John Joseph Goligoski

HAMILTON - John Joseph Goligoski, 67, a veteran and retired educator from Hamilton passed away peacefully in his home Friday afternoon, June 4, 2010 after a lengthy illness.
- - John was born on April 26, 1943, in Livingston, MT, second son of Joseph Aloysis and Mary Lou (Burns Fleming) Goligoski.
- As a youth growing up in Livingston next to the Yellowstone River and surrounded by beautiful mountains, he spent a great deal of his growing years hunting and fishing. John also participated in various sports throughout his childhood.
- He attended St. Mary's Catholic School during his elementary years. The family moved to Williston, ND where he attended St. Joseph's for a year before they returned to Livingston. John was a Park County Ranger through his sophomore year, before the family moved to Butte. John was a 1961 graduate of Butte High (he was an honorary alumni of Park County High).
After graduation he decided to join the Air Force, as he was restless and unsure of his own future. During his four and one-half years "hitch" (1961-66) he quenched most of his restlessness through his service travels, which included two years of service in Italy. While in Italy he played on the Air Force basketball and soccer teams enabling him to see most of Europe.
Returning to the States he spent time with his parents in Billings and was reintroduced to the daughter of one of their old friends from Livingston. The two began dating and he married Karen Ann Carlisle on February 24,1968. While in Billings he attended Eastern Montana College and worked on the Bear Tooth Highway Crew. He also played forward for Eastern's soccer team of which he was captain for three years.
John finished his Bachelors Degree in Special Education with an Art Minor and he graduated in 1971. He immediately was hired at Hamilton as a Special Education teacher, where he continued working for the Hamilton School District until his retirement. After obtaining his Master of Education Degree from the University of Montana in 1977, he was then given the position of Director of Special Services. In 1988, the role of Vice Principal and Athletic Director for the High School was added to his duties. He retired in June 1991. He was so efficient at his job that upon his retirement the District had to hire two people to cover his duties.
During retirement, John kept busy with odd jobs; he assembled irrigation systems, did building maintenance, and delivered mail for the Post Office. An enjoyable time of day was going to coffee with his friends. He also liked playing dice and card games with his family and friends. John was fun loving; he liked telling stories and pulling pranks. He was usually the "Life of the Party."
John started traveling at an early age and continued to enjoy traveling for sporting events, national school conferences, and recreational traveling with friends and family.
John was very active; he enjoyed softball/baseball, bowling, golf, racquetball, water skiing, fishing and hunting. Through his love of athletics and kids, he became an active volunteer. Not only did he coach wrestling, soccer, football, basketball, and baseball teams, but he also was on many of the committee athletic boards and he maintained the baseball fields long after his kids were grown.
His kids recall John tinkering with things, thus "Dad could fix anything." His hobbies included restoring old cars, repairing antiques, and collecting stamps, coins, cigar boxes, matchbooks, and beer cans. Oh yes, you read that right; his children recall visiting several of Montana's finest antique stores and junk yards.
John's pride and joy were his three kids and eventually his seven grandkids. He was a supportive, active, and wise father. John was seen at all the plays, concerts, and games his kids partook in. Neighborhood children and nephews recall John as the "fun" dad who played with the kids, whiffle-ball, hide-n-go-seek, rough housing, you name it. He gave advice and supported the decisions that were made. He passed his love of the outdoors, history, sports and Montana on to the next generations.
His father, Joseph Goligoski, and his older brother James Goligoski preceded John in death.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Karen; mother, Mary Lou Goligoski, Hamilton; children: Kris (Bob) Paro, Hot Springs; Jason (Kari) Goligoski, Hamilton; Wendy (Tom) Reynolds, Shelby; grandchildren: Brittany Park, Trevor Paro, Taylor, Hunter, and Tanner Goligoski, T.J. and Rhett Reynolds; brothers: Tom Goligoski, Mountain View, CA; Paul Goligoski, Billings; uncles; cousins; several nephews and nieces.
The family suggests that memorials may be made in John's name to the Bitterroot Rockies Baseball Club, C/O Ravalli County Bank, P.O. Box 150, Hamilton, MT 59480 for the purpose of building a new field in John's memory.