Obituary for John R. Jenkins Sr.
STILLWATER - John R. Jenkins, 78, longtime local wrestling coach/advocate, died peacefully in the comfort of his home on December 26, 2021, with his loving family by his side. Born in Ballston Spa on December 8, 1943, he was the son of the late Thomas Sidney Jenkins, Sr. and Mary DiPuccio Jenkins Scott, and stepson of the late Bill Scott. John's father Tom passed at a young age, when John was only 18.
A 1962 graduate of Ballston Spa High School, John joined the US Army proudly serving his country for nearly 3 years. During his time with the Army, John wrestled for the US Army Wrestling Team at West Point, at one time qualifying for the Olympic trials, and also receiving numerous awards. He also played for the football team. It was here that he also started his coaching career, coaching both wrestling and football at a local high school.
Upon returning home from the service, John played some semipro football for the Schenectady Stormers and the Glove City Colonials until the birth of his son in 1970. John was instrumental in the formation of the Ballston Spa Mat club for youth wrestlers and also as a coach for the Mechanicville Pee Wee wrestling program. He was also a longtime assistant for the Mechanicville High School wrestling program. When he and wife Phyllis retired and began wintering in Florida, John coached at Pinella High School and Bayshore High School for 1 year each.
John worked for over 26 years as a millwright carpenter with Saint Gobain(former Norton Co) until retiring in 2005. He was a longtime member of the Ballston Spa Elks Lodge and the American Legion in Sarasota, FL, where he and Phyllis wintered. John helped shaped the lives of many of the youth he coached throughout the years. With his own family, he was a loving grandfather who enjoyed the company of his family.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Phyllis Marzano Jenkins, whom he married on October 12, 1968, loving children John Jenkins Jr and Justine Jenkins Cooper, both of Stillwater, grandchildren Brooke and Brady Cooper, sister in law Frances Jenkins and her daughter niece Erica(Tom) Hickey and great niece Sidney Jenkins-Gorman, sister-in-law Anita (Michael) Carney and their daughter, niece Renee Carney. He was predeceased by his brother Thomas Sidney Jenkins, Jr..
Calling hours Thursday from 5-7 PM at DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville, NY 12118. A Funeral Home service will be Friday at 11` AM, with military honors and burial to follow in Saratoga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the future John Jenkins Scholarship to support Red Warriors Wrestling seniors. Checks made payable to John Jenkins Scholarship, c/o DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville, NY 12118.
A 1962 graduate of Ballston Spa High School, John joined the US Army proudly serving his country for nearly 3 years. During his time with the Army, John wrestled for the US Army Wrestling Team at West Point, at one time qualifying for the Olympic trials, and also receiving numerous awards. He also played for the football team. It was here that he also started his coaching career, coaching both wrestling and football at a local high school.
Upon returning home from the service, John played some semipro football for the Schenectady Stormers and the Glove City Colonials until the birth of his son in 1970. John was instrumental in the formation of the Ballston Spa Mat club for youth wrestlers and also as a coach for the Mechanicville Pee Wee wrestling program. He was also a longtime assistant for the Mechanicville High School wrestling program. When he and wife Phyllis retired and began wintering in Florida, John coached at Pinella High School and Bayshore High School for 1 year each.
John worked for over 26 years as a millwright carpenter with Saint Gobain(former Norton Co) until retiring in 2005. He was a longtime member of the Ballston Spa Elks Lodge and the American Legion in Sarasota, FL, where he and Phyllis wintered. John helped shaped the lives of many of the youth he coached throughout the years. With his own family, he was a loving grandfather who enjoyed the company of his family.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Phyllis Marzano Jenkins, whom he married on October 12, 1968, loving children John Jenkins Jr and Justine Jenkins Cooper, both of Stillwater, grandchildren Brooke and Brady Cooper, sister in law Frances Jenkins and her daughter niece Erica(Tom) Hickey and great niece Sidney Jenkins-Gorman, sister-in-law Anita (Michael) Carney and their daughter, niece Renee Carney. He was predeceased by his brother Thomas Sidney Jenkins, Jr..
Calling hours Thursday from 5-7 PM at DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville, NY 12118. A Funeral Home service will be Friday at 11` AM, with military honors and burial to follow in Saratoga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the future John Jenkins Scholarship to support Red Warriors Wrestling seniors. Checks made payable to John Jenkins Scholarship, c/o DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville, NY 12118.