Obituaries
Stanley “Coach Kab” Kabacinski, 72
April 19, 2022
Stanley “Coach Kab” Kabacinski of Lancaster, PA, formerly of Duryea, PA, passed away on April 19, 2022 at the age of 72. Father. Coach. Educator. Motivational Speaker. And so much more, Coach Kab created a legacy of passion and enthusiasm for life with his trademark “Yes!” exclamation and a pumped fist.
Coach Kab was born on May 23, 1949 in Duryea, PA, the son of Bernard and Anna (Pulaski) Kabacinski. He earned his Bachelors of Science and Masters of Education in Health, Physical Education and Dance from East Stroudsburg State College in 1971 and 1975 respectively.
On June 26, 1971, he married Mary Claire Finnerty, his wife of 51 years, and love of his life. They had two sons, Ryan and Michael who were the center of his world.
Coach Kab’s eclectic and passionate career led him to do everything from training the Chinese Women’s National Soccer Team to researching performance enhancement with the Russian National Wrestling Team, to motivating numerous state champion high school teams, to coaching his sons little league teams. In total, he coached or advised on 24 different sports in his career.
Coach Kab played offensive line, wearing #72 for the East Stroudsburg Warriors from 1967-1971. He had a Hall of Fame career both as a player and a coach for ESU. Named in 2014 for his coaching on the back-to-back undefeated 1975 & 76 Warrior teams, and later in 2019, for his play on the undefeated 1968 team.
In 1978, he moved to Lancaster and began a fulfilling career coaching and teaching at Millersville University. From 1978-88, he served as offensive coordinator, strength coach and recruiting coordinator for the Marauders. Noted run game guru, Coach Kab studied the veer offense at Nebraska under Tom Osborne, and brought it to Marauders to great success during the 1980s, with nine winning seasons in ten years. After 1988, he left coaching football with a career record of 118-48-4 (70.6 win%).
In 1989, after training with the American Coaching Effectiveness Program (ACEP) and researching with the U.S. Military Academy Performance Enhancement Center at West Point, Coach Kab started the Athletic Coaching Minor at Millersville University, recognized as one of the top coaching programs in the country. That would lead him to serving on the PA Governor’s Council on Fitness and Sport, managing the training of all coaches in the state on bloodborne pathogens, and developing his own workbook for sport and life, “Coach Kab’s Heart of a Champion.”
As a motivational speaker, Coach Kab traveled the country as part of the NCAA speakers bureau, and helped to train coaches as an ACEP instructor. He conducted over 350 motivational seminars for teams and corporations. While teaching at Millersville, Coach Kab would go on to become Chairperson of the Department of Wellness and Sports Sciences in 1999, and helped to create the Masters program in Sports Management.
Retiring in 2009, he traveled with his wife Mary Claire to his favorite destinations including Cape May and Miami Beach. Retirement also allowed Coach Kab time to passionately cheer on his favorite teams, the New York Yankees and San Francisco 49ers. He also enjoyed sport card collecting, landscaping and swimming in his pool.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons, Ryan of Washington, D.C., and Michael husband of Brandi of Lancaster, PA. He is also survived by his siblings, Andre husband of Mary Ann of Duryea, PA, Paul Kabacinski, husband of John of Kingston, PA, Angela, wife of Daryl Rusnock and Mary Kabacinski, both of Duryea, PA, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by his brother Bernard Kabacinski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Friday, April 29, 2022, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s New Catholic cemetery. Family and Friends will be received from 10 AM – 11 AM at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Millersville University. Please visit www.millersville.edu/give2mu and select “Athletic Coaching Minor Program.” Checks, made out to Millersville University and indicating the designation on the memo, can be mailed to the Office of Development, PO Box 1002, Millersville, PA 17551.
Watch the tribute videoLeave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
May 03, 2022
To a great time in your Athletic Coaching Minor program in 2000, You were an awesome teacher Coach Kab very inspiring, & a great sense of humor may the lord be with you & family 👍
Jen Gross
May 01, 2022
As a classmate of Stan’s, PA Class of 1967, I remember him as a smiling, friendly person. One of our football players who worked hard for the team, which gave us a great one!! The PA Class of 67 extends their deepest sympathies to his wife, children, and family.
Ellen Scatena
April 28, 2022
Coach Kab was so inspiring and such an excellent educator. His passion for teaching and helping young professionals develop was tremendous. As a graduate student in the early 2000’s, his passion was very evident and his lessons still resonate today! He will be remembered with fondness and admiration. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones as they celebrate the wonderful life and legacy he lived and left.
April 27, 2022
Stanley and I grew up in Duryea, attended Holy Rosary School, served as Altar Boys, and just hung out. Kab was a constant presence— quiet but always had you back. We were proud Polish kids, played ball, spent time along the River , loved friends, family and life.
He practiced and played hard. Gave it his all.
His memory will always be. He was a member of our first PITTSTON Area Football Team… Coach Bob Barbieri passed away a few months ago. He was our head coach. Stanley Kab and Coach are talkin football again.. May they enjoy every minute of it!!!
Rich Rava
April 27, 2022
My sympathies to Coach Kab’s family. I met him back in 1980 when I helped coach spring football. He was a dynamo then and his energy, enthusiasm and positive attitude with life had a big impact on me as I continued my HS football coaching career. Our paths crossed often at the ‘Ville and we always had a warm greeting for each other. He was a good man and I’m sure he will be missed by many beyond his family. May God’s Peace be with all of you.
April 27, 2022
I first met Coach Kab in the early 90’s in high school when he offered a motivational seminar for the Hempfield baseball team. I was one of the first Coaching Minor students at MU and was drawn to his enthusiasm and positive approach to coaching. To this day, I continue to apply the values I learned from him as I have since coached at Hempfield High school and then, at the Tball level when my son was old enough to play. He is now enjoying the game at the 12U level. I am proud to help carry Coach Kab’s legacy forward as I continue to teach the next generation.
April 27, 2022
Coach Kab made a huge impact on my life and career. I completed the coaching minor as an undergraduate and was part of the Millersville Wrestling team at the time. I was able to utilize the mental motivation that Coach Kab was so passionate about into my own wrestling career. As a graduate, I once again connected with Coach Kab in the graduate study program. As a current high school coach, I use his words of wisdom, motivation and coaching techniques continously. Coach Kab made a difference in my life and this will continue for all the coaches who continue to pass his wisdom on to their athletes. My deepest condolences to the family.
April 27, 2022
Please accept my sincerest sympathy on the passing of you husband and father. I remember your family as being kind and very interested in education. Sending prayers for all of you during this difficult time.
April 27, 2022
Coach Kab was one of the great influencers of my education at MU. I recall more of what he taught me, almost 30 years later, than any other educator there. I remember his enthusiasm, as well as his wisdom and insight into all the classes, but also transferring it to help the athletic team that I was involved with, women’s basketball. I can still remember him telling us about the eyes of a free throw shooter, those who are looking ahead, those looking back at the past or those who are focused on the now. Rest easy!!
April 27, 2022
I was at MU from 1990 – 1995 where I wrestled and received my minor in coaching along with my BS in Ed. I believe this was one of the first years that the coaching minor was introduced at MU. I was grateful that due to his vision, Coach Kab was able to develop the coaching minor program. But it was Coach Kab’s passion for coaching and teaching that brought the program to life and turned in from a simple minor in to a way of life! Coach Kab taught with such enthusiasm and passion that it was contagious to all. I distinctly rememeber him “firing off anchors” in class! What a legend and great man. It is a good feeling knowing that he postively touched the lives of so many through his many years of public service as a teacher and a coach. Thanks for all the memories and wisdom that you imparted on me and thousands of others!! RIP Coach Kab
April 27, 2022
I was a part of the Athletic Coaching program at MU in the late 90’s. Coach Kab was the most influencial educator to me during my time at MU. I still have his textbooks! His lessons went beyond the class room and athletic field. The world lost a great man but has left a lasting impression on so many. My condolences to the family. -Tom Toland
April 27, 2022
I was a member of Millersville Ice Hockey club, and we did a motivational session with Coach Kab. From that I enrolled in the Athletic Coaching minor. Coach Kab was an amazing teacher, and helped stoke a desire to get into coaching. Starting right after college, I have been coaching ice hockey for almost 25 years, and it has been amazing. I am currently, completing my Master’s degree in Sports Management at West Chester this spring. I have Coach Kab to thank for unlocking this desire in me!
April 27, 2022
Mary and family – our deepest condolences on Stan’s passing. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. GOD Bless – Bob & Deb BODNAR
April 26, 2022
My sincere condolences to the Kabacinski family. I have so many fond memories of them. I regret that I will not be able to attend the service, but I will be thinking of you and sending prayers.
April 26, 2022
I had Coach Kab at Millersville in the late 90s, and got the athletic coaching minor from him, too. What an incredible man. I learned so much from him and can say he was one of my favorite professors at MU. I don’t live in the area anymore, so I can’t come to pay my respects in person. Please know Coach Kab was one of the good guys. He made such a difference in so many lives, my own included. My deepest sympathies to his family. Heather (Leed) Neary, class of 1999
April 26, 2022
I was a student of Coach Kab’s in the early 2000’s at MU. He was an amazing educator and allowed me to be creative in my assignments. Although the content was sports related, I remember continuously writing in my assignments how it is so useful for life in general. His love for his job and his students is something I will always remember and look up to. Condolences to his family.
April 26, 2022
I was an older student in 1987 and I took coach cabs summer El Ed physics Ed course. Coach allowed me to bring my 4 kids to class to practice with. They loved it. He was a sweet man. I’m glad I got to know him.
April 26, 2022
Coach Kab instructed me in the late 80’s for one of my classes at Millersville. He will always hold a special place in my heart as someone who truly loved what he was doing. His enthusiasm and supportive nature was always appreciated. May God bless you all!
April 26, 2022
Dear Ryan and Michael,
So sorry to hear of your father’s death. I well remember how much you liked the story of Harold and Maude in our film class many years ago, and I think Ruth Gordon’s “go and love some more” is something your dad would have embraced at this time. I hope the many great memories will bring you peace.
April 26, 2022
I was lucky enough to have Coach Kab at Millersville, my Junior year I decided to pursue the coaching minor and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. His class taught so much in life lessons and the power of the mind. I still have my wooden board, split in half, thanks to him.
April 26, 2022
Hello,
On behalf of the DeHart family, I wish to send my condolences to Kabacinski family. Both my father, Richard and I worked with Stan at Pucillo Gym. What a positive force he was! He certainly made an impact on many.
My best to your family,
Molly DeHart Henderson
April 26, 2022
Coach Kab was a mentor that helped me in my coaching profession at MU! He was one of the best motivational speakers around! We were preparing for a round in the NCAA tournament and I asked him the night before to talk to our team. We met that Sunday night up in the Pucillo classroom and when he was done, we walked out onto our court and I know our team seriously felt that we could beat Tennessee ( they were the top team back then)!
April 25, 2022
Coach Kab was an educator who made a difference. I can still remember his amazing speeches he would give. Deepest condolences to his family, friends, students and players he coached. Rest Easy Coach Kab!
~Alisha Bierkamp
April 25, 2022
I’m so sad to hear of coach Kabs passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at MU and had such passion for his job and in his life in general. His enthusiasm was very catchy and you always left his class feeling better about everything. I will always remember how excited he got when the Chinese National team came to MU. He was in heaven!! I will never forget the impact he had on my life. Till we meet again Coach Kab!! 💜💜
April 25, 2022
Coach Kab hired me as the first graduate assistant for the sports management program. I worked with him everyday for 2 years and he was an amazing person! He gave me confidence, poise, encouragement and was the greatest mentor I could have asked for. I loved to laugh with him each day, get Stromboli one a week for lunch and learn about life through his experiences. He changed my life for the better and I’m so thankful for him. Please accept my condolences and know he impacted people each and every day. Thinking of you all and sending love and prayers.
April 25, 2022
I had Coach Kab for two classes in 1991, which literally left a lasting impression on me! I was always greatful!
