In the Spotlight

Lina Nissley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Max Bilinksi grew up in Jefferson County, in the area of Monticello and he still calls it home today. The Bilinski family has fairly deep roots in Jefferson County, and Bilinski can easily recall his family's history regarding when his grandfather first arrived in the county.

“My grandfather Max Bilinski, who I’m named after, he came over to the United States from Poland in 1895,” said Bilinski.
Bilinski’s Grandfather lived in Wisconsin before moving to Jefferson County with his family – his wife, three sons and daughter in 1912. The family moved to Florida and lived humbly in a small shack before building a house in 1919 that Max Bilinski and his wife, Sharon Miles Bilinski, still maintain and currently reside in.

As a youngster, Bilinski attended Jefferson County High School, following in his father’s footsteps to then attend the University of Florida (UF) on a football scholarship and pursue a degree in agriculture. Bilinski graduated UF in 1965. His agricultural knowledge was a great help when a need arose in Vietnam for agricultural advisors, and Bilinski was contacted on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture in Vietnam. Officers with a degree in agriculture were sought out and eight were found that met the qualifications needed, including Bilinski.

Bilinski served in Vietnam and then returned to Fort Benning, Ga., to finish his two years of active duty, becoming discharged in June of 1967.

“The Lord got me back,” Bilinski said. Bilinski and his wife, Sharon returned to Monticello, where he began teaching at Jefferson County High School. His agricultural knowledge was useful as a teacher as well, as he began teaching Vocational Agriculture at Jefferson County High School, teaching at the same school where he had once attended. Bilinski then found himself coaching baseball for the school, then football.

“I’m teaching Agriculture during my first year here. Well, I’m down at the gym in January of 1968. We’re at a basketball game and they were saying, ‘we don’t have anybody to coach the basketball team this year, we aren’t going to have a baseball team,'” said Bilinski, adding that once he had heard that there would be no baseball for the lack of a coach, he immediately offered to coach the baseball team; he eventually being granted permission from the state to also become an assistant football coach. He remained as a coach for the next 28 years, sharing that he truly enjoyed his time teaching the team. Bilinski also served as the athletic director for a time and taught special education, along with driving the school bus when needed.

“Whatever had to be done, old Max did it,” Bilinski said. After his retirement from the Jefferson County School System in 1995, he then had an occupation at the Jefferson Country Club as Golf Course Superintendent. Bilinski held his occupation with the Country Club for 11 years before fully retiring in 2006.

Bilinski shared how he met his wife, Sharon while they were students at the University of Florida. After having lunch with her and a group of friends, and engaging in conversation with her, Bilinski returned to his place of residence and told his roommate, “Well, I met my wife this afternoon.”
True to his word, Bilinski and Sharon were eventually married on a Friday morning, July 27, 1964. The couple recently celebrated their 56 years of marriage.
In December of 1967, Bilinski's eldest son, Miles was born, named after Sharon’s maiden name. The following November, their daughter Catherine Emily was born. Today, they enjoy several grandchildren.
Max Bilinski became a member of the Kiwanis club in 1974 and he continues to regularly participate in the related club activities.
Bilinski has an interest in history and spoke of his connections throughout the community and the information he has learned about the county from older members of the community that has contributed to his knowledge of the area’s history.
“I’m interested in the history of the county. Thank the Lord I still remember a lot of things that happened. I know different stories from the chief of police, the sheriff, elections, the whole nine yards,” said Bilinski.
Bilinski said he is thankful to the Lord that he and Sharon have remained in good health throughout their lives. Bilinski and Sharon are active members of St. Margaret Catholic Church.