EDWARD DULKOSKI

He was married to the love of his life, Glenda McCartney Dulkoski. They met as teenagers and have been together for 53 years, building a beautiful life together. They were married on August 2, 1980, and were blessed with two daughters, Kasey and Abbey. After years of being outnumbered, he welcomed a son-in- law, Michael Bertolino, and soon became Papa to three loving grandsons that were his pride and joy – Joseph Edward, Vincent Anthony and Dominic Ray.

Being an athlete and loving sports was a common thread throughout his life. A three-sport athlete, his high school athletic career was one for the record books. At Buckeye West, he starred as a halfback on the football field and was a starting guard on the basketball team that achieved an undefeated 18-0 season. In his senior baseball season, Buckeye West went to the OHSAA state tournament where Ed pitched a no-hitter in the semi-final game. If you attend the baseball tournament today, you will still find his name in the program, as only 12 others have accomplished this feat.

His pitching arm did more than win his team a state runner up trophy – it hurled him into a college scholarship and the opportunity to pitch for West Liberty College in West Virginia, where he earned a degree in Physical Education/ Health and Driver’s Training.

His degree led to a rewarding career in education, during which kids with special needs or classroom challenges benefitted from his big heart and gentle patience. He also continued to impress students with his smooth jump shot when he taught physical education. He taught at several schools over his career from his own elementary school, St. Casimir in Adena, to Harrison Hills and eventually to Buckeye Local High School. Buckeye was a family affair – it was where his daughters attended high school and where Glenda also taught. They retired from Buckeye together in 2013. Coach D also served as assistant basketball coach to the Lady Panthers in the years Kasey played. He spent several years teaching alongside a friend who was like a brother to him, Kevin Soos.

He took on golf as his next athletic challenge. Donning his signature TaylorMade hat, he enjoyed any golf course and even got to putt on a green at Pebble Beach, but his favorite place was Bec-Wood Hills with his long-time golfing buddies and friends, Joe Supinski and Dan Bednarski. Joe witnessed Ed’s hole-in- one on the 16th hole on October 16, 2011.

He was quiet to most but if you were lucky enough, you knew he had a cutting sense of humor mixed with sarcasm and an appropriate Seinfeld quote. He enjoyed a banana split from the Dairy Jean and watching the sunset with Glenda in their beautiful backyard on Route 150, a home they shared for 37 years. He loved watching over Abbey – his best buddy.

Over the last few years, his support circle beyond his family has included loving care from Brandy Bezak.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and JoAnne and father-in-law, Lowell Hostetler. He leaves behind his wife, Glenda, his daughters, Kasey (Michael) and Abbey, and grandchildren, Joseph, Vincent and Dominic, mother-in-law Sandra Hostetler, and other extended family and friends.

The family will hold a private celebration of his life. In honor of Ed, please consider a donation to the Buckeye Local Athletic Department to support future athletes. Checks can be made out to Buckeye Local School District and mailed to 6899 State Route 150, Dillonvale, OH 43917, and include In Memory of Ed Dulkoski in the memo.

You can also honor Ed today by simply playing a round of golf, laughing all over again at an episode of Seinfeld, or enjoying a banana split.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www. borkoskifuneral.com