WAYNE DALESKY
Wayne (Duke) Dalesky passed away peacefully at home in Fircrest on Wednesday morning, December 4, 2002, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born April 6, 1938 in Tacoma and grew up in Puyallup, Washington, where he attended Maplewood Elementary, Puyallup Jr. and Senior High, graduating in 1956. He then joined the Army Reserve and left for training (so he says) in California. Upon com-pletion, he returned home and immediately started college at Central Washington State. He grad- uated in 1960 with a BA and com- pleted his MED shortly thereafter. Wayne enjoyed a career in teaching and coaching for 36 years in the Tacoma School District, retiring due to illness in 1996. The last 23 years were spent at Henry Foss High School, where he had a stellar career as the Boys Varsity Basketball Coach. He could not have done it without the help and loyalty of his good friend and JV coach, Ken Hotsko. Many people over the years volunteered their time at the school to help coach the kids. They were very loyal to Wayne, also. For those of you who knew Wayne, Basketball was his first love and the many kids (some of them now Grandpas themselves), friends and peers associated with it. Some everlasting friendships were born of this mutual love. Wayne was recognized for many achievements, including being inducted into the WIBCA Hall of Fame and having the Henry Foss High School Gymnasium dedicated in his name along with Coach Jim Black (Girls Basketball coach). How fitting Wayne and Jim attended college together and have been great friends ever since. He did enjoy playing tennis and belonged to the Fircrest Tennis Club for many years until hip surgery in 1989. He was very competitive, as I am sure his opponents will tell you. In our family’s opinion, Wayne’s greatest achievement was when he became a grandpa, or, as the kids call him, “Grandpa Duke” or “Papa”. He was the best ever! He was preceded in death by his father Joe, mother Grace and brother Glenn. Wayne is survived by wife Alana of the family home, son Brett of San Diego, daughter Karin of Tacoma - thank you, Karin, for your diligence in visiting your father and your concern for me. Stepson Brent (Danette) Woolard of Silverdale - thank you, Brent, for all the times you encouraged Wayne to go crabbing and fishing and not letting him give up; you even took some of his friends along with you, just so there would be some other old guys; and for the times you came over and sat and watched football with him and did our little household chores for us that he could not do. Stepson Bryan (Kristie) Woolard of Baker, Oregon - thank you, Bryan, for giving Wayne the wildest ride of his life up in the mountains of Oregon; he did live to tell about it. Stepson Bobby Malang (no wife yet or kids) of Phoenix, AZ. Daughter-in-law Teresa and her husband Dennis (like a son) Brown - thank you, Dennis and Teresa, for all your help and concern; you are very special. And, special friend (adopted mother and grandmoth- er) Marie Snow - thank you, Marie, for all the things you do and contribute to our family, and especially going grocery shopping for us at times when we really need- ed your help. Wayne is also survived by grandchildren Erica (princess and future basketball star) and Lindsey (princess and possibly future President) Dalesky; Jake (budding football star), John (who knows, likes all sports), Joey (future Mariner, maybe) and Breanna (our angel girl who entertained her papa a lot) Woolard. Our grandchildren were very special to us! Also survived by sister Elvera (Bob) Thornton and brother Don (Peggy) Dalesky, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many good friends, especially the “Creeps.” Wayne enjoyed listening to the PLU football games on the radio where Dennis’ son, Kyle Brown, plays football. He would always talk with Dennis and save articles for him. Thank you, Kyle, for providing Grandpa Duke with reasons to get on the telephone and talk with his friends about sports. I think everyone in Kitsap, Pierce and King counties has heard him brag about you! “Duke” was a great friend and mentor to many. He impacted many lives over the years. We are saddened by the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandpa and papa, but we know he is in heaven and at peace and we will never forget the many memories he has bestowed upon us. A special thank you to Jim and Joyce Black for coming over and helping me when I called; you were a great source of support. We would like to acknowledge the Tacoma General Hospital Oncology Unit for their continued support through this long ordeal. You’re the best! Especially Diane, Bobby, Dick and Roland (Go Mariners!) and Dr. Zatzkin, what can I say? No other doctor could have handled Wayne the way you did. Also, I would like to acknowledge Hospice for the time they were here. Although it was short, you were so caring and comforting; I could not have done it without you. Viewing will be Saturday, De-cember 7, 2002, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Powers Funeral Home, 320 West Pioneer Avenue, Puyallup. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 9, 2002, 11:00 a.m. at Puyallup Church of the Nazarene, 1026 7th Avenue SW, Puyallup, WA. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Pub Date: 12/6/2002