Walter J. Dubzinski Sr.

Walter J. Dubzinski, Sr.
GARDNER - Walter J. Dubzinski, Sr., 93, of Gardner, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Friday evening, April 26, 2013.
Born in Gardner on October 26, 1919, Walter was the son of the late Felix and Anna (Lauciniunas) Dubzinski. Walter graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1937 and was co-captain of the 1936 Gardner High School Football Team. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston College in 1941, and later received his Masters Degree in Education from Fitchburg State College in 1952. During his years at Boston College he was a four year member of the football team, playing his first two years as a fullback and linebacker under Coach Gil Dobie. As a junior under Coach Frank Leahy, he was moved to starting center on the 1940 Eagles team which played in the Cotton Bowl against Clemson. In 1941 he centered the BC team which won the National Championship with a Sugar Bowl win over Tennessee. He also played for the Eastern College All Stars against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds and the world champion Chicago Bears at Fenway Park.
Walter played two years of professional football in the NFL as a center, guard and linebacker with the New York Giants in 1943 and as a two-way player for the Boston Yanks in 1944. Military service interrupted Walter's professional football career. He served in the Navy/Coast Guard during WWII and was stationed at the Jacksonville, FL Naval Air Station.
Walter began his teaching and legendary coaching career first at Rockland High School, then at Fitchburg High School. In 1946 he returned to his high school alma mater to teach, and to coach the Gardner High Wildcats for the next 20 seasons (130-41-6 record; .734 winning percentage). The 1950 squad captured the State Class B Title with a 9-0 record. His teams also won North Worcester County Titles in 1950, 1954 (9-0), 1957, 1958 (9-0), 1960 and his final season in 1965. Walter retired from coaching in 1966, when he was named Assistant Principal of Gardner High School after many years as both a teacher and guidance counselor. In 1978 he was appointed Principal and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1983.
Walter was named to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1970, and was the first living charter member inducted into the Gardner High School Football Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach. In 2006 he was inducted into the GHS Hall of Fame for Extraordinary Achievement. In 1960 he received the Col. Tom Flynn Coach of the Year Award, and in 1965 was selected as an outstanding coach by the North County Sportswriters. In 1994 he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame. At the time of his death Walter was one of the oldest living former NFL players and the oldest ex-Giant.
Walter was a member of Holy Spirit Church, Gardner.
He was married for 68 blissful years to the former Ruth A. (O'Hearn) Dubzinski who passed away May 1, 2010. Their greatest enjoyment came from spending as much time as possible at their summer home in Dennis on Cape Cod which became the epicenter for joyous gatherings of family and friends through the years. They were the proud parents of four children, Walter J. Dubzinski, Jr. and his wife Irene of Gardner, Pamela M. Bent of Gardner, John E. Dubzinski and his wife Donna of Leominster and Anne R. Jasinski and her husband John of Templeton. In addition they were the doting and involved grandparents of their nine grandchildren, Michael W. Dubzinski and his wife Erin of Rutland, Kathryn H. McDonald and her husband Peter of Holden, Steven J. Dubzinski of Boston, Jonathan M. Bent of Boston, Courtney A. Winter and her husband Anthony of Boston, John M. Dubzinski and his wife Alyson of Winchester, Jane E. Dubzinski of Los Angeles, CA, Kathleen A. Jasinski and Peter J. Jasinski both of Templeton. A source of continued wonder were their eight great-grandchildren, Connor M. Dubzinski of Rutland, Griffin W., Reagan S. and Tucker S. McDonald, all of Holden, and Anne B., Julia R., John F., and Luke M. Winter, all of Boston. In addition, Walter leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one brother, John E. Dubzinski and by one sister, Anne Fisher, as well as one son-in-law, C. Frederick Bent III.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 1st from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell St., Gardner. Burial will be in Greenbower Cemetery, Gardner. Calling hours are Tuesday, April 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Walter and Ruth Dubzinski Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Walter J. Dubzinski, Jr., 83 Temple St., Gardner, MA 01440
www.boucherfuneral.com