Thomas F. Donlay, Jr., "Coach Tom" 71, of Sun City Center, passed away on September 18, 2016. Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach and a beloved member of the Tampa Bay bowling community. Prior to retirement, Tom was a master electrician and foreman as a member of IBEW Local 164 in New Jersey. In 2003, he and his wife Dorothy moved to Florida to live closer to their daughters and grandchildren and to pursue his love of bowling full-time. He was a PBA bowler with fourteen 300 games and two 800 series. His excellence in bowling and coaching was recognized by the Tampa Bay Men's Bowling League as "Bowler of the Year" for 2008-2009. In September 2016, he was inducted in the Florida USBC Youth, Inc. Hall of Fame.

While in Florida, Tom discovered his gift for coaching and became a member of United States Bowling Congress and a Silver Certified bowling coach. Tom was a passionate advocate for youth bowling and volunteered his time and talents promoting youth bowling in the Tampa Bay area, including volunteer coaching for LLT Academy, Riverview High, Armwood High, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate School bowling teams. In addition, he participated in the Great American Teach-In at Belcher Elementary in Clearwater and Simmons Career Center of Plant City and was a special guest instructor at St. Paul United Methodist Church of Largo summer camp. His reputation as a bowling instructor in the Tampa Bay area led bowlers to the centers Tom served and to be on the teams he coached. At Brandon Crossroads Bowl, he created and co-led the Junior Gold Championships. In addition, he started The Brandon Crossroads Bowl Tampa Youth Travel League. His wisdom about the sport was a significant asset to the success of these programs as a coach and adviser. The BCB Tampa Youth Travel league quickly grew from one team to four teams. His greatest reward was seeing students receive college scholarships and invitations to play on the collegiate level bowling teams at schools such as Florida State University and Wichita State University. Coach Tom had been an instrumental and positive force in the lives of many young bowlers, coaching at all levels, from elementary age through collegiate team players and even extending his teaching to those young at heart and special needs bowlers. He taught students of all ages and abilities how to stay focused, offered encouragement to those in need, and remained a humble leader who modeled respect, honesty, and strength.

Tom was also a dedicated family man and friend to many. He enjoyed social gatherings and shared meals. There are countless memories of family vacations, road trips, holiday celebrations, NASCAR races, playing dominos and cards, eating ice cream, sharing a coffee, dancing, and so much more. His smile and the memories will forever live in the hearts of so many family and friends who loved him dearly. Tom Donlay was a great man who will be dearly missed!

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Thomas F. Donlay, Sr.; and brothers, Roger Donlay and Jeffrey Donlay. He is survived by his loving family, wife, Dorothy Donlay; daughters, Sherri Ann (Kyle) Plate and Colleen (Brian) Antoinette; mother, Alma Donlay; brother, Mark (Jan) Donlay; sisters, Janice (Mike) Forostiak and Lynn (Richard) Winship; four grandchildren (Casey Plate, Erin Steele, Kathleen Plate, and Ava Antoinette); and two great-grandchildren (Amelia and Madeline Plate).

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews UMC in Brandon on October 8, 2016 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Tom Donlay Memorial Fund. This fund will provide bowling scholarships, youth tournaments and coaching certifications to continue Tom's passion for youth bowling. Cash or checks, made payable to "Tom Donlay Memorial Fund," can be deposited directly at any Fifth Third Bank location, or checks can be mailed to:

Tom Donlay Memorial Fund
6308 Bridgevista Drive
Lithia, FL 33547