Obituaries

Donald Joseph Glowicki 

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When we think of a life that has been truly well lived, we think of someone who loved his family, friends, and community, and who was loved by them in return. We think of someone who touched the hearts of those he met, and someone who led by example. We think of someone who always looked for, discovered, and chose to focus on what was truly the good in people. We think of someone who shared his accumulated life lessons and experiences, and who was willing to share those experiences with others, particularly his students and football players, not as in a “do what I do” way, but to help them know what is possible and to let them choose their own path. We think of someone who knew that success on the football field was so much more than the score, and that teamwork and giving your best effort was what was truly the most important. We think of someone who was consistently brave in the face of fear and adversity, and who taught others to be brave in those circumstances by his quiet examples. We think of someone who was always quick to smile, and who definitely brought smiles to the faces of those around him, as well as earning their admiration. That someone was Donald Joseph Glowicki, and he was indeed all that – and so, so much more. And while he is physically removed from our lives, we take comfort in knowing that lessons from his storied life, his legacy of love, and his knowledge of what is truly important in life will be carried forward in the hearts of so many others.

Known to many simply as “Coach,” Donald Joseph Glowicki, 92, died peacefully at home in his beloved Elk Rapids on May 11, 2022 surrounded by his family. Don was married for 68 years to his wife Elaine (Heller) Glowicki and is survived by five children: Kathleen (John) Lau, Donald (Diane) Glowicki, Mary (Doug) Coates, Jeanne (Michael Tomich) Glowicki and Barbara (Robert) Murphy. His beloved nine grandchildren are Joshua Lau, Anna (David) Gailey, Matthew Glowicki, Christopher Glowicki, Amy (Matthew) Edington, Andrew (Kelsey) Coates, Elise Coates, Reid Murphy (fiancé Sydney), and Ellery Murphy; and two great-grandchildren Adelaide and MJ Edington. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as his sisters-in-law Judy Glowicki and Sally Glowicki.

Born June 19, 1929 in Auburn, Michigan to John and Anna (Wisniewski) Glowicki, Don Glowicki was number four of six siblings: Elmer, John, Barney, Ruth and Leon (all of whom predeceased him). Don graduated from Bay City Central, coached basketball at the age of 19, and married the love of his life, (and former basketball cheerleader) Elaine (Heller) Glowicki, who survives, on August 29, 1953.

Don had a rich and varied history not only in the area of sports, but in Elk Rapids as well. It was in 1959, that Don and Elaine made Elk Rapids their forever home, and he began coaching football at Elk Rapids High School, and he remained their football coach until 1982. Local football fans will well remember the Elk Rapids [aka the ‘Orange Crush’] win against arch-rival Frankfort in 1978, a sweet victory for the entire community that was celebrated long after the game ended. In addition, Don was a physical education and business teacher at Elk Rapids High School, as well as Athletic Director from 1961 until 1991. Some of Don’s numerous awards, which brought him great personal pride, included his induction into the Michigan High School Hall of Fame (1985-1986), being named Regional Athletic Director of the Year in 1987, induction into the Bay City Hall of Fame (1993), and induction into the Elk Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 – with the culmination being the dedication of Glowicki Field on October 6, 2006. While the awards and accolades were wonderful, there was no accolade that meant as much to him as being called “dad” and “grandpa.”

Don was also very much involved in Elk Rapids, including serving as Secretary at the Elk Rapids Golf Course for many years, serving as an usher at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and volunteering in countless community activities. While Parkinson’s disease robbed him of his mobility, it never robbed him of his love of family, friends, and Elk Rapids, or his fighting spirit. He was never one to complain about his condition, and instead faced it with courage and bravery every single day – with a spirit that is embodied in the lyrics:

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone

(From Gerry & The Pacemakers “You’ll Never Walk Alone”) Don’s family would like to thank Hospice of Michigan (especially Beth, Lisa, Jill, Karen, and Dr. Zook) for their invaluable support and guidance in his final weeks.

A visitation will occur on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church hall in Elk Rapids; with a funeral mass being held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, with a celebration of Don’s life taking place immediately following at Glowicki Field at Elk Rapids High School. A private interment ceremony for immediate family members will take place.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinsonsmi.org/support-mpf/donatenow), the Donald Glowicki Athletic Scholarship at Elk Rapids High School, or the Sacred Heart New Building Fund.
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Donald and his family are being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.