My son, Alfred Daini, as a sophomore, ran varsity in the 70's.  I would drive him, and several of the team members to the meets, so got to know Jack quite well.   We went to Cortland for the NYS Cross Country Championship meet where the team had a great time, but lost badly --blaming their breakfast of pancakes.  Jack was a wonderful coach, who was able to get the best from his "boys" and took genuine pride in their achievements.   He took a personal interest in them and had their love and respect.  May he rest in peace.
Gloria Daini

My cousin Al Daini was on the cross country team with Coach Dammann back in the 70's, so I got to know him well. He was fun, kind & a great coach. Those were some really great weekends we had! My condolences to the family.
Lisa Delgrosso

1975 Queens Champ. Coach Jack Dammann represents all things that is good. He was one of a “kind” person and rest assured that you had a positive impact on so many lives.

My condolences. Coach Jack Dammann was truly an inspirational person. I’d like to share a small story about him. I wasn’t on the track or cross-country team, but my twin sister was. Since we were inseparable, I often tagged along to her practices. One day, I decided to join in on a practice run. I remember being so tired and completely exhausted. I thought to myself, “I’m not even on this team.. why am I doing this? I should just stop now.” I only had one mile left to complete the task, but then Coach Dammann yelled at me. His voice startled me, but he pushed me forward, saying I should never stop, especially in the last mile. He told me to push, push, push—and I did. I was so scared I couldn’t stop, and I finished that mile. I didn’t feel anger toward him at all. Instead, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. That moment has stood with me ever since. After high school, I started running and weightlifting as a hobby. Every time a run feels unbearable, or a rep pushes me to my limits, I think back to that day and his words. Coach Dammann was a great man, and his impact will live on in so many of us. He will forever be in my prayers.

The influence Coach Dammann had on me as a teen simply cannot be expressed in words but I’ll try my best as I always did in HS practice and meets. I was a team member from 2003-2007. I grew up without a father. Mr Dammann was way more than just my Track & Field coach he was like the father I never had. He would constantly come up with new ways to help us improve and always had the answer to any running questions. He was like the Mr Miyagi of Running. A wiseman with such fire and desire to pass on every wealth of knowledge he possessed. In my senior year he nominated me CO Team captain due to my 4yrs of continued loyalty to the team. I didn’t take seasons off for other sports and I would stay for JV practice to help the younger guys. Being on the Track team kept me in line and out of trouble in HS. I never thought I’d be expected by such a great band of misfits of whom to this day I can meet up with and reminisce of the days of old. I remember telling coach of my desire to join the NYPD. He told me to follow my dreams and always work hard and treat others with respect and be humble. It’s funny 11 years on the job and I train and guide the younger guys the exact same way Coach Dammann did during those 4 years of HS. He taught me way more than just running. He helped me become the Man I am today. Coach Dammann was a man of FAMILY FIRST. He would constantly talk about his kids and grandkids. I’m so blessed to have been 1 of his runners and I’m glad he got to enjoy the retirement he so very much deserved. I will forever be grateful for all the things he taught me a the guidance he provided. Coach rest in eternal peace.

He was such a kind man.  I graduated in 1975 and was a big part of boys and girls track.  He had a great sense of humor.  I will miss him.

Coach was truly a one of a kind human being.  The epitome of what a Humble Man truly is.

When they say high school are your best years, it is in fact true. From 2008-2012 I played soccer but after soccer season was done, I ran indoor with coach & how blessed I was to be apart of his running family. Coach was everything you needed him to be. A father figure, a role model, a legend & someone who would always listen. He’d always push you to be 1% better every practice. For those couple of years afterschool, whether you were headed to the weight room and waited for Coach to walk in, or whether you were headed to Newtown Track field, there was no doubt that coach & your teammates was your family. You didn’t just want to run for yourself but for him as he waited for you at the finish line with his stopwatch to clock your time. To Coach, Rest in Peace.

Jack Damann was a special kind of man and coach. I wish I had spent more years with him but meeting him my senior year made my time at high school the best. He always made jokes about me bowling and how I was a natural runner and wished I had joined the team sooner.  I'm happy I got to see him post h.s as I always made my return to go see him when I can. In 2017 was excited to reunite with him and tell him about all my success as a runner. I wanted to give him my first running billboard as a thank you. But now I have gained an angel who can watch over my running success. All my miles will be in his name.

Coach was always a positive influence in Newtowns athletics. I remember him always having a great attitude towards the students and helping them strive for the best. I enjoyed his gym classes and am sorry to hear of his passing. Thanks for helping Newtown athletics become a great inspiration for so many students. RIP Coach…and thank you. 

Russ Matusiak Newtown Class of ‘84 
CPT US Army, RET

Mr Dammann was my track coach in1978 a Classy Gentleman a Coach a real Human Being, humble and and im Glad he was at Newtown when i was there,  Rest in Paradise wonderful soul .

Jets/Patriots game - 12/27/2015 (we won!) 💚🤍

Rangers/Islanders game in December 2016 ❤️🤍💙

I wrote this in memory of Mr. Dammann and for a Newtown track team gathering we are having this Friday in his honor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I heard the news of Mr. Dammann’s passing and I knew I had to write something in his honor
But how do you summarize the life of a great man in a few sentences?
How do you condense years and years of memories in a few words?

Mr. Dammann truly was a great man
The kind of man that they don’t make anymore
I remember meeting Mr. Dammann as a freshman at Newtown
And I thought to myself, what is this kind, old man doing in this rough, New York High School?
But Mr. Dammann wasn’t just a kind, old man, he had a fire in him that burned bright
And attracted everyone towards him
You wanted to hear the wisdom that he had to share
Because he had so much wisdom to share

Mr. Dammann was the kind of man that truly cared about the people around him
Not only did he teach us how to be better runners, but he taught us how to be better men
He taught us kindness, compassion and love for each other

No matter how hard or how tough we thought we were
We always had this sense of togetherness with the team
Because it was the team
It was the NEWTOWN TRACK TEAM
And at the helm was Mr. Dammann
Calm, cool and collected Mr. Dammann

All our years of running, all we wanted to do was make Mr. Dammann happy
We wanted him to be happy with us
And because of the effort we gave because of him
It was all worth it

The fact that we still gather and see each other, all these years later, is testament to that
What we had was special
We truly were a team
And as long as we remember that, and we remember each other
We will never lose that

So this one is for you, my brothers
And for Mr. Dammann
The best DAMN coach we were ever lucky to have
May he rest in eternal peace
Until we meet again

Jack Dammann was a dedicated teacher and professional staple to the Health and Physical Education Department of Newtown High School for many years.  

In college, Jack captained the track and field and cross-country teams for three years and ultimately was elected to the Hunter College Sports Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to both.  

Jack “played it forward” so to speak by bringing his in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for these sports to Newtown High School.  He coached Newtown’s track teams year- round for some fifty years into retirement.  In doing so, Jack was able to mentor and influence the athletes in a positive way and they respected him for it. 

My condolences to Jack’s family.

I worked with Jack at Newtown High school. What an incredible, caring man. Loved the students he taught and coached. I would often run into him during track meets at the Armory  when I coached track, with Jimmy DeSantis at Flushing. He will also be remembered as a loving, devoted Coach. Rest in peace Jack🙏🏽❤️

My condolences to Coach's loved ones. Wow I remember how much he used to pressure me to do track. He wanted to do Shot put. He would always tell me how proud my grandfather would be of me if I joined the team. Sad to say I never did. I practiced a few times and then told him I was "TOO CUTE" for all of that lol. Rest in Paradise Coach. #NHSforever

“Not all heroes wear capes” 
I remember the day this photo was taken. I had a conversation with Coach Dammann about the places I had visited the previous 5 years while being in the Navy. Him and I talked about conversations we used to have when I was a teen, wanting to join the military, and all he would say was “follow your heart “

Coach was the toughest, because he knew when to push us beyond our limits, 

Coach was the best because he knew how to listen when we needed that extra confidence boost that made us champions many times in a row. 

Coach was the best second dad because he listened and told us when we were messing up. He paid attention to each and every one of us. 

Coach Dammann wasn’t just a track coach. He was a mentor a role model and a second father figure to most of us. 

Thank you for pushing me, for speaking to me, for listening and for never giving up on me when I wanted to. Many generations have been inspired my Coach.

I will never forget you Coach. Thank you for helping me become the man I am today. 


Love -    “Davie”

Coach Dammann was instrumental in arranging my track scholarship to Universiry of Texas at El Paso in '73. The following year we won the NCAA championship in track and field.  Thank you for your time, dedication, and the investment you had committed to Newtown High School track team.  Your influence extends beyond track practice, it helped build my confidence, character, and diligence in academics and self discipline. Rest in peace to a wonderful individual.

Coat Jack Dammann my beloved track and field coach at Newtown High School in Queens, New York. Coach Dammann dedicated decades of his life to mentoring young athletes, instilling discipline, determination, and a lifelong love for the sport.

Coach Dammann was not just a coach but a mentor, a role model, and a guiding light for countless students. His tireless efforts went beyond the track, as he pushed his athletes to excel in all areas of life. Coach’s belief in the power of hard work and education helped numerous students achieve their dreams, including myself.

Under Coach Dammann’ s guidance, I earned a college scholarship to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. His encouragement and support transformed my life, setting me on a path that led to a fulfilling career as a teacher and coach in El Paso, Texas, where I strive to honor his  legacy by inspiring the next generation.

Coach Dammann’s impact stretched far beyond the walls of Newtown High School, shaping the futures of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His unwavering passion for coaching, coupled with deep care for his athletes, left an indelible mark on our lives.

Coach Dammann will be deeply missed but never forgotten. His spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those he coached and in every lap run, every hurdle cleared, and every finish line crossed.

Rest in peace, Coach. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for believing in me.

my heart is broken the man with the beautiful hair is gone. He was one of the nicest persons i knew at Newtown. He was a single father for a long time. He took care of his grandkids something we talked about often. He was a mentor to my son william when he was a young coach . this world will never be the same w/o him. i’m so sorry. Heaven  has just received an angel i send my condolences to his family may he  rest in peace. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

It was an honor to have been in part of your team, Queens Champs during 1985, 86, & 87.  Awesome coach, great mentor.  We had a family of 20 members strong and had spent hours together in training every day.  I still run for fun, and went on to law enforcement. This is the only picture that I have of our team during 1985-1987.  Rest in peace Coach.

My Condolences. Coach Dammann was a special soul. I was part of the 1989-1993 track team at Newtown H.S.. His dedication and drive to make people around him better was amazing. Loved him for seeing potential in all of us and never giving up on me. Thank you for keeping us running and pushing us to be our best. 

RIP Coach. 


Caleb Laues

Coach D was an amazing man. I ran track and field, cross country from 1987-1991 and I thank him for pushing me hard every day. I thank him for teaching me discipline,  to work hard but above all never give up. You inspired so many great young individuals. You will be dearly missed Coach, may you rest in peace. Felipe Aguilar, retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 USMC .

Coach Dammann changed and impacted every single one of us in this photo. He coached us, mentored us and changed us from boys to men. 
Rest in Peace Mr. Dammann you have single handily have made an impact on this planet.

Jack was a great colleague, a great coach, a great role model to us younger teachers and an even better friend. Rest in peace my friend. 
Max Martinez.

Coach Dammann was an amazing coach and mentor to so many. I had the pleasure of knowing him during my time as a student and track athlete in the ‘70s.  Rest in peace dear coach 💔😪

Jack was a valued member of the Physical Education Department of Newtown High School.  He contributed to the wellbeing of many of our students.  He coached track for many years, even beyond his retirement.  I last saw him at the Newtown Retirees Luncheon this past fall and he was as engaging as ever.
He will be missed.

OBITUARIO

Jack Phillip Dammann

27 octubre, 1935 – 6 diciembre, 2024

Kennedy-Roth Funeral Home

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