawicki
January 31, 2026
Danny and Greg
Our condolences and prayers are with both of you. Uncle Moe will be missed by everyone he made contact with over the years.
Jack and Jan Sawicki
Gerald (Gerr) Danylyshyn
January 31, 2026
Moe was and will always be remembered as a good man. He helped me overcome the challenges of youth and to inspire me to want more. His guidance and example of leadership I adopted to eventually become a teacher myself and conduct myself with his voice and kindness in mind. I knew Moe while attending Hillcrest High School and was impressed with his ability to get what he wanted. One time, Moe confronted a group of individuals from outside our school who were there for trouble and despite several members of our football team backing him, he turned to us and said" I´ll deal with this." He warned the group to leave, but they became aggressive and Moe responded by picking up a trash can (large one) and flicked it at them. They jumped back from the can, but Moe then took two steps towards them and they ran off and out of the school. Moe never said anything about this again, but his quiet stare was often all it would take to impose his will. Rest in peace Mr. " Z" .
John wilhelm
January 31, 2026
Sorry to hear about MOE, he was my coach in football at Hillcrest. He always had time to stop and talk . He will be missed
Andy Speak
January 31, 2026
My deepest sympathies.
I thought he was a great person and I always enjoyed talking with him whenever our paths crossed.
I will forever be grateful for his help and guidance, in shaping my life way back in 1974 when I was going to Hillcrest High School. He, along with another teacher not only encouraged me to accept a scholarship to play hockey at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth but drove me down to meet the coaches and tour the school and I didn´t even play football for him!! It speaks volumes of his character and passion for all students who crossed paths with him!! He said it would be one of the best decisions I would make, if I chose to go to school there - and he was right!! I have enjoyed a wonderful life, and it all started with a caring teacher from Hillcrest - thank you Mr. Zeleny.
Again, my condolences and may God´s Peace Be With Mr. Zeleny and family, Andy Speak.
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Memorial Events
for MOE ZELENY
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