Joseph Modzelewski

Joseph “Coach” Modzelewski, passed away peacefully Friday, October 22, 2021 in the comfort of his home with his family by his side.  Joseph was born in Springfield, son of the late Edward and Anna (Kalinko) Modzelewski and grew up in Agawam.  He was a 1960 graduate of Agawam High School where he was a 3 sport standout athlete playing for the football, basketball and baseball teams.  After high school, he attended the University of Nevada where he briefly hung up his Brownie cleats and played football for the Wolfpack.  After graduating college he returned home to the two loves of his life.  His high school sweetheart, Donna Werthamer and coaching.  He and Donna married in 1966 and spent the next fifty-five years as husband and wife, having three children and eventually two grandchildren.  Outside of his favorite activity of spending time with his family, he could be found in the summers on the golf course, tending to his garden in his backyard, or eventually in the park on one of his treasured walks with his very good friend, Sandy.  He was a physical education teacher at Agawam High School for thirty-five years and head coach of the cross country, track and football teams before his retirement in 2003.  In 2018 his accomplishments as an athlete and contributions as a coach to his beloved hometown were recognized when he was proudly inducted in the Agawam Athletics Hall of Fame.  Joseph is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Donna V. (Werthamer) Modzelewski, a son and his wife, Joseph E. and Jenni Modzelewski of Feeding Hills, a daughter and her husband, Karen L. and Douglas Carrier of Agawam, a brother and his wife, Edward and Nancy Modzelewski of Agawam, two grandchildren, Reid Carrier and Donna Carrier along with all his many friends, in-laws and nieces and nephews who will always affectionally know him as “Crazy Uncle Joe” for always making them laugh with his many antics.  He was predeceased by a son, Danny R. Modzelewski in 1982, who we take comfort in knowing he gets to have his Daddy again, two sisters, Patricia Hish, Mary Peters and his in-laws, Norma and Dutch Werthamer.  The funeral will be Wednesday at 10am from the AGAWAM CURRAN JONES FUNERAL HOME, 745 Cooper Street with a service in the Agawam Baptist Church at 11. The burial will follow in Agawam Center Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday from 3-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Agawam Baptist Church, 760 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. For online condolences, please visit www.curranjones.com