Great guy, really only knew him in the last 8 - 10 years mainly through Special Olympics. His wonderful personality will be missed.

After a full year, there are few voices that one can stay still resonate the way Coach Wayne's did -- and still does.  His passion for his athletes -- and his family -- was unparalleled.  He was a true teacher to all us "new" coaches (and old parents) and we will always love him for it.  It's still hard to believe he's not here in body, but everything about Wayne constituted the "force of nature" that we so admired -- and remains with us today.  We are all so blessed to have been among him.  

Been gone a year; miss you, man. Rest In Peace. EdC

 


Can’t believe it’s been one year. It is still sinking in. We lost a great man and a good friend. 
Almost every day I’m realizing what a good friend he was to us. 
Our cycling team misses the driving force of our practice. I could be anywhere on the track, but he was always the center of it all. Somehow, our team did well this year, but it will never be the same.
He was a big guy with a huge heart and he was kind to everyone. Everyone who met him, knew they met someone great. No one ever said ‘I think I know Wayne’. If you met him, you could not forget him. We miss you brother. Rest in Peace.

Ed, Rosanne & Keith Conforti


I remember him cheering his son and all his friends of his son and the good times we had  he will be dearly missed by all his friends and family 

Wayne always seemed so jolly! His voice is forever ingrained in my memory banks.  It was a pleasure to have known him. I thank his wife and son for sharing him!  My deepest condolences.

The joy and love he shared with us will
be forever in our hearts. 

Wayne and his family were a fixture in our family's restaurant, Napoli's Pizzeria and Grill. His smile, infectious laughter and grand personality will forever be remembered by us all. There was no better feeling that getting an "atta boy!" from coach Wayne.  He was a great man, and the love he had for his family and zest for life should be an inspiration for all. We send our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time. Rest In Paradise friend. 

Love always,

Papa Joe, Imma, Andy, Shorty and Joey. 

We are still in shock that you are gone!!!! Wayne you were a wonderful husband to my sister. She loved you very much and a great father to Wayne Albert.  Wayne Albert adored you so much, He  will truly miss you.  The Special Olympics will miss you also. Being a coach helped Wayne Albert and the kids in Special Olympics . You were such a gift to all the kids that you coached.  My girls Wendy and Cheryl loved you. You would always say “who’s your favorite uncle” and they would say “you are.” I know how much you loved them. You are an angel now looking down on your family. You will be missed by so many people, RIP sweet angel 😇 








Here are snaps of my friend Wayne, loved by many SO athletes. Miss you brother.

Karen Schoepfer family. Wayne thank you for being amazing husband to Kathy and amazing father to little Wayne God knew what he was doing when he made you his dad there was nothing you wouldn't have done for him you always thought of others before your self. I will miss you forever. 


I have 4 sisters and 3 brothers in law. They are all great guys but Wayne stood out . I think they would agree. He was always kind and full of fun. He loved my sister Kathy and their son Wayne with all he had. I know he was very involved in the special Olympics and know how much he loved doing that and it’s great to see how much of an impact he made on so many. Wayne didn’t like his picture taken  but he came to RI for a visit in 2015 and stopped by to see my wife who had just been diagnosed with cancer and encouraged her. She died last July 20.  I will share that picture. I remember Wayne would joke with Bev about going to heaven because of being married to a Schoepfer. Thank You Wayne for being a great husband to my sister, Kathy and Father to Wayne Jr. You will be missed.

Thank you for being such a special person to Seth, his family and so many other young people. 

“It should always be about the kids. Everything you do should be to make sure the kids you coach have a positive experience and learn all the great life lessons that sports can teach.” 
Hopefully, these pictures will show everyone how much Coach Wayne loved softball and how much the Athletes and Coaches loved him!
Coach Michael and Coach Nancy are so thankful we were able to share these memories with Coach Wayne.


We here are all in shock and it is still sinking in. We lost a great man and a good friend. We meet people in our life, some that we help, and some that help us. Wayne helped all of us. 
The last few days I’m realizing what a good friend he was to us. Like we met almost 20 years ago when our sons were on the cycling team. We weren’t coaches then. Just parents that would casually chat each Saturday, then we eventually got a bit more involved. He had so much prior experience being a basketball and softball coach, and I was happy to help him. We got along well, and each Saturday during January through May we would be together 2 hours doing our thing. 
Our cycling team will miss the driving force of our practice. His red truck was our platform for all the equipment, tables chairs, walkie-talkies, tools. The athletes know when Wayne called you to get to the starting line, you had better get there and be ready. We will all miss his starting call ‘Keith is ready, set, go!’ 
Wayne has this booming voice, its unmistakable. Anyone that has ever met Wayne knows it. He was a big guy with a huge heart, and he was kind to everyone. I would tell him this often, ‘You can try and sound like a Grizzly bear, but we know you are more like a Teddy Bear’. He never denied it. To be greeted by him, he made you feel special just for that moment. It could be a big bear hug, high-five, fist bump, elbow bump you name it, it felt good, and it was genuine. He was always thumbs up and ‘Living My Dream’. We will miss you brother. Rest in Peace.

Ed, Rosanne & Keith Conforti


Coach Wayne was a wonderful and lovable guy who always do anything and everything. To help people out he was always there to put a smile. On your face I will miss you like crazy you where a wonderful coach and friend 

Hey coach Wayne sarah Braithwaite I remember meeting u for the first time u add great personality great caring heart with all your special olympic family I remember when u find out that I start dating David you always remind David now that is mine sarah . U know the Karp brother much longer then me u hd ask me which one of them who is who I told him how can't tell them part when u know longer he said I can't tell because it is far away can tell from head no they are twin so tell who David always look up coach Wayne so did I but was really father figure to David so this hit really hard feel like lost second father so it hard on him. I remember say something funny made coach Wayne laugh when we visit him in the hospital I usually call him check on him I truly sad but this isn't goodbye I will see u again in heaven in another life now u can meet mine family that has pass on and meet David father we Will see u again love u coach Wayne love sarah david

I met Coach Wayne as a Rookie bowler for Special Olympics. We met at the state fall classic. He heard about me and how dedicated I was to my team and my training. He personally asked me to play for the Dragons. I sadly declined due to transportation problems. That same year Wayne made a deal if the Dragons got gold medals 🏅 he would shave his head. He's been bald since that day. He cared more about others than he did himself. He cheered, loved, and spread happiness everywhere he went. He was an angel on earth that went home. To his family, I offer my deepest condolences. May Wayne rest in peace and send rays of sun to comfort us in our times of trouble.
Thank you Wayne, for all the wonderful love and happiness you gave to us. 

Our hearts and prayers go out to Kathy and Wayne, Jr. and all his family.  “I’m living the dream” will always hold a special meaning to all of us.  Wayne introduced us to ”Palm Beach Wheels” and we couldn’t have been happier with his leadership and constant compassion for any and all of our special Olympian’s. He was truly one of a kind. He will be missed and remembered always.  We are out of town at present but please know you , and your family are never out of our hearts ♥️   Our prayers are with you. 
Best Regards, Mark, Kitty and Brian Reeser

Let me win but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt! Thank you Coach Wayne for many years of coaching Special Olympics and mentoring to our athletes. 

Cathy and Wayne. We are so sorry to hear Wayne has passed away. He was a great man, always happy and made those around him feel his presence! May God bless him with eternal peace. R.I.P. Wayne. 

You are truly “Living the Dream” now Wayne. We were so lucky to have you as Coach and Friend. Your positivity was infectious, ALWAYS smiling🌈 ‘Hey Hannah Banana!’ Is embedded in our brains. I’ve saved your last voice mail from just a week ago…sending BIG love to Kathy and Wayne. We will be here for you both forever. Tim, Cathy and Hannah Zegel xxoo

The void created by the sudden death of someone as beloved as coach Wayne is still hard to grasp. He was someone we took for granted would be around for much longer. His laughs, his yelling, his help … I can still see his smile, thumbs up and hearing his constant reminder that he was “JUST LIVING THE DREAM”. Wayne was keenly aware that special people, when given a chance to work hard together, be good teammates and friends, will forge special bonds FOR LIFE and excel much more than anyone would have ever believed. He adored all the athletes and encouraged this constantly. Wayne was not only a coach to our special needs children and adults but he was a warm, wonderful and loving human being to all he was involved with. Wayne will be missed terribly by all his athletes, the athletes parents and especially the Paci family. Wayne, Colleen and I  are sure you’re now living the ULTIMATE dream, an eternity in heaven. We will miss you dearly, bye for now. Our heartfelt condolences to Kathy and Wayne jr………

I can remember first meeting Wayne. It was October 1986 he came over with a bottle of wine and welcomed us to the neighborhood. Ask Wayne how you doing response great can’t complain living in paradise. He was so caring to all. Especially he took care of doc and Viviana older neighbors. It will be hard driving down the street not to see his smile and wave.  Wayne you will be missed. My deepest condolences to Kathy and little Wayne. 💜 love KIm, Peter, Danielle, Christopher, Shawn and Ryan phillips

Coach Wayne was one of a kind individual. Always with a smile and ready to help in anyway he could. Always encouraging his athletic to their best, but most of all tho enjoy what they did. Joanne and our family will always remember him with love. Our deepest condolences to his family, will remain in our prayers. 

Hi coach Wayne it’s Jessicapichardo one of your favorite athlete I’m going to miss you you was a wonderful person always happy 

Wayne was a happy, bubbly, friendly, loving human being who loved coaching Special Olympics athletes. Although we are newer to Special Olympics than most he always greeted Mike and me with a holler and a stand up big welcoming hug. Our first year here he was Michael‘s basketball coach and made Mike feel like he had been there forever. It’s rare to meet a human being that is so truly kind and caring to the core but that is exactly what Wayne was. I know that all the athletes, parents, and friends will miss him dearly and our love and prayers go out to his family. May he Rest In Peace.

Our son, Justin,  has been coached in Special Olympics Cycling for 15 years by our dear Coach Wayne.   Dubbed “Silky” by Coach Wayne because he said Justin is a smooth cycler, Justin improved over the years thanks to his loving support.  Wayne’s sunny disposition was uplifting to athletes and parents alike and there will always be a hole in the fabric of our Special Olympics’ family.  He will continue to “live the dream”, as he rests in the arms of our loving Lord.
Our love, Silky, Mary Ann and Mike Monahan

Timothy was on Coach Wilson’ s softball team for many years. Coach gave each player a handle. Tim’s was Lips.. Coach brought smiles to our faces. He helped Tim improve and learn how to pitch. He helped him grow as a person. We enjoyed his family as well.
 Our fondest memory is traveling West to National games in Nebraska as an outreach family group from Florida. It was an amazing bonding experience!
Also Coach organized a Globe trotter type team to come as an exhibition and to play basketball with Special athletes. Our Tim had a blast! Thank you Coach Wilson for your love and support. 
Keep the game and fun going in heaven , Coach Wayne!
Sending our love to you and your family from Timothy Lips Whelan and his family.

Who loves you baby? You do ! Those  words to all the children will never be forgotten.. His larger than life personality will always be remembered.  You will be missed.  Rest in peace my friend. 
Kathleen and little Wayne with our deepest sympathy you are in our prayers.  

Ron and Angelina ❤

Wayne, Kathy and "Hollywood" were among the first and warmest families to welcome and embrace our family when we moved to Florida eight years ago.  The generosity of love and spirit meant so much to us -- and is something we'll carry with us forever.  Coach Wayne so loved his athletes, as they and we all loved him.  He was -- and is -- a presence larger than life.  To say we'll miss him is an understatement.  Our love, prayer and thoughts go out to the entire Wilson Family.  Love, Jackie, Joanie and Dave Applebaum.

OBITUARY

Wayne E. Wilson

January 12, 1953 – July 4, 2022

Dorsey - E. Earl Smith Funeral Home and Lake Worth Memory Gardens

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