APRIL 16 • 2020 | 21
just loved him, and he was the
heart and soul of that school.
”
Miller also remembers
Sanders as being respectful of
Hillel’
s Jewish practices.
“He gladly put on a kippah
during services and celebrat-
ed Jewish holidays with staff
and students,
” Miller said.
“No matter what was asked of
Coach Tony, he was willing to
help and offer support. Tony
always had a smile that made
him the light in the halls of
Hillel.
”
Jacob Schlussel, a senior
at Berkley High School, had
Sanders as his basketball
coach for three years and
formed a strong relationship
with him. That continued
even after Schlussel graduated
from Hillel.
“You could tell just the
passion that he had for the
students and for the game
of basketball,
” Schlussel said.
“With some coaches, you don’
t
always sense the love for their
players, but with him, you
could tell how much he loved
to coach and you just got that
sense from him that he truly
cared for you a ton and want-
ed to help you grow — not
only as a player but also as a
person.
”
Farmington Hills resident
and Hillel teacher Marcie
Goldstein remembers Sanders
as a “kind, loving soul whose
infectious smile could bright-
en anyone’
s day.
” Her two sons,
Ben, 18, and Seth, 16, both
had Sanders as a basketball
coach while they were stu-
dents at Hillel.
“Sanders was more than a
basketball coach. He was the
guy who was always outside
at lunch playing basketball
with the kids, he was the guy
you would talk sports with
and he was the guy you would
always high-five when walking
down the hallway,
” Ben said.
“We established relationships
with him before he was even
our basketball coach. He was
a gentle giant, always had
a smile on his face and was
someone you looked forward
to seeing.
”
Like everyone else,
Goldstein knows that Sanders
will be greatly missed
throughout the entire Hillel
community. His presence at
the school inspired not only
his students and players, but
also anyone who walked into
the building.
“His advice and encour-
agement always came from
his heart. His goal was always
to see that the kids worked
hard to be the best they could
be,
” Goldstein said. “He truly
touched the lives of so many
kids.
”
COURTESY OF HILLEL DAY SCHOOL
Coach Tony with a few of the many award-winning athletes he coached.
24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111
michprobate.com
Have a
Happy and Safe
Passover
We are here for you and any
of your legal needs during
the COVID-19 outbreak.
Th
e Probate Law Firm of