Robinson's 'Coach G' Passes Away

Beloved husband, father, and coach Barry Gorodnick passed away Saturday after a two-year-long struggle with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

He leaves behind his wife, Jen Gorodnick and three children Kaitlyn, 11, Taylor, 10 and Ryan, 7.

Gorodnick’s family and friends had set up a fundraising page to help pay for treatments. On Sunday, the page was updated to inform supporters of his passing.

“Thanks everyone for your support throughout Barry's illness. Jen and the kids really need us now more than ever. We will continue this fundraiser to honor him and help the Gorodnicks,” read a comment from Cathy Velis, who helped start the fundraising efforts.

As of Tuesday, supporters had raised $55,000 for the family.

Robinson Supports

Gorodnick, 47, worked at Robinson Secondary School since 1988 as a softball coach, football coach and technology specialist. He graduated from the school himself, and current students knew him as “Coach G." , he spoke about his time as coach.

“I loved being at Robinson and getting up and doing my job every day,” Barry Gorodnick said. “Coaching was a big part of my life.”

He had to take some time off work while undergoing treatments, but the softball team did not forget him. The , where team members all wore T-shirts and raised $800 from concessions and donations.

Living with Cancer

The Gorodnick family first heard of the diagnosis in December 2010, three days before Christmas.

His wife, Jen, took care of him, sleeping in an inflatable bed by his recliner in the living room since pain prevented her husband from sleeping horizontally. She still wanted to be close to him to help throughout the night.

“People offer to help, but I knew when I got married that this could be something I would do. We said ‘in sickness and in health.’ And that no one would take care of him like I do,” Jen Gorodnick told Patch in March.

Memorial Service

A service for Gorodnick will be held at Robinson Secondary School on Thursday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m.

If you would like to help the family, visit a fundraising page at http://www.gofundme.com/barryg.

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