Alan Wolejko Obituary, Death – Alan Wolejko At the age of 72, Alan Wolejko passed away in Pinehurst, North Carolina, on November 18, 2022. He was a loyal spouse, father of two children, and friend to many. Alan was welcomed by Edward Wolejko and Helen Prasol on May 25, 1950, in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Alan played basketball for the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for four years as a starter and for two years as team captain after graduating from Frontier Regional High School in Deerfield. Alan majored in education and physical education while earning a history degree in 1972. In 1994, he earned a Master of Science in sport management with a concentration on collegiate coaching and administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Alan taught history at Smith Academy in Hatfield, Massachusetts, for 38 years.
In the Pioneer Valley, Alan coached basketball for more than 35 years. He spent eight of those years at Amherst College, where the team won a national championship and had three Final Four appearances. Alan served as the head women’s basketball coach at Holyoke Community College for 10 seasons before beginning his position at Amherst College. He assisted his teams during that period in winning two New England Junior College titles as well as four state championships. He also served as the head men’s basketball coach at Westfield State (1995–98) and Stockbridge College after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for five years (1993–95). (1983-88). Alan got his start coaching basketball at Smith Academy, where he was in charge of the boys’ team from 1976 until 1983.
He also spent two seasons as the head coach of the boys’ team at Northampton High School, where he was named the 1992 Western Massachusetts Division I Coach of the Year. Alan’s decades of coaching and teaching have significantly improved the lives of countless athletes and students because assisting others was his life’s work.
Alan’s parents both passed away before him. He leaves behind his loving wife of 49 years, Dianne, his daughters Whitney (Brett) Page and Stacey (Benjamin) Passwaters, as well as four grandchildren. His sister Susan Coffin is likewise absent.
A service will be held at Boles’ funeral home in Southern Pines, North Carolina, on Friday, December 2, 2022. Western Massachusetts will later host a memorial service.