Jack Leslie Coons

Jack Leslie Coons passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 6th, 2026 at the age of 80. Jack was born to the late William A. Coons and Ruth Quay Coons in Schenectady, New York. He graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1963 and painted with his brother, Bob, until joining the United States Marines. Following his honorable discharge, he worked as a bucket assembler (machinist) for General Electric, until retirement.

Throughout his life, Jack was a softball enthusiast and had a successful career as a pitcher and a coach. One of his most satisfying accomplishments was becoming one of the best fastpitch softball pitchers in the area. He played at Country Inn and Sportsman’s Park, where he pitched against the California Cuties, and he faced Eddie Feigner of The King and His Court. He pitched for local fastpitch softball teams including Billy’s Hotel, Stella’s News Room, and Sonny’s Tavern, throughout Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Amsterdam. Jack participated in numerous youth softball pitching clinics across the capital region including Miss Shen, UAlbany, and Rotterdam.

His greatest achievement and joy was being a volunteer Assistant Pitching Coach at UAlbany for 43 years from 1982 to 2026. He was always happy to help with any aspect of the game. He was an encouraging coach who was popular and well respected. Players always wanted to hear his famous story of the Brass Ring.

Jack enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and always had a funny or interesting story to tell. He was found listening to music, gardening, and painting. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed vacationing at the ocean and taking rides in his car.

Jack and his loving wife, Barbara Fogg, enjoyed 58 years together, while raising their children and grandchildren. Jack is survived by his wife, Barbara, daughter Jennifer, son Brian and daughter-in-law, Sarah, grandchildren, Leo and Maya, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his siblings, William, June, Robert, Dorothy, Richard, Donald, and Virginia.

Calling Hours will be held on Friday, June 12th, 2026, from 5 – 8 PM, at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Avenue, Rotterdam, NY.

A Funeral Service for Jack will be held on Saturday, June 13th, at 11 AM, at the funeral home.

Interment will immediately follow at 12:30 PM, in Schenectady Memorial Park.

Memorial donations in Jack’s name would be deeply appreciated and made to Stand Up To Cancer, P.O. Box 843721, Los Angeles, CA 90084-3721, https://standuptocancer.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/