Melvin A. Kleckner

Coach Mel Kleckner. It is with honor to know this kind hearted man.
kenn~

I not only enjoyed playing basketball under coach, but enjoyed hunting and fishing with Mel as well.
I often think of coach and how much he added to our high school experience, and to remain friends
many years into my adulthood speaks to the kind and special man he was. Its hard to believe how quickly
time passes but he is never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.

We wish our sincere condolences to the Kleckner family. I enjoyed playing for coach and he taught me many good lessons that I learned in the process and used in life. He was a good leader and mentor. He also played soccer with my brother Bill at UCONN. He was a friend to our family for many years and will surely be missed.
Warm regards,
Jim & Ellen Kissane Class of 1963

Rest in peace, Coach Kleckner.

Patricia Hart Johnston, EWHS Class of 1963

How much richer so many of our lives have been to learn from a man of great integrity who personified class while championing the pursuit of excellence. I had the tremendous honor of playing for Coach, and will forever cherish the memories of time spent in the gym, at camp, watching ballgames and working on ballfields. May memories and the recognition of a life well-lived comfort his family and all who knew and loved him.

Rest in peace coach...
He was the highlight of my high school years

Mel and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mel and family, All my thoughts and prayers are with you..God bless you and your family.

Bill Irwin

Mel & Family,

Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.

So difficult to put into words what "Coach" meant to hundreds of student athletes such as myself who had the honor and privilege of playing and learning from him. What he taught all of us went well beyond sports, as his values of honesty, integrity, competition, humor, and above all respect to others and oneself, are values that he installed in all of us. I will forever be grateful for the positive impact he had on my life, and without question whatever success I have had in life is in direct correlation to what Coach installed in me so many years ago. I love the man. God Bless and care for his soul...

I feel so fortunate to have met and worked with Mel. I have fond memories of our fishing outings. Always great talking sports with Mel. So saddened by his passing.

Coach Kleckner was an inspiration to me throughout my years in high school. His confidence in me was never forgotten. He will always be remembered with fondness snd gratitude.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Dr. Francis "Oggie" Muska

I am so saddened by your loss. Coach was not only a devoted husband and loving father but the type of person that we should all strive to be. He dedicated his life to the betterment of others and thus impacted so many.
He was a part of my youth that I will always cherish .
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you.
The Ziegler and Smith families

Dear Peg & Family,
Coach was a really good guy. Not only a great
influence in his players lives but also a good friend. Buddy and I have always fondly remembered hunting and fishing with Coach on saturdays when we were young men. He will be sadly missed.Coach, " When you reach the Pearly Gates, say "Hi" to my Dad and Herb and all your buddies that made the trip before you !"
God Bless you.
Bob & Buddy Muska & Family

My husband and I are friends and neighbors to Melvin's daughter and son-in-law Pam and Mike Coleman here in California. We are so sorry for your loss. I met Melvin and a Pam's Mom once when they visited out here. All of the family are in our thoughts and prayers. We now have another "Angel" looking over us.

The friendship, guidance, and teachings from Coach will always be with those of us fortunate enough to know him. I wish I could be there to share the many stories and memories with friends and family. My sincerest condolences...

Peg, I'm so sorry to hear of Mel's passing. You and Mel were so wonderful to my mother (Kathleen) during her illness at Meadowview. Hannah and my thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time.

Peg: Please know that I am both thinking and praying for you and your family. Mel and I shared many times of laughter and all that goes with being teammates at Uconn. As a player Mel was one of the best I have ever played with. As a man he stands far above all but a few in character, integrity and honesty. He will be missed by all who have known him. gene king

RIP Coach Kleckner, Pat Cella White, class of 1961, EWHS

Peg and family, our hearts are saddened to hear that Mel fought the long courageous battle but has succumbed to his illness. Please take comfort in knowing he is watching over all of us and especially his loving family. We've known Mel for a short time but we are privileged to have met him while residing at Meadowview. We can truly say that Mel was a good, honest man and accomplished so much in a short time on this earth. We also thank him for his service to not only his country but also to his community. Mel, you will be missed. Good bye my friend. Rest In Peace.
Love, Pete & Luanne

R.I.P. Coach Thank you for the memories!!

This is very sad news. I hope your family will find peace in the memory of your influence on such a large number of people. As a coach you were subtle, supportive and strong and you always made it about your players. Traits that are in short supply these days particularly in sports. Rest in peace Coach and thanks.

To The Kleckner Family
Please know that our hearts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
In my opinion as well as many others, Coach was the best teacher ever in the East Windsor School system. He was not only great at coaching or teaching gym but he taught us to be fair and honest and to always try our best not just in all sports but everything we do. Most importantly he taught us to me men. Yes even in high school. If we had a problem we could always go to coach's office and he would sit and listen, offer his advice and then tell us to go and run laps. He was really good at that part and we always listened.
He will also be missed by those at church. I know that Howie and Beryl really liked seeing him each Sunday and can remember the stories that he, Howie and Kenny use to share about who caught or who could tell the biggest fish tale as only true fishermen can do. I bet coach, Howie and Kenny are laughing and sharing stories right now.
RIP Coach. It was truly and honor to know you.
With lots of peace and love
Ronnie and Raelene Opalacz and Beryl and Tom Wilson

Peg and family, I am so sorry to hear of Mel's passing. You were both such good friends to my Mom and she cherished your friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

To the Kleckner family, my deepest sympathy. May your many cherished memories help carry you through this most difficult time. There are so many whose lives were changed for the better due to the guidance of Coach Kleckner.

Great man and PE teacher, thanks for welcoming me to East Windsor High when I move from NJ. Never had so much fun in PE. RIP Coach.

Coach was an ourstanding coach and an even better man. He believed in me far more than I believed in myself and I will forever be grateful to him. He had an incredible impact on so many of us and my life is richer having known him. I wish I could attend His funeral service and show my support to his family, but I am currently living abroad. With that said, I would like to offer my condolences to Coach's family and many friends here and let them know that they will all be in my thoughts. Kindest personal regards, Michael Wiekrykas

Husband, Father, Coach, Educator, Role-Model. Truly the complete, but most importantly, good man. We're so sad you're gone. Brad & Mary Wyse