Jack Avina

Siempre recordado Maestro Costa Rica

Recordado en Costa Rica

Jack was one of a kind. His love for basketball and life were displayed daily. I miss you.

Jack was my high school badketball coach Gridley class of 1956. Jack graciously attended out 55th class reunion speaking of an incident that required a delayed apology to his wife. The night and next day following the birth of his son, Jack and Bob Vaughn our principal partied too long at the Country Kitchen.Jack will be long missed for his humor tact and one on one coaching abilities.

To The Avina Family:

You are all in hearts and prayers. Your Dad was beloved by The Sullivan Family. Paul and I will always be LooKin' Good & Lookin' Bad! I treasured the times I was able to spend with your dad when I would stay with him when I came up to watch my Daughter Katie Play Volleyball for UP. He was a man I greatly admired. I will always remember the swimming lesson that Paul, Jeff, and I had! Swim GD Swim! When Katie accepted her offer to play at UP, I immediately...

"It was on the mourn
That I saw a ship a sailing
The sea was calm
Jack was young
He was at the rail
With shipmates once again."

My love to his family, your are in my prayers. Coach Avina was a constant as I grew up across from UofP. I was a gym rat and Howard Hall was my gym of choice. As a young kid I loved going to practices and just hanging out, and Jack always let me, Always. So many really special memories growing up involved Jack. The celebration of his life will be special. Once again, love to the family.

Terri and I extend our deepest condolences to the entire Avina family at this sad time. I played for Jack at College of San Mateo in 1965 and '66 and remember the white pin-striped CSM coaches jacket he is wearing in the photo to the left. He was a force to reckoned with in those days but he prepared me to play at Chico State in 1966-68. Most importantly, he helped me get hired in teaching and coaching in Gridley, CA, where he and Claire had been some years before. Jack loved Claire with all...