Douglas Clare Wilkins

He was a Presence. He commanded respect through his demeanor, through his total dedication to us, to his dream and to the dream he imparted to us. He worked harder than we did. He was tough. Steel tough. Gruff. Intense. Demanding. A leader. Charismatic. There was nothing to fear with him in charge. He had great confidence. He prepared thoroughly. He was great with young men. Tears tugged on my heart when I noticed the subject of your email. Wish you were still here, coach.

He was incredible. Our country needs coaches just like him in every high school. He was a leader, tough as they come, charismatic, dedicated, a man of his word and as powerful as he was, he was deep down a tender hearted human being who strove to help others be better far than they ever dreamed. One of a kind.

I'm not good at reality. I still think of him in the present tense, the bigger than life football coach commanding greater effort, more leverage on a block, to keep your head up. Barking out, "GO!" to release us, to unleash us, to strike that rotten blocking sled with an explosion of effort, with everything we had (legs curling up in knots) dying for that whistle signaling "enough" hoping the other guys won't see you wobbling to the end of the line. Taking comfort knowing that everything he...

I have so many wonderful memories of the time that we lived in Mt Lakes and right at the top would be our friendship with Doug and Marge Wilkins. We realized early that this man was special! Three of our boys were so lucky to have Doug as their high school Principal and two of them played football for him......David and Jamie. Those were the ''wonder years" and I believe to this day that Doug Wilkins was the mentor, teacher, father figure (second, of course!), coach, and friend to my...

A legacy starts with something remarkable. Coaches Wilkins, Bagli, Morgan and Reed built a culture of winning and good character that endures. Thank you Coach Wilkins for encouragement and for teaching valuable life lessons. I am always proud of my small part of our Herd.

The passing of Mr. Doug Wilkins is a great loss for his family, for his school, and for the
entire Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).

I send my condolences to his three children, his son, Gord, and his daughters, Debra Becker and Anne
Wilson, and five grandchildren and the rest of the family. Theyve lost a loved one, Ive lost a friend, Mountain Lakes High School and the entire NJAC family have lost a coach and a principal who led his school and their football...

To the Wilkins children and the rest of the Wilkins family. -

It was my pleasure to have been a classmate of both Doug and Marge at Moravian College. As a fellow history major we shared many of the same classes. I had the good fortune to play football and be a fraternity brother of Doug's. They were both among the most respected members of the class of 1964. They demonstrated most of the same skills and leadership traits you saw in their teaching and coaching careers during...

Dear Debbie, Lisa, Gordon and your families......
Laker Pride........not only did he instill it within his players, students and faculty, but he lived it as well. So many people were affected and touched by his role and leadership. He can now rest in peace along with your Mom, and they will long be remembered.

Dear Wilkins Family, 6 June 2019

Mary Ellen and I wanted to send you our sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of your father . . . a great man, coach, educator, father, husband and friend. Both your Mom and Dad were remarkable people Mary Ellen and I were honored to know and be able to call friends.

Our memories of sharing...