By Cary Shuman
Legendary youth sports coach Larry Notkin will be remembered at a memorial tribute on Sunday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at Pride of Lynn Cemetery, 89 Lake Shore Road, Lynn.
Jerry Bowen, who was a superstar shortstop for Larry Notkin’s Cubs in the Chelsea Youth Baseball League, said there will be an unveiling of Mr. Notkin’s memorial stone on that day. Bowen has also announced a scholarship fund in Larry Notkin’s honor (see below).
Mr. Notkin passed away on June 27, 2024, at his home in North Myers, Fla.
Larry was known as a superb mentor and teacher of the game during his many years as a coach in the Chelsea Youth Baseball League (also known as the Pony League) and the Chelsea Youth Basketball League, where Larry’s teams were perennial contenders and often champions.
The coaching matchups were always highly competitive and spirited, but in the end, friendly and respectfully, when Larry’s teams (the Red Sox, Cubs, and Royals) squared off against Paul Casino’s Angels, James “Bear” Burke and Paul Goldberg’s Pirates, and Al Palladino’s Twins in the league which drew large crowds to Merritt and Voke Parks on game nights.
When Larry became the head coach of the Nets in the Chelsea Youth Basketball League, the other preeminent coaches in the league, notably Bruce Harrison, Steve Selbovitz, Joe Godin, Dave Drinan, Mark Zamansky, Andrew Quigley Jr., Steve Fried and Ronald Robinson, enjoyed the strategic challenge of playing Larry’s always well-schooled contingents.
“You knew when you played against Larry’s Nets, you had to be prepared for everything,” said Harrison, longtime head coach of the Bucks in the youth basketball league where his assistant was Leo Robinson. “Larry was a great coach and everyone really admired him.”
Coach Larry Notkin Scholarship
The Coach Larry Notkin Memorial Scholarship was established at Chelsea High School in Massachusetts, where Larry graduated in 1959. He was a native son of Chelsea and for 42 years he volunteered to coach baseball in the city for young athletes 13 to 16 years old. The scholarship will be presented to a graduating senior who was a member of the CHS baseball team and has been accepted to a two-or-four-year college.
Donations can be made by sending a check, made payable to Chelsea High School Scholarship Fund, at 299 Everett Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150, Attn: Paula Zandbergs. It is important that you indicate on the check or in a note that the donation is for the Coach Larry Notkin Memorial Scholarship. Your donation is tax deductible, and you will receive acknowledgement from the scholarship committee. Any donation, no matter the amount, is greatly appreciated.
(The scholarship fund announcement was submitted by Jerry Bowen).