Title	Mr.
Last Name	Holsapple
First Name	Donald
Middle Name	Calvin
Maiden Name
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Kingston, NY
Date of Birth	1926-08-23
Place of Death	Dexter, ME
Date of Death	2012-04-01
Publication
Obituary	DEXTER - Donald Calvin "Coach" Holsapple, 85, died Sunday, April 1, 2012. He was born Aug. 23, 1926, in Kingston, N.Y., a son of Milton and Inez (Elliott) Holsapple. Don graduated from Redhook Central High School, class of 1944, where he played quarterback on the eight-man football team. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He was enrolled in Signalmans school and learned to send messages by line of sight. He was stationed in the Marshall Islands. After being discharged on June 1, 1946, Don entered Springfield College. Later, he attended the University of Maine, receiving a masters degrees in education and in business administration. He married his college sweetheart, Betty (Wiley) on Aug. 30, 1947. They lived in Springfield, Mass., while Don finished his degree and worked as a carpenter. The couple then moved to Dexter, where Don taught high school and coached football at N.H. Fay. Betty supported Don throughout her life in his business, educational and personal interests. Don taught biology, chemistry and physical education at Dexter High School. He also coached basketball, wrestling and football. During his football coaching career, he led the Dexter Tigers two times to the slate championship and was named Coach of the Year in 1951. Don also coached teams in Valley Stream, N.Y., and Brewer. In 1956, with Roger Gilbert and Ed Graham, Don purchased a large tract of land on Lake Wassookeag and built Camp Dexter, where up to 40 boys spent their summers and participated in Dexter Little League. Camp Dexter was also a source of local employment for many notable Dexter residents, such as Vern Bodwell, Ronnie Sands, Dick Barstow, Barry Hughes and John Parola. In 1982, with his family grown, the property was subdivided and sold. The family retained one cottage and still owns "Cooks Island" at the head of the pond, where Dons sons and grandchildren put in a slalom waterski course each summer. After receiving his masters degree in education, Don served as superintendent of the Pittsfield school system in 1964 to 1965 and the Dexter school system from 1965 to 1981, when he retired. He then took up harness horse racing. His harness racing awards include 1986 State Champ with a $15,000 purse. Don had many visitors in the final days of his life, including Frank "Spook" Spizuoco, who talked about playing for and coaching football with Don and about working at Camp Dexter many years; and Earl Richards, who talked about their wonderful days of harness racing at the state fairs. Don will be remembered as a well-rounded sportsman. He excelled in many sports, including tennis, basketball, waterskiing, horseback riding, fishing and hunting with his boys. Don was also locally considered to be a pretty good shot, and in 1964, he received the Biggest Buck of the Year award. He was awarded numerous tennis trophies as well. His annual match at Crosby Park with George Sampson during the 1970s became Dexter folklore. Don recently told his grandchildren, "I did what I had to do to survive. Thats what everyone does. Along the way I made some good investments." Among his best investments, he let them know, were his wife and boys. Betty predeceased him on May 4, 2000. He was also predeceased by a sister, Marjorie. He is survived by four sons, Bruce, of Magdalena, N.M., Gary, of Lincolnville (married to Pat), Kevin, of Crystal River, Fla. (married to Bobbi), and Eric, of Loveland, Colo. (married to Tracy); his brother, Robert, of Bearsville, N.Y. (married to Pat); a sister, Ethel McKerrol, of Freedom, N.Y. (married to George); nine grandchildren, Justin, Jacob, Megan, Nathan, Matthew, Benjamin, Ryan, Kaity and Kohlton; and nine great-grandchildren, Michael, Dimitri, Maliki, Shila, Obsidian, Isis, Hunter, Sloan and Daniel. Don is also fondly remembered by his longtime companion, Betty Whitney, of Dexter, who cared for Don tirelessly in his final days. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Crosby & Neal, 61 Main St., Dexter. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Christian Community Church, corner of Spring and Mill streets, Dexter, with his son, the Rev. Father Kevin Holsapple and Pastor Lois Field officiating. Spring burial will occur in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. Memorial donations may be made to the Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis, c/o Dexter, ME 04930. Those who wish may leave a message of condolence at www.CrosbyNeal.com.