Don Guide, one of the pioneers of New Jersey volleyball, died due to an undisclosed reason.
Guide is a two-time Star-Ledger Coach of the Year, recognized as the 1999 Girls Coach of the Year and the 2007 Boys Coach of the Year.
Highlights
- Don Guide passed away on February 12, 2025, at 93, for an undisclosed reason.
- Guide served as a coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University for three seasons.
- He was married to Helen, with whom he had four children. His daughter Lisa co-founded the Women Effect Find and Women Effect Action Fund in 2015.
The Paladins won three state championships in five seasons with the Paramus Catholic girls’ volleyball squad, registering a 115-17 record.
Paramus Catholic was also the No. 1 team in the Star-Ledger Top 20 in four seasons under Guide.
With Don Guide as coach, the team became the first New Jersey national ranked No. 43 in the VBall.com Top 50.
He also coached at Fairleigh Dickinson University for three seasons, among other brief stints at N.J. colleges.
Don turned St. Peter’s Prep into a boy’s volleyball powerhouse for a decade and a half, from the late 1990s to mid-2010s. He tallied a 345-83 record in his time building the program.
He also coached at Immaculate Heart under Maria Nolan, who retired two years ago.
Guide was inducted into the NJSIAA Volleyball Hall of Fame and was given the Volleyball Award in 2010.
N.J. Volleyball Coaching Legend Don Guide Passed Away At 93
Sadly, Don Guide, a two-time Star-Ledger Coach of the Year, died on February 12, 2025, at 93. However, the exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
Former founder and director of Maximum Volleyball Performance Club, Michael DeCastro, poured a small tribute to Don through his official Facebook handle by stating,
Rest in (volleyball) heaven, Coach Don Guide. From being my first club volleyball coach to your assistant coach and helping us out at IHA, I’ve learned so much from you. You and Helen were always so kind and generous to me, may you both be finally reunited. You’ve touched and influenced so many lives who will eternally be grateful. #foreveraLEGEND
Michael DeCastro
Don’s student, Daniel Crespo, also sent his heartfelt condolences to Don and remembered the time spent playing under his guidance. He wrote,
I learned that my first Club Coach, Don Guide, passed away yesterday. Growing up, the sport of volleyball brought me a sense of purpose. I’m very fortunate to be still involved, especially as a coach. Thank you, Coach Don, for the opportunity.
Daniel Crespo
The teacher at Good Healing Energy, Carol Riccardi Daniele, also remembered her mentor, Don Guide, and paid a small tribute. She wrote,
My mentor and teacher, the legendary volleyball Coach Don Guide, has died.
Carol Riccardi Daniele
Many relatives and friends have sent their heartfelt condolences to Don’s family to stay strong in this challenging time.
Rest in Peace, the legend Don Guide.
Wife Helen Is Mourning The Death Of Her Husband Don Guide
Volleyball coach Don Guide was married to Helen Guide, who has stayed away from social media. Their exact date of marriage has not been mentioned yet.
Sadly, their married life ended following the tragic death of Don Guide.
Don and Helen were blessed with four children: Christopher, Kenneth, Lisa, and the fourth child’s identity has not been revealed.
His daughter, Lisa Guide, is the associate director at the Rockefeller Family Fund, a position she has held since 2002, where she oversees the Economic Justice for Women program.
In 2015, she co-founded the Women Effect Find and Women Effect Action Fund, collaborative donor projects dedicated to supporting gender economic equality.
During President Clinton’s administration, Lisa was in federal service for eight years, holding various positions at the Interior Department and the White House.
Don’s son Christopher is an ex-military Policeman and Army Drill Sergeant. He was married to Christine Alnemy-Guide, who works at Stop & Shop.
After several years of marriage, they were blessed with a daughter named Isabel Regina.
Don’s second son, Kenneth, has avoided social media, so little is known about his personal life.
As per the source, Don had five talented granddaughters and one grandson. They are mourning the loss of their supportive and devoted father, Don Guide.
Additional Information
- Guide earned around $60,000 annually as a Paramus Catholic High School coach.
- Don discovered volleyball while serving in the Air Force during the Korean War.
- Lisa Guide served two years at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and spent eight years working in politics and government in New Jersey.
