Jody Cwik

Jody Cwik, 51, of Kutztown, died October 27, 2006 at 2:35 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where he had been since October 20.

He was the husband of Dianne M. (Sparagana) Cwik.

Jody was born in Flemington, NJ.

He was a graduate of Philipsburg High School in 1973, Kutztown University in 1978, earning a BS in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. Later, he received his Master's Degree in Education also from Kutztown University in 1986. He was an outstanding lineman for both Philipsburg High School and Kutztown University. Jody played on and coached numerous high school all star teams in the Lehigh Valley. In his senior season at Kutztown, he received the Jeff Tackus Memorial Award, for the most courageous football player.

Jody was a teacher and a coach for many years. He first taught at Garden Spot High School and was an assistant coach for the football team. He then became an assistant football coach at Reading High School, while teaching at the BCIU. For 28 years he taught in the Bethlehem Area School District last working in May 2006.

He coached football at Freedom High School from 1980 to 1992, first as an assistant and later as the head coach. During his tenure at Freedom, he coached "The Rock," Dwayne Johnson, who went on to play at the University of Miami and to become a Hollywood star. He continues to hold many school records ar Freedom. Later in his coaching career he was an assistant coach at both Wilson Boro High School, Bethlehem, and at Emmaus High School. He became head coach again at Pottstown High School, where in 2002 they went undefeated during the regular season, outscoring their opponents by a 407 to 3 margin. They were PAC-10 Champions that year.

In addition to his wife he is survived by one daughter, Lauren L. Cwik, at home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 9 a.m. in Holy Rosary R.C.Church, Reading. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Long Funeral Home 500 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave. West Reading PA 19611. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to American Cancer Society 498 Bellevue Ave. Reading, PA 19605 www.kuhnfuneralhome.com