Len Bertolini Obituary

coach was a lengend to all of us as kids he gave his time and energy and taught us the right way to play basketball and also instill us values as we were so young such a giving man i appreciate he was in my life there only one coach lay in peace coach my prayers len to you and family

I just read Len's obituary online and just feel so sad that such a great person is no longer with us. I feel blessed to have know him as I always found him to be so full of life and a man who was so devoted to his family. I will remember him in my prayers.

Coach Bertolini is going to be missed tremendously. I truly feel blessed to have been able to have been around him for so many years. Not only did he teach me about the importance of hard work and discipline, he molded me into the person I am today. I am eternally grateful for everything I was able to learn from him and words cannot express the amount of respect I had for him, for sacrificing so much of his time for so little pay just so his players could have every opportunity to succeed. Thank u for everything and your legacy will never be forgotten.

Thoughts and prayers are with you Len and family. Tricia Stevenson

To all who knew and loved Len, we lost a genuine legend. Len was passionate about sports and about moving youth in the right direction. He was so decent and supportive especially of kids who had no voices.

He took my son Jeffery Foerster under his wing, and Len's passion led to Jeff's interest in sports and sports medicine. He gave Jeff direction and guidance at a time when Jeff lost first his biological father and then his stepfather.

In the overall game of life, our loss is heaven's gain.

We miss you Len. My deepest sympathies to all who knew him and cheered him on.

Lenny impacted the lives of so many adults and kids. He really was a life coach to the thousands of lives he touched. Thank you, Lenny - the memories of you and our years at St. Ferds will last forever.

A great man and a great coach, friend mentor to all. We all knew our kids would learn good things from Lenny. He really was their coach in life as well as on the floor. Go Bulls.

Very sorry for your loss. Coach Bertollini was by far the best basketball coach I have ever had at any level. The way he would develop us kids and not only win, but win BIG! Didn't matter if we played in a rough part of town we always showed up prepared and won. He showed us how to be winners on and off the court at such a young age. Our 8th grade team and many before and after us could beat most high school freshaman teams. This country needs way more Len Bertollini's. In his words.."St. Ferdinand..Pray for Us!"
Class of 1990!

To Mrs B., Diane and Lenny: Thank you so much for sharing Coach's time with all of us St. Ferdinand kids. There are at least 2,000 of us that are much better people today because of the lessons Coach taught on and off the court.

The ONLY person I've ever called "Coach" my entire life. He was, is and will always be one of the greatest sources of good & decency to ever have graced the lives of those who were lucky enough to have known him. Other than my father he's probably the man I'd most like to be. We'll ALL miss you Coach! Thank you so very much for being the second dad to all of your players and teaching us what it meant to be a man. And thank you, Mrs B, Lenny and Diane for letting him share so much of his time, your time, with us.

Mr Betolini was good man, coach, and friend

I had the pleasure of knowing Len Bertolini for over forty-five years. We coached basketball together at St. Ferdinand's and developed a strong bond between us that was never broken. I was a lucky man for Len coming into my life. He was a second father and an older brother. I was honored when he served as my Best Man at our wedding! I visited him in the hospital and said our final good-byes last week. Many happy memories were shared and I will be eternally grateful for the friendship we had these many years. Heaven has a new coach who will be truly missed by his many family and friends. God bless Len Bertolini! Kevin McCann

There are no words that can be of comfort right now, but Please know that the grief you feel is shared by all those who knew Len. He was a genuinely friendly good guy and he will be truly missed by all who knew him

I am saddened to hear of Len's passing from my daughter, who was his neighbor. As such, I had the pleasure of talking with Len, a few times, in recent years. He was so proud of his children, Len and Diane, and of course, Donna, when I would ask about my former students.

No matter what you were doing, or why you were there, there was always something about being in the school gym that conveyed Len, in the back of your mind. As a tribute to Len, the people who knew him will never be able to enter the St. Ferdinand's Gymnasium, without feeling his presence.

My prayers are with his entire family, during this difficult time.

Today I learned of the passing of a great man. Len was not only my neighbor, but a mentor. He touched and enriched the lives of so many. RIP Len, you will truly be missed.

Consolences, Len was a great friend, coach and painter.

Thanks for everything Grandpa. You have touched many lives during your time and always came off as happy even if you were down. You taught me many things and always believed in me. I will always remember the great times we had. I love you!

So sorry to hear about Coach Bertolini. Great coach! Great guy! Many good memories shared with Len at St. Ferd's!! Thoughts and prayers with his family.