Beloved Mahwah Coach And High School Sports Program Founder Dies

MAHWAH, NJ — A beloved Mahwah youth sports coach and team founder passed away on Tuesday at 71.

Lawyer Donald Minassian was born in Ridgewood, grew up in Saddle Brook, and lived with his wife and kids in Mahwah for 37 years, according to his obituary.

While in Mahwah, he founded the Mahwah Ice Hockey Association, brought the sport to Mahwah High School, and remained on the association board. He also coached ice hockey, roller hockey, and baseball in town.

He also served as a comissioner on Mahwah’s Access for All program for special needs kids, noted Councilwoman Michelle Crowe Paz in a Facebook post.

"Don was a founding member of the Access For All-Mahwah commission and selflessly shared his time, expertise, love, and passion with our committee, motivating us all to create a profound impact," she wrote. "Don's legacy will continue to inspire us, and we ask that you keep the Minassian family in your thoughts and prayers, celebrating a life well-lived."

Services were scheduled for over the weekend. Mourners were asked to give to a Bergen County-based charity, Hope for Children’s Research Foundation, via the foundation website at www.hopeforchildrenresearch.org, or mailed to: 700D Lake St., Ramsey. See the obituary here.