Another great one has left us, but his legacy lives on.

Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer and longtime track and field coach Bob Burkley died on August 17, 2021 after battling lymphoma for many years. He was 82.

Burkley was inducted to the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. The longtime Newfield and Centereach coach built a dynasty with fellow coach and friend Harry Schneider. They were inducted to the Hall together.

His teams won 28 league championships and 10 county outdoor track titles and he coached five national champions and two national record holders.

Even more impressive is his coaching tree which now includes more than 60 former athletes who went on to coach track and field.

He is survived by his wife Gail, sons Robert and Brandon, daughters Gillian and Robbyn, sister Mariyln and eight grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Church in Bay Shore and a memorial service will be held at Robert Moses Field 5 next year.