HACKENSACK — Gordon "Scooter" Whiting died on May 15, shortly after retiring as athletic director of Hackensack High School. In his memory, his family has established the Gordon "Scooter" Whiting scholarship fund to support Hackensack athletes, with donations now open to the public.

Whiting was a star football player at Hackensack High School and later coached both football and basketball in the district. He mentored generations of Hackensack Comets athletes and, while serving as athletic director, volunteered to coach the flag football team without pay so he could coach his daughter Camille. The fund will award scholarships annually to one male and one female Hackensack athlete, supported by a planned yearly fundraising event in his honor.

His wife, Joy Whiting, said the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming. "Once a Comet, always a Comet," she said on May 25. She added that her husband believed in paying it forward and that the scholarship fund would allow his light to shine.

Joy Whiting described her husband’s deep connection to Hackensack, saying he loved the town for its small-town community feel and the absence of a color barrier. "He appreciated being from Hackensack because that meant you had so much pride in where you were from and helping people, that’s what made carrying the H so strong. He loved this place. He touched so many people. I believe that my husband is my family’s angel and he will guide us and his legacy and light will continue to shine," she said.