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Walter H. Milinski, Sr.

February 07, 1935 - August 08, 2023

Text:

Obituary For Walter H. Milinski, Sr.

On August 8, 2023, at age 88, Pittsburgh lost a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather,
educator, and coach. Walter was born on the South Side of Pittsburgh to parents, Joseph and Helen
Milinski and lived most of his adult life in Mt. Oliver Boro. Walter was preceded in death by his three
brothers, Joseph, Stanley, and Daniel and two sisters, Rosemary (Lazarz) and Eileen (Mittenzwey). He is
survived by his wife Nancy and five children: Suzan (Chuck) Rakaczky, Walter, Jr (Nancy), Michelle
Milinski, Janine (Adam) Gross and Cheryl (the late Leon) Bonds. Walter was very proud of his fifteen
grandchildren: Sara (Justin) Parisi, Vanessa (Andrew) Pogozelski, Ryan McCormick, Alexis (Clarence)
Reynolds, Charlotte Rakaczky, Emily (Steve) Macomber, Claire (Max) Cookinham, Hannah Gross, Harrison (Samantha) Milinski, Aaron Gross, Walter Bonds, Julian Bonds, Sydney Bonds, Charles Rakaczky, Jr. and Eme Gross. He also is survived by nine loving great-grandchildren: Jasper, Tabitha, Flora, Ellis, Van, Henry, Ada, Theodosia, and Bennett. Walter also had many loving nieces and nephews.
Walter graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1952 and went on to earn a scholarship to play
basketball for St. Francis College (PA). As a starter he was instrumental in helping St. Francis advance to
the semi-final round of the NIT tournament in 1955.
After graduation from college, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Jane Lutz. His first jobs took
him and his new bride to eastern Pennsylvania where he taught and coached for three years at St. Francis Prep and Lancaster Catholic. His return to Pittsburgh was due to his recruitment by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to join the staff of the newly opened Canevin High School. He served as a faculty
member and the school’s first Athletic Director. He was the basketball and football coach for the next 6
years, coaching the boys’ basketball team to prominence in the Pittsburgh Catholic league and
recognition as one of the best teams in the state.
He then went on to complete a master’s degree in counseling from Duquesne University and worked as a
college counselor at Robert Morris University and CCAC for 30 years until his retirement. He was always
committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals.
In addition to his deep love and dedication to his family and faith, Walter loved coaching basketball. Waltcontinued to coach at all levels including St. Joseph, Mt. Oliver boys’ grade school and high school as well as coaching his grandsons at St. Philip Grade School. He also served as a long-term assistant coach on Pittsburgh’s very successful men’s basketball teams at CCAC. He was Seton LaSalle High School’s varsity coach for the 1986-88 seasons and led the team to the school’s first and only state basketball
championship.
Since his retirement, Walter has enjoyed traveling, spending time with his wife and children and
attending countless numbers of his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was an avid reader and
committed to his Catholic faith. Rest in peace beloved Husband, Father, Old Pap Teddy, and Coach.
Family and friends will be received on Saturday and Sunday, August 12 and 13, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m at the JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME, 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227. Funeral prayer on Monday morning at 9:30. Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Trinity Parish, St. Albert the Great Church at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests scholarship donations to Bishop Canevin High School (https://bishopcanevin.org/support) or Saint Francis University (<https://www.francis.edu/advancement-division/ways-to-give>).

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Condolences

  • August 12, 2023

    Brian Walters

    Such sad news. I had the honor and privilege of playing basketball for Coach for 2 seasons from 1986-1988 at Seton-LaSalle High School . A true leader of young men and a throwback to an era when hard work, integrity, humility and determination truly mattered. Grateful for the hard lessons learned from Coach during those 2 extraordinary seasons, which included a state championship. Thanks for teaching my teammates and me how to accept responsibility, embrace tough-mindedness and be accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless - Brian Walters (Seton-LaSalle HS Class of 1988)

  • August 11, 2023

    Rich Schlegel

    Thanks for being such a great coach of the St. Joe's Mount Oliver Flying Dutchmen High School Team of the early 70's. You had your work cut-out for you! Rich (Knute) Schlegel

  • August 10, 2023

    Rita Yunker

    Sue. I was sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Please know that you and the family will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend either the viewing or the Mass. Rita Yunker

  • August 10, 2023

    Tom Kreminsky

    So sorry for your loss great coach and better person

  • August 10, 2023

    Bill Beerman

    My sincere condolences to the Milinski Family. I played basketball for Coach Milinski at Canevin High School from 1959-1963. He was the first Coach/Athletic Director the school ever had. He was the architect of the early Canevin High School athletic program and did an outstanding job. His accomplishments speak for themselves. R.I.P Bill Beerman

  • August 09, 2023

    Herman Dieckmann

    I had the honor to work for Walt at transverse field one summer and run the basketball league there. Always a gentleman and a leader but more a friend. RIP my friend.

  • August 09, 2023

    William Lonero

    Great coach & mentor, great man , one of the biggest influences in my life . Love you Coach , God bless you & your family ❤️