Requiescat in pace, Coach

My soccer coach from my junior college days passed on last Thursday. As I lack the words to do him justice, I will say merely the old cliché words that he was a great man and he will surely be missed. Seriously though, he was a great guy and I'm sorry to see him go.

George "Coach" Rosales

George "Coach" Rosales, 62, of Camarillo died on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, at UCLA Medical Center after battling complications of leukemia. George, better known as Coach Rosales to all who knew him, was born March 30, 1943, in Maywood, Calif., to Enrique and Bertha Rosales. He grew up in Maywood and graduated from Pius X High School in Downey, Calif.

George continued his education at California State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in education and earned his master's degree in school administration. George began his teaching career at Luther Burbank Junior High School in Burbank, Calif. George continue his career at John Burroughs High School, where he was also the football coach. In the 1980s, he served as football coach at Glendale Community College, Rio Hondo Community College and St. Francis High School. In 1989, George was named coach of the year and was selected as the Daily News All-Star Coach in 1982. In 1991, he became the head football coach at Ventura Community College and was also instructor of physical education.

George retired from his teaching career in May 2005, but continued to coach football for L.A. Valley Community College in 2004 and 2005. George was inducted into the John Burroughs High School Hall of Fame in 2005. George was an active member of St. Bede's Catholic Church in La Canada and Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo. He loved to spend time with his family and visiting with friends and was looking forward to many years of travel during retirement. The coach touched many lives on and off the field and will be dearly missed.