Douglas Paul Hensel

1947 - 2014

COUDERSPORT, Pa. - Douglas Paul Hensel of Coudersport passed away peacefully Friday (June 13, 2014) at home surrounded by those who loved him.
Doug was born May 2, 1947, in St. Mary's, the son of Francis and Kathryn Hensel of Austin. A 1965 graduate of Austin High School, Doug went on to receive his B.S. in education at Mansfield University, where he played baseball, bridge and golf. Doug married Melanie Akeley of Coudersport, in 1971, and together raised eight children. He was a teacher at the Lackawanna Trail, Port Allegany, Northern Potter and Coudersport school districts.
While teaching and raising his family, Doug contributed decades to athletics by coaching and refereeing. He had many accomplishments in coaching Little League Baseball and both Junior High and High School Basketball programs in Northern Potter and Coudersport. With several post season awards and championships, many would say those trophies and medals paled in comparison to the positive impact he had on his players. Following retirement, Doug became a member of the board at the Coudersport Golf Club and was recently inducted into the Club's Heritage Hall in 2013, an honor his family was very proud of as golfing was his passion.
Doug was a lot of things to a lot of different people. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he was a die-hard Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He enjoyed playing baseball, bowling, cards and golf. Amongst friends, Doug will be remembered as a quick-witted, storyteller, who loved to compete. To those he coached and taught, he was respected beyond measure. To his family, he was extremely loved and we couldn't be luckier to have him be our dad and grandpa.
Doug is survived by his wife, Melanie Hensel of Coudersport; eight children, Douglas (Suzy) Hensel II of Virginia Beach, Va., Eric Hensel of Coudersport, Michael (Jennifer) Hensel of Acworth, Ga., David (Anne) Hensel of Philadelphia, Angela (Hi) Chang of Coudersport, Maureen (Kevin) Cracknell of Coudersport, Catherine (Corey) Shaffer of Waialua, HI, and Elizabeth Hensel of Coudersport; grandchildren, Kiele Hensel, Kaiden Cracknell, Cecilia Hensel, Jacob Cracknell, Owen Chang, Ben Hensel, Haila Cracknell, Molly Hensel, Josephine Chang, Sylvia Shaffer, and Grace Hensel. He is also survived by his sister, Pamela Hensel of Fairport, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Linda Austin of Greenwich, N.Y.
The family is planning a memorial celebration this fall when the entire family can be together again. Arrangements by Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home Ltd. "A Life Celebration Home", 210 North East St., Coudersport, PA 16915.
In closing, Doug Hensel would ask that you support the local Golf Club and send any donations or contributions to Coudersport Golf Club, PO Box 446, Coudersport PA, 16915 where if you had a chance to ask him, he may remind you that he was club champion six times.
To share your fondest memories of Douglas, visit www.lifecelebration.com.