My first boss at Ft. Monmouth who taught me the ropes. Became a dear friend and I can still hear him yelling at me, "Pappas, get over here!' Loved this man, a true treasure and lovely family. God bless Tony D.

Mark Pappas

Mr. D and family---I just wanted you to know how much you have meant to me and my family as well as 100's of kids throughout the East Brunswick area that were lucky to have you as a coach and mentor. You taught us all how to compete, win, play with pride and most importantly, have fun doing so. Importantly, you coached with your own unique style, were beholden to no one and always had our very best interests at heart. You taught me to believe in myself and you made sure that I knew that you believed in me---for that I will be forever grateful.

When I look back and think about those that have helped shape my life, you are at the very top of the list. I just wanted you to know that and can only hope that someday I can live up to the very high standards that you have set.

May God Bless you and your family and the wonderful legacy you have left behind.

Until we meet again---this "tin" is for you!
Cheers!
JC

Kim and I are deeply saddened by the news of your loss.

Mr. D was truly a unique individual. I have many fond memories of Mr. D from when I was a child attempting to play basketball on the teams he coached. Mr. D took great joy in telling stories about those days and teams and he seemed to remember every small detail.

Every time I talked to him, he always reminded me about the time I chose to go with him to a big game for my older brother’s team because if they won, Mrs. D was making pizza. Even though the team they were playing never lost, I was confident they would win because of the pizza and I surely couldn’t miss that. They won...and I enjoyed pizza that night.

There was another time when we drove all over the state to play in different basketball tournaments on the same day. Different players went in different directions to cover all of the games. I don’t believe I played much that day (I was the youngest and wasn’t very good). When he dropped me off at home at the end of the day and a lot of driving, I said, “Thanks for the ride Mr. D.” He thought that was the funniest thing and often reminded me of that day.

I am sure that all of his players remember how he would draw up plays in chalk and write directly on the gym floor (and then try to erase it with his foot when the time out was over).

In recent years, Mr. D seemed to light up when I would call him. He made me feel like the most important person in the world on those calls and then he would go into stories from 40 years ago that I could barely remember.

I will miss Mr. D. He was a great person. May he rest in peace.

Tim and Kim King