Jack Kohanski (1937-2013)
Central New York lost a great one on Friday when John "Jack" Kohanski passed away after nearly a decade-long battle with cancer.
He was 75 years old.
Kohanski coached Fowler baseball for over 25 years and before that was a baseball coach in the Parochial Leagues.
To try and estimate how many lives Kohanski had an impact on, especially in Syracuse's west side is impossible. His effect on the community is immeasurable.
Kohanski didn't even let his initial cancer diagnosis stop him from coaching his beloved Fowler Falcons, while it did eventually force him to retire, he gave it a valiant fight.
Evidence of that, Jack's son Jim tells me that initially doctors gave him 8 months to live after his diagnosis.
Jack pressed on for another 8 years.
He was also a star athlete in his day. A 5'4" guard he regularly scored over 40 points, including a 49 point outburst in a loss to CBA that made local headlines.
"He's one of the best sports legends on the west end of Syracuse" says Jim Kohanski.
"There are hundreds and hundreds of kids who would back that up. 100 percent." Jim adds.
Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, and while Kohanski lives on in sports fans' memories here in towm his name will also stand the test of time.
Not only is the baseball field at Fowler named after him, but in the wake of his passing, the Kohanski family is now starting an effort to have Jack forever enshrined in the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.
