- Date Of Birth: March 29, 1929
- Date Of Death: April 29, 2020
- State: New York
Born in Scarsdale, NY on March 29, 1929, Departed on April 29, 2020, and resided in White Plains, NY. Nicholas Modugno 91, of White Plains, NY passed away Wednesday, April 29 at Newton Memorial Hospital due to COVID-19.
Nick was born in Scarsdale, NY, on March 29, 1929. The son of Consiliga DeBiase and Rocco Di Modugno. Nick aka “Coach D” was a physical education teacher with the Valhalla School District. He began his career at the elementary school on Columbus Ave followed by a move to the high school where he taught for nearly 50 years! He graduated from Manhattan College with a degree in Physical Education -followed by a Masters Degree in Education. His first interest was in a degree in English. He was an excellent writer, but his love of sports won out.
Our father was an excellent athlete excelling in all sports except swimming; he favored tennis, golf, basketball, track and field, and of course baseball. He was honored when the Valhalla School District named the new Track & Field track after him. He was the head coach for track and field for many years, bringing championships to the Valhalla team. He enjoyed teaching, and coaching tennis, and gymnastics- dedicating his life to Valhalla School District and his students. As the years went by after he retired, he so enjoyed hearing from his former students and meeting their families
Coach D enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and former students. He loved his grandchildren Christina and Christopher. And loved attending their various sports events which included football and field hockey. His grandson is following in his footsteps. He is an excellent football player and wrestler. Nick loved music and taught himself to play the guitar and piano. A little-known fact, he would often break out in song or whistle. His favorites were Volare and the Big Band sounds. He attended St. John’s Church. He was a man of great faith and his life revolved around the Catholic Church. He loved his religion.
Nicholas Modugno is survived by his two children: Diana Modugno and James Modugno, Jim’s wife Lynne, his two grandchildren Christina and Christopher, his former wife Dorothy Bennett, his sister Lucy Mercer and her three children Connie, David, and Janet, and his sister-in-law Lorraine Di Modugno.
