Coach Joseph Ladisic, our beloved friend, teacher, and coach died in December 1998 after a long battle with colon cancer. He was thirty-seven years old and is survived by his widow, Jeanne. He served as the head baseball coach and assistant football coach here at Wilson High School.
Those who knew Joe Ladisic spoke volumes to both his fight and faith. On January 11, 1999 the Wilson family held a memorial service in our school's audito- rium to honor and remember this wonderful man. Par- ents, co-workers, friends, and administrators told the overflow crowd at the memorial service of his last two years. They spoke of his commitment to his battle and his health. Foremost was the admiration and re- spect everyone felt for Joe. As a former baseball player, catcher Paul Connally said "He earned respect, he didn't demand it." Wilson High School dedicated January 11 as "Joe Ladisic Day" and posters lined the school halls to honor him. Two years ago, the year- book was dedicated to Coach Ladisic.
In his memory, a pair of Coach Ladisic's baseball jer-seys were dedicated and will be hung in our school's hallways. Former Wilson and Norfolk State football coach Darnell Moore established a scholarship in Ladisic's name for football and baseball players.
We celebrate Coach Ladisic's life with this yearbook being dedicated to his memory.
