Former Coach Remembered as 'Stand Up Guy'

Gary Henzel had an impact on Montville, both as a resident and a basketball coach for one of the township's Recreation Department teams.

Henzel, who passed away in August 2011, was honored by the Montville Township Committee Tuesday for his dedication and service to his community.

"Gary spent his years teaching and mentoring students and fellow educators with many lessons in sports, academics and life," according to a proclamation read by committee members at Tuesday's meeting.

Henzel lived in Montville but taught as a physical education teacher in Union City before retiring in 2007. He coached basketball for several years.

Mary Jo Coan coached alongside Henzel for one year during the 2010-11 season and said he was a pleasure to work with.

“He was the go-to coach that pretty much never had a problem,” she said.

Coan said Henzel's own child was in the basketball program and he continued coaching as his son went on to the different teams.

“He really nurtured and grew with the boys as they progressed," Coan said. “Gary was always a stand up guy.”

Gary Drillings also coached with Henzel and said that while he did not know him well, coaching with him for two years, he saw how much Henzel put into the program.

"He was always dedicated to the children and was very well-liked, both by the athletes and the coaches," he said.

Drillings said Henzel had a different kind of approach and positive attitude and was a good influence on the kids he was coaching.

"A lot of parents, and coaches for that matter, take all kinds of childrens' athletics too seriously, so it was very refreshing that he had the priorities and the proper perspective," he said.

Read the full proclamation in honor of Henzel here.