Rockville High School Hall Of Famer Donald Beerworth Dies At 81

VERNON, CT — Donald Beerworth, a standout Rockville High School and state college athlete who went on to teach and coach at Ellington Middle School for more than 35 years, died Thursday.

He was 81.

Beerworth graduated from Rockville High School in 1957, after lettering for four years in three sports. In his senior year, "The Duck" was the top scorer on the soccer and basketball teams, tying a career high of 23 points in his final basketball game, a 68-58 win over Middletown.

He also led the baseball team in hitting that season, earning team MVP honors, and was voted Class Athlete. He was inducted into the Rockville High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.
In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Beerworth was cited as having the most pleasing personality among senior boys, and at graduation, he received the Nettleton Award, which recognized a combination of character and academic excellence.

He enrolled at Willimantic State Teachers' College (now Eastern Connecticut State University), and became the first student-athlete to letter in three varsity sports at the school. In 1958-59, he helped lead the basketball team to its first 15-victory season and the New England State Teachers' College Conference championship. He played three years with the baseball program, helping the squad to a cumulative 24-13 record, and after soccer was added in 1960, he became a co-captain as a senior.

In 2006, Beerworth was presented the Pioneer Award by the Eastern/E-Club Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals for contributions to the formation and/or early growth of the Eastern athletic program.

"His contributions in the early years of several programs were immense and justly recognized," ECSU sports information director Bob Molta said.

Beerworth earned bachelor and Master's degrees from Eastern, and enjoyed a 35-year career as a math teacher at Ellington Middle School. He also coached three sports during his tenure in Ellington, was a past president of the Central Connecticut Soccer Officials Association, and was former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Family Credit Union.

Ellington Superintendent of Schools Scott Nicol told Patch, "As a 1991 Rockville High School graduate and superintendent of the Ellington Public Schools, I was aware of Don Beerworth’s reputation as an outstanding educator and contributing citizen to the Ellington/Rockville area. He was highly respected and will be greatly missed."

In the comments section of Beerworth's obituary on the Carmon Community Funeral Homes website, James Forrest wrote, "I played soccer with him at Willimantic State Teachers College. That was my freshman year and the first year that the school instituted soccer. Don and I and about twelve others were the first team at Willi State. Strange that 60 years have passed, but Don's memory still stays with me. He was a wonderful teammate."

"Don was a wonderful volunteer at Northeast Family Credit Union for 21 years," Joanne Todd wrote. "We all appreciated his leadership, commitment to community, and good-natured work ethic."

Beerworth is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dottie, as well as two daughters, five grandchildren and a brother. Funeral services and burial in Ellington Center Cemetery will be private, and there will be no calling hours.