J. Richard “Dick” Piwowarski

Mr "P" Thank you for the role you played in my life. I will always remember the great years I spent at BG and the mentoring from my coach! RIP my friend.

Listening to Coach P's Cardinals on the radio while my brother Timmy took snaps in the early '80s... watching Coach P's son Steve come in as a freshman and rally BG against Nashua High in the Turkey Bowl just a year or two later... listening to Coach's 'NFL Films' music to get up for the Nashua game as a tiny freshman in '86... enjoying Coach's Chemistry Class in '87... playing for his last football team in '88... and going back to visit him on several occasions during my years as an Air Force pilot: countless memories and pivotal lessons learned on the 'fields of friendly strife', with an iconic and unforgettable leader and teacher at the helm. You'll be missed, Coach. But your legacy will live on forever, in the countless men you've influenced. Thank you.

Have a blast in Heaven, Mr. P. Have a drink with Mom, Dad, Freddie and Charlie for me. I hope to meet again, but not too soon. Wiz

Dear Piwowarskis: I have been in Illinois now for four decades. My brother Phil (Bath, ME) is my link to news from Nashua and environs. In this way, I just learned of the death of Mr. Dick Piwowarski. There were seven boys in our family. No girls. Six of us graduated from Bishop Guertin. All six knew Mr. P as coach or teacher. My brother Mike and I played football for him. Pretty tough going those early years, but loved it. Enjoyed playing for him. Please know that I respected him deeply and am profoundly saddened to hear of his death. I would like to share with you three very special memories I have which directly involved your Dad/Grandpa in one way or another. 1) My senior year (66-67), I decided to try out for basketball since he was going to coach that after football. I’m OK at basketball, but only as far as playing in neighborhood driveways! That was VERY apparent when I worked out with others who were trying out and with the returning players. After tryouts had begun, I was offered the position of co-editor of the first BG yearbook. Academics mattered to me. With editing a yearbook, academic load and other things going on for me, I decided to drop basketball. So before the official start of the season, I headed to Coach’s office to tell him I was dropping. He listened to me, leaned back in his chair, smiled, looked at me and said, “That’s OK Colin, you wouldn’t have played much anyway!” We both laughed because we knew that was an honest assessment of my basketball skills! I could play left tackle for him in football, but I just wasn’t cut out for varsity basketball. He was always straight-up honest with me. 2) Without his knowing it, Mr. P was responsible for getting me the first steak & egg breakfast I ever had in my life. I forget the team we were playing—Hudson Catholic, maybe. Whatever team we were facing, we had to leave Nashua early to get there to play an early game. Coach Piwowarski talked about players eating a good breakfast so they would be ready to play hard. “Tell your Mom you want steak and eggs,” he said. I had always heard about—but never tasted—steak & eggs together. So, I thought I could get that from my Mom if I threw the weight of Coach behind it. I went home and told my Mom and Dad that Mr. P said we should have steak and eggs for breakfast before the game. I got the steak and eggs! 3) Mr. P was a prophet! We were in the old mini-theater (between original commons area locker rooms; have no idea what that space is called today) for a football team meeting. We were putting in a new play with a special blocking scheme. As a lineman, I regularly blocked for my brother Mike who was a halfback on offense. After diagramming the play, Coach looked at me and said, “Colin, if you miss your block, Mike is going to get killed.” The play worked pretty well at practice. But—wouldn’t you know it—in the game, Coach called the play, I missed my block, Mike was leveled by the linebacker, and had to be carried off the field. To this day, whenever family can get together, Mike reminds me that my execution—or lack thereof—on that play caused him much pain and suffering. Colin Letendre Rock Island, IL

Thoughts and prayers to the entire Piwowarski clan on the passing of a great man.... From coaching me on the East Little League Lions to teaching IPS and being my AD during my BG years, he was a wonderful person, and I'm happy to have known him. RIP, Mr P...

Uncle Dick was a remarkable man and we were all blessed to have him as part of our family. You are in my prayers during this very sad time. With love and heartfelt condolences.

Coach P was an incredible role model and mentor. I have many great memories of him at their Laton Street home and at at Jaurons Sporting Goods as a kid growing up. Our families thoughts and prayers are with Rick, PJ, Steve, Celeste, Matt and the extended family.

Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Your father was an inspiration to so many. Wishing all of you peace and comfort in your time of sorrow. May he Rest In Peace with the Lord.

I have so many fond childhood memories of Uncle Dick and The Piwowarski Family. We had so many good times at Hampton Beach , Fenway Park, Backyard cookouts and Schefer Stadium. Remember the salt and pepper Morris Miner Cars? Dick had the white one my Dad had the black one. One common thread of my memories was Dick always smiling and happy, he totally enjoyed us kids. To my cousins ,Ricky, Matt, Celeste, PJ and Steve I was saddened by the news of Uncle Dick's passing and Deb and I send our condolences to all of you and your families. He is with Yvonne now. And as I told Dick a few years back Thank You.

My deepest condolences to the Piwowarski family during this difficult time. My heart filled with sadness and my eyes filled with tears when I learned of his passing Sunday night. Other than my father he was the most influential person in my life, he was such and inspiration the way he lived his life by putting God, his family and Bishop Guertin above all else. I was fortunate to have him as a teacher and as a coach, the values that I learned from him have carried me throughout my life. The legacy he left at BG will never be matched. May you find comfort that his life impacted thousands and he's at peace with our Lord.

Rick, Celeste, Steve, P.J. Matt, and families, so sorry for yours and our loss. Coach P was instrumental in building the foundation of my character. He taught me to work hard and "give when your arms are too weary". He knew when I had more to give before I did. Coach P rest in peace and thanks for all you did for so many

I grew up with Yvonne piwowarski and remember well when she started dating Dick . It was love at first sight. A wonderful couple and family. My sympathy to their family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Piwowarski family. In my opinion he was the greatest coach in the city of Nashua and probably all of southern N.H. during his tenure as coach. I'll be forever proud to have been part of the first winning football season at B.G. Michael P. Letendre ( class of 69 )

Coach P. was a great guy and a great coach. What a tremendous life he lead: positively impacting so many kids. He was also a very strong and devout Catholic, and he no doubt is in a far better place now. I will always remember him not only attending my Mother's wake (and saying hello to everyone)-- but also the next day slipping in the back of St. Pats (trying not to be noticed) to attend the funeral and pray. I am sure that same strong faith will help the Piwowarski family get through this loss. God bless you guys!

Piwowarski Family, please accept my heartfelt sympathies and condolences on the passing of "Coach P" (how I have and how I always will remember him). He was "my" HS football coach and even 40 years later I can still hear his voice and feel his influence on me. He was a humble but truly devoted and dedicated man; family, players, students, fans. They say the great coaches are really teachers. That was Coach P. Even to this day, I can still remember him pulling us all together in the locker room, just before taking the field for our BG football games and he would play "The Impossible Dream"..... And we had a great run during those years at BG! My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time but please know you have so many people saying the same that I am saying right now..."God Bless Coach P!"

My most sincere sympathy upon the loss of a very fine man. His example as a spouse, dad, coach, and colleague was an inspiration. May he rest in peace. God bless you.

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the entire Piwowarski Family. Especially Rick, my good friend and his siblings Celeste, P.J., Steve and Matt. "Coach" Dick Piwowarski was the first and only head football coach that I ever knew. His commitment to his family, to the team and to "Bishop Guertin High School" was remarkable. It is a trait I've seen in great men and a measuring stick to which I strive, even to this day to attain. In the few short years that I was in the presence of Coach Piwowarski, I learned more about being a good man, brother, son and a friend than probably anyone else in my life besides my father. God Bless him and his family. May he rest in peace.

Rick, Celeste, Steve, P.J. and Matt, Your dad was a special man who has always had a special place in my heart as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend. He made such a positive difference in the lives of thousands of young people like me, and inspired us to achieve things we didn't think we could. What an incredible lasting legacy he has left. Mr. P, we already miss you! May God comfort you in your time of loss.

My sincerest condolences to you all, Rick, Celeste, Steve, P.J. and Matt, and families. If at the end of my life I could be considered to have touched the lives of a mere fraction of those your Dad, my Coach "P", did, It could be said I lived a full life and fulfilled my purpose. He was undoubtedly one of the most principally influential people in my life and I am blessed and thankful for his presence in my life. I'm so sorry I cannot make the services, please know I am there in heart and spirit and prayers. God Bless. I can see the pearly gates being replaced by goalposts....and God standing beneath them looking at Coach approaching..."Let's go"

Condolences from a former North end Nashuan. I went to Mt. Pleasant with Matt back so long ago. Bless all the Piwowarskis. You have gone from Laton Street days to share the Piwowarski Way with the wider world. Even 40 years later your name and fame are timeless and priceless. Thoughts and Prayers.

My condolences to the My condolences to the Family. We had many great times coaching against each other and working as Athletic Directors. Rest in Peace

Condolences to the Piwowarski family from an ex student from the Class of 1973. Dick had a "chemistry" to teach us and a "chemistry" to make the BG football team excel even though I wasn't part of that team he had the same "chemistry" with the BG football team that Bill Belichick has with the Patriots. God bless Dick and may he rest in peace.

To the Piwowarski family===my sincere sympathy to you all....great memories of "Mr. P" at Bishop Guertin during the wild and wonderful years of 1966--1970....he made a live-long impression on us all to become better individuals. To those of us in the Class of '70 he was truly our coach, our teacher, our friend....God bless him!!!

To Matt and Steve! So Sorry to hear about your dad! the turkey morning football between Nashua high and BG Games were fun! your both in my prayers

My sincere condolences to your family. I was so fortunate to work with your Dad /Grandfather at BG for many years. His kindness and friendship to me as a beginning teacher and over the years will never be forgotten. He was a Class Act. May He Rest In Peace .

Mr. P . . . May you dance in then End Zone of Life, celebrating a life well lived, as you have celebrated many Cardinal goal-line stands and touchdowns . . .

Coach P was, and always will be, the coach of the year in my eyes. May he rest in peace. Condolences and deepest sympathies to all of the Piwowarski Family.

Yesterday afternoon I was thinking about your dad's classes in IPS and Chemistry at BG and couldn't help but laugh at some of his antics. I didn't know then that his antics were his greatest teaching methods. Yesterday I realized that I'm using some of those same antics on my students. He was a good man, and he taught me well. Alan Gillis

On behalf of the entire Bishop Guertin Family, please accept our heartfelt condolences upon the loss of your dad, grandfather and our beloved colleague and friend. He positively impacted the lives of so many and they in turn will impact the lives of others. What a great legacy he has left! May he rest in peace and may his memory be eternal. Linda Brodeur, President

Rick, Celeste, Steve, P.J. and Matt, On behalf of all of us at Affinity please accept our sincerest condolences. Your Dad was a great man who we are honored we had the opportunity to serve. May he rest in peace.

In the summer of 1968, Coach P showed up to my home in Hudson to talk to this rising BGHS freshman to encourage me not to quit the football team. Besides seeing something in me on the football field, Coach encouraged me over the next four years, getting me to apply to the service academies and selecting me to be one of the football teams tri-captains along with Andy Everett and Steve Bouchard in 1971. We took the Div III state championship that year and I was selected, along with several others, to be on the All State Football team. I was also selected by the underclass as Mr Senior that year and decided to attend West Point. After a 27-year Army career followed by another 10 years of public service, 8 years in which I coached high school football myself, and doing my best to be a good father of a family of four and one foster daughter, I tearfully mourn Coach P's passing and am truly thankful he made that trip cross town to save a pimpled-faced young person and set me on such a wonderful journey. I take a quantum of solace knowing Coach is in a better place and pray that his family, although saddened by his loss, can take comfort knowing he lead a purposeful and important life that helped so many people, one person at a time. Coach is at peace, God Bless.

Rick, Celeste, Steve, P.J. and Matt, There are no words to express my sadness at the passing of your Dad. He was such a major part of my youth and adulthood. I will never forget his guidance or kindness to me over the years. May you take comfort in knowing he had a profound impact on countless lives. God Bless all of you now and always.

He was a great coach. I remember our team winning divisions under him.

What a genuinely loving man. I was fortunate to work with him at BG for 23 years. His humility was his trademark! May you all find comfort in knowing he joins your Mom in Paradise.

My condolences to the Piwowarski Family. I will always remember your father as my Chemistry teacher and football coach. He was a great man and surely has influenced generations of families through his selfless contributions to Bishop Guertin, Nashua and with his own family. God Bless you all and may you find comfort during this difficult time with the knowledge that he is in eternal peace with our Lord in Heaven.

Claude Ouellette: Your dad was a humble and honest man. He and I were good friends while I taught with him at B.G. I truly loved him and will miss him. God bless you in your loss. Claude.

On behalf of my mother and myself, our condolences to the Piwowarski Family. I remember your Dad always with a smile on his face. May he rest in peace.