Francis J. “Doc” Malinoski

He was born Oct. 29, 1925, in Cattaraugus, N.Y., a son of John and Mildred Duwe Malinoski.

Doc was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Naval Amphibian Forces. He participated in the U.S. invasions at Normandy, southern France, and Okinawa. After the war, he went on to Ithaca College where he obtained a degree in physical education in 1949 and met the love of his life, Martha Jane Banton. They were married in 1947 and remained devoted to each other until her passing in 2009. Doc obtained his master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1957.

Doc became the coach and athletic director at Delevan-Machias Central School from 1949-55. His teams won county and sectional championships in football, basketball, baseball and track. After a year in Niagara Falls coaching at a YMCA, Doc began his 27-year tenure as a teacher, coach and athletic director at Mayville Central School. He led MCS teams to numerous county and sectional championships in football, basketball, baseball and track.

Over the years, Doc was involved in many Chautauqua County athletic administrative leadership roles. Among the many awards he received throughout his career, he was most proud of being recognized by the New York State Coaches Association on four different occasions.

Upon his retirement in 1983, the Mayville Central School Board of Education honored him by naming the school gymnasium in his honor. During the summer months on Chautauqua Lake, Coach led the Lakeside Park Recreation program and taught Red Cross swim lessons to hundreds of local children over a span of 26 years.

In addition to his wife, Doc was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Edward Malinoski of Mayville.

He is survived by his three sons and one daughter: Dr. Andrew (Margaret) Malinoski of Bemus Point, N.Y., Julie (John) VanDeMar of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., John (Kristin) Malinoski of Richmond, Va., and Peter (Nancy) Malinoski of Hyattsville, Md.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

The funeral service will be held at the former Mayville Central School building on Academy Street in the former high school library. Calling hours will be from 9-11 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Mayville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Coach “Doc” Malinoski Sportsmanship Award at Chautauqua Lake Central School in Mayville, NY 14757, or to the Mayville Lakeside Park, PO Box 188, Mayville, NY 14757. Remembrances or to light a candle for “Doc”, go to www.freyfuneralhome.com.