Roland George Moquin, 73, Brushton

BRUSHTON -- Roland George Moquin, 73, is now running with his beloved dog, Bruzer, as of July 12, 2024.

A long-time resident of Brushton, NY, he had moved to Malone, NY to live with family as he dealt with terminal conditions.

He was born February 19, 1951 in Massena, NY, he was a son of Albert F. and Anna (Szarks) Moquin.

Roland graduated in 1969 from Massena High School, received an associate’s degree from Jefferson Community College in 1971, then a bachelor’s degree from the State University College (SUNY) Potsdam in 1973.

He married Colleen Ann Harris in August 1975, and the couple had two children. The marriage ended in divorce.

Roland was an elementary school teacher at Brushton-Moira Central (BMC) for more than three decades, and he continued as a substitute for years thereafter.

Over the years, he also intermittently served as director of the Brushton-Moira Summer Recreation Program.

A good-natured prankster and born storyteller, Roland also performed as an amateur thespian with local theater companies.

Athletics were a large part of Roland’s life, starting with the freshman grid squad Football team at Massena Central in 1965. While at Potsdam, he participated in Clarkson University’s Cycle Club.

In 1986, as the cross-country coach at BMC, the Program hosted the Section 10 championship for the first time in school history, Realizing state-class program strength under Roland’s tutelage. As founder of the BMC “Biddy Ball” program, he actively sought new ways to improve community programs.

For many years, he worked with legendary Potsdam Bears Coach Jerry Welch at the SUNY Potsdam Basketball Camp, as well as with former NBA player and basketball clinician George Lehman.

Roland coached AAU basketball as well as woman’s junior varsity and varsity Panther basketball at BMC from 1986-2001, including a “great-eight” run at the state championships.

The All-Northern Athletic Conference honored him as Division II “Coach of the Year” in 1989. Many of the teams that Roland coached have been inducted into the BMC “Hall of Fame,” and he himself was recognized with that honor as well.

In retirement, Roland continued coaching a wide variety of sports teams.

Surviving are two daughters, Jessica Moquin (Christian Vischi), Earlville, NY and Gabrielle Scott (Paul), Malone; two sisters Betty Anne Yost, Rochester, NY and Marilyn Choudry, Springfield, ILL.; one brother Raoul, Massena; two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Roland was predeceased by his parents; a brother, A. David Moquin, and a sister-in-law Diane, Massena.

Coach Moquin’s legacy will be celebrated at a charitable athletic event in Brushton being planned for later year.

Contributions to your favorite charity in Roland’s memory are also encouraged.

Services were held privately for the family on July 22, 2024.