Rick "Coach" Smoliak

71, of Tequesta, Florida passed away suddenly on February 25, 2014.

Rick was a talented athlete with a passion for sports. In 1964, he was drafted to play baseball for the New York Mets. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota, where he also played ice hockey. Rick later received his Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He was the Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Stony Brook University on Long Island before taking on the same roles at Northwood University in West Palm Beach. Rick also was an avid tennis player and pro, teaching lessons throughout his whole life.

Rick was a true family man and will be missed by his loving wife of 33 years, Barbara; his children Sheri, Sandy, Scott, A.J. and Brittany; six grandchildren Justin, Dillon, Jessica, Julia, Lucas and Jacob; three sons-in-law Keith, Roger, and Dennis; daughter-in-law Sam; sister-in-law Linda; niece Meredith and her husband Luther, nephew Jason, and niece Mary. He will also be missed by his coaching fraternity, current players, and countless alumni, all of whom meant the world to him.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 28th from 5-8 PM, Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church, 204 US Highway 1, Tequesta. Entombment will be at Fernhill Memorial Gardens in Stuart, Florida.