Community members, including those affiliated with Pitman High School and its football program, are remembering the life of a beloved coach.

Dennis Elisaia, an assistant for the Pitman High football program for the past decade, passed away on Dec. 22, after battling Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) since 2016. He was 51.

Tributes poured in for Elisaia on social media in the days following the announcement of his death, and on Sunday at his funeral service in Turlock.

Elisaia is survived by his wife, Lei, and their five children: Marie, Luisa, Lelauti, Tusi and Lei Cali. A GoFundMe has been organized for the family, and has raised $9,870 as of Tuesday afternoon. Donations are continuing to be accepted at www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-dennis-elisaia. 

The GoFundMe reads: “We lost a hard working husband, a loving father, an amazing brother, an encouraging uncle, a courageous mentor/coach, and most of all an unashamed Man of God.”

Pitman varsity head football coach Braden Plaa attended Sunday’s standing room-only service, which he said was a testament “to the man Dennis was to so many people he encountered.” 

“Dennis was a huge part of our program,” Plaa said. “He started coaching back at Pitman in 2016, and ever since has been a pillar to our coaching staff. Dennis was a dedicated and hard worker to our program and to our kids.”

The Pride will honor Elisaia next football season by sporting decals of his initials, DE, on the back of their helmets.