Former Seaholm Coach, Teacher Keith Bernacki Dies After Cancer Battle

Former  English teacher and tennis coach Keith Bernacki, 33, of Madison Heights, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

Bernacki, who worked for Seaholm from 2002-09, is survived by his wife Katie and their year-old son Will, as well as his parents and several members of his extended family.

Already, friends and former students have created two Facebook groups in his memory: "R.I.P. Bernacki, we will miss you" and "R.I.P. Keith Bernacki." Numerous messages line the walls, some addressed only to Coach.

"For most of us, your official title was tennis coach, but you gave us so much more. You approached every day like it was your last. You taught that the people around us are the most important things in our lives. Of all the groups I have been a part of, I am most proud of Seaholm Tennis," wrote Andrew Green, a 2008 Seaholm graduate who was on Bernacki's tennis team.

His determination not to let his illness define him left an unshakeable impression on colleagues, students and parents.

"My son was totally impressed by Keith Bernacki," said Kristen Getschman of Birmingham. She said her son, Bill, a former Seaholm student who now attends Hope College, has great memories of Bernacki chaperoning a spring break band trip to San Francisco during Bill's freshman year at Seaholm. "Bill told his dad and me that Keith Bernacki was one of the best teachers and men he'd ever met in the school system. Bill's big on character and integrity, and that's what Mr. Bernacki had and why he looked up to him. In fact, Bill told us after that trip ... that it was the time of his life."

Renee Moore, Seaholm environmental science teacher, said that although she didn't know Bernacki well, his struggle against cancer was inspirational. "He was an incredible young man who fought a courageous battle and was an true inspiration to me during the time my husband battled his brain cancer," Moore said.

Catherine Couretas, a 2007 Seaholm graduate, said she had Bernacki for a semester of English. "Every time I log into Facebook, a different person has posted a status about how much they'll miss him. Even students that never interacted with him have been affected because he was that great of a person," Couretas said.

Other Facebook messages include:

• "You have been an amazing coach and friend to many of us, proving to the world what true determination and courage really is. You taught us to be strong both on and off the courts, and to never let anything stand in our way. I know for a fact that many of us would not be the same people we are today had we never had you in our lives."
  - Bradley Charles, Grand Valley State University student and Seaholm graduate
• "To be the leader you were under the circumstances that you were face with proves your ever-lasting courage. Certainly, your life and love has not only secured you the highest throne in heaven, but also a pleace in everyone's hearts."
  - Keith Ian Brown, University of Michigan student and 2009 Seaholm graduate
• "I feel lucky to have known you. You are a great coach but an even better person. I hope your son grows up to be just like you."
  - David Foreman, Michigan State student and former Seaholm student

Visitation is scheduled for 1-8 p.m. today at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Troy. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Church in Detroit, 58 Parsons. Visitation at the church begins at 9:30 a.m.

The family asks that donations be made to the Beaumont Foundation and Pediatric Hmatology Oncology Clinic.

Megan Swoyer contributed to this report.