CHUCK IARUSSI JR. MEMORIAL FUND
Donation protected
Obituary attached here
A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER...
On January 22, 2017, my father, Charles J. Iarussi jr. passed away while napping in his bed on that Sunday afternoon. Most of you knew him as Chuck. My dad was a fun, vivacious, friendly, charming and charismatic man with a great smile. I remember when I was a young boy I’d say there is nobody cooler than my dad, except maybe Michael Jordan (someone who him and i loved watching play together). He was my role model, my mentor, my coach and one of my best friends. I was his first born. During my mom's pregnancy at one of her ultrasounds, they told her she was having a girl. When my mom picked up my father from work that day and told him the news, he punched the dashboard. He wanted a boy, well... boy, did he get his wish. On January 24th, 1987, 9lbs. 7oz., I was born. Charles J. Iarussi 3rd.
My dad was a heck of a basketball player. He played college ball at Slippery Rock before he went to serve our country in the Navy. Basketball was his whole world, until he became a father. He put the ball in my hands when I was a baby, he was just a baby himself. He was 21 years old, a few weeks before his 22nd birthday. We are both Aquarius, we have the same name, I look just like him and we are similar in so many ways. Mainly because I tried to emulate my father. The way he walked, the way he talked (with his Pittsburgh accent) and MOST of all the way he shot a basketball. My dad was more than a player of the game, he was a legend. He would tell me stories of how he had a boombox in his garage growing up, and he would shoot, shoot and shoot in the driveway while listening to music for hours on end. He perfected his shot and whenever he got the opportunity to show people his skill, they were in awe. He coached me my whole life. When my brother Jordan was born in 1992, I got to see my dad as happy as he was when he had me. He was thrilled. We both were. Another Iarussi boy, another ball player. I lived to be an older brother and he a father. Together we helped teach my younger brother (and siblings) the game which he blossomed so amazingly at. In 1999, came my youngest brother Tyler. He was beautiful healthy baby boy with big blue eyes. In 2001 my dad was given the gift of a daughter, my adorable sweet baby sister Alexis. His heart was filled with joy. Four beautiful healthy children. He often joked if we had one more (5) we’d have a basketball team. TEAM IARUSSI.
My dad wanted us to grow up with his family in Pittsburgh, PA but my mother was from Rumson, NJ. Once my dad got to know the area well, he agree’d that Rumson was truly a great place to raise a family. Even though it was much more expensive than Pittsburgh, he would make it work because he loved his family. He immediately starting playing basketball in Monmouth county and met connections through basketball. Quickly, he met a great friend and teammate in Dave Blumel. They played in countless men’s leagues together and won dozens of 3 on 3 tourneys. Dave asked Chuck to be his first son Matt’s godfather. Chuck asked Dave to be Jordan’s. Together they played ball, raised families and coached each other's kids. Dave filled his brother/best friend void in New Jersey. Which was great because my dad missed his younger brother Tony, his best friend to the day he died, back home dearly.
One day, another one of the basketball connections he had met offered him to coach a team. Jerry Dooley, asked my dad to coach the Rumson Mid-Monmouth Sr. boys team. He took him up on the offer and ended up coaching for 20 years with many winning seasons including one undefeated season 1996-97.
He had the privilege of coaching a lot of great players, athletes, young men and women. He loved every kid he coached and that was the greatest part of his coaching. He spent the same amount of attention on the star player as he did the last kid on the bench. I can’t possibly name all the teams he coached or all of the players so I will try and name some notable ones. Rumson Sr. boys Mid-Monmouth (Jay Dooley, Andy Toole, Rob Petiti, Kevin Van Dam, Mike Davis, Corey Bringham, Greg Bartz, Tim Gill, Kristian Kjesbu, Andy Maynes, Sean Zebora, Billy Geltziler, Jason Miller, Alex Lamagdelane, Mike Rafi, Mike Roberto, Phil Conover, John Planer, Matt Blumel, Luke Glass, the Bauer, Callinan, Gaynor, Fox and Wong brothers to name a few). My dad was a huge influence in the B.Y.A.A. program. Originally he coached the older age groups (Ty Glass, Chris Niez), when I was playing biddy ball. Then he was asked to help with my B.Y.A.A team. We won back to back National Championships in ‘96 & ‘97 (Banners are still in Croydon Hall) when we were 8 & 9 years old (Dan Werner, Scott Anacker, Brian Friberger). He was also the head coach of my brother Jordan’s B.Y.A.A. team (Roy Maybrey, Sean Grennan, Steve Renard, RJ Hobbie). My dad also started and coached the Jersey Storm AAU team which placed in the top 3 in the NJ AAU state tourney three years in a row. The Jersey Storm also produced a number of college players and professional players (Keyron Sheard, Qa’raan Calhoun, Reggie Hendrex, Bryan Taylor, Kyle Brandon, Kevin Sidoti, Tony Perez, Conley Brightbill, Kenny Bernard). The Jersey Shore Hurricanes (Taylor Snyder, Jordan Lawrence, Tony Russo) and he also helped Bob Sidoti with his AAU team he coached (Chris Cullen, Feron Mcgee, Brian Wong). He was a shooting instructor and personal basketball trainer for a lot of players (Kyle Olesko, Jamie Macgale, Justin Clark, Mike Rafi,Fox and Bauer bro's). My dad coached dozens of rec basketball leagues and little league baseball teams. Every time he was in a gym or at a field, even if he wasn’t the coach they asked him to help out. He also started and ran the RFH Hoops Basketball Camp for many years. After coaching he made a smooth transition into refereeing. The same way he impressed people with his shooting form, his ability to coach and teach children, he wowed people with his refereeing. He knew the game so well, and continued to teach/coach as he reffed. He had thick skin and knew that his knowledge of the game was greater than anyone Joe Schmoe yelling at him in the stands.
The best job my father had growing up was working for sports agent Keith Glass. They met of course, through basketball and Mr. Glass asked my dad to work for him. This was a wonderful opportunity for my father and he got to meet so many great basketball people. He was in his element to the utmost degree. He got to hang out and meet some amazing people, including Michael Jordan who was/is my favorite player. He also took me and my brother Jordan to a NETS VS 76ERS game, where we got to meet Allen Iverson. Who was/is my brother Jordan’s favorite player. He formed many close friendships through working with Keith but none closer than my father’s dear friend Lloyd Daniels.
My parents got separated around 2007-2008 and eventually got divorced. My dad took it hard, really, really hard. He wanted to live with his kids, he wanted to raise us as a happy family. My father was not a perfect man, nobody is. He had some personal struggles. Although he was a great father and he loved my mother, he made some mistakes as a husband. I was mad at him for those mistakes and held a grudge for years. Then I grew older as a man and realized how difficult life really is. Once I had to earn a living and provide for myself, not a family of 6 but just for myself, I became aware that life was not as easy as I had thought it was as a kid. I could see how under extreme pressure one could make mistakes. I forgave my father and we continued to build and grow our relationship to remain close in his final years.
On November 8th, 2016 my father was in a severe, near fatal, car accident. He was driving from NJ-Pitt, a trip he had made hundreds of times. He was airlifted from the scene of the accident and taken to the hospital via helicopter. The accident hurt him badly, he had many physical injuries including a broken back. The doctor told him he would never walk again, he told the doctor “You're right, I won’t walk… I’m goin' to run.”
He was in the hospital for five weeks. He was there through thanksgiving and got out in mid December 10 days before Christmas. When he got out he stayed at his parents in Pittsburgh, to recover and rehabilitate. His parents and sisters took great care of him and helped him with everything he needed. He was getting better and sure enough he was beginning to walk again. He celebrated with his family, my grandfather’s 75th birthday on January 21, 2017 the night before he died. There are many pictures of that night, where he is smiling and happy. The next day, Sunday the 22nd, he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to rest before the big Steelers AFC Championship game. He was napping in his bed and snoring loudly. His father went to wake him and thought, I’d better let him sleep some more. When the game was nearing tip-off, his father went up to wake him again. This time he wasn’t snoring, he was silent. He was no longer breathing but he was no longer in pain. His spirit left the physical world and passed on to the next stage. He passed warm and comfortable sleeping in his bed, he passed in peace. Father may you stay in peace.
I am starting this fund to raise money for my three younger siblings. My father's passing was sudden and unexpected, he was only 51 years old. I was fortunate enough to have my dad in my life for 29 years but they were not as lucky. I was crushed that he died two days before my 30th birthday, sad that he won’t be able to attend my wedding or see his first grandchild born. But I am so very grateful that I got to spend 29 years with him. My younger brother Jordan is a young man, 24, just starting his life. My youngest brother Tyler, 17, is just a few months away from his High School graduation. My baby sister, his babygirl Alexis, 15, is only a sophomore in high school. We have all been devastated by his passing and that we will never get to see or speak to him again. I know that he lives within me and as the oldest it is my responsibility to help my siblings now more than ever. He would want me to help them and he wouldn’t want them to have to suffer anymore than they already have. I want to help raise money for their futures.
Dad,
I will never forget the way you laughed, the way you smiled, the way you flicked your wrist when you shot the ball, the way you could spin a ball on your finger forever and ever. You gave me so much and I am grateful for everything you ever did. I want to be with you in the physical form but I know you are still here with me. Everyday I will wake up and make you proud with you guiding over me. I have your name, face and jumpshot. Can't thank you enough for all three. My man. I love you.
A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER...
On January 22, 2017, my father, Charles J. Iarussi jr. passed away while napping in his bed on that Sunday afternoon. Most of you knew him as Chuck. My dad was a fun, vivacious, friendly, charming and charismatic man with a great smile. I remember when I was a young boy I’d say there is nobody cooler than my dad, except maybe Michael Jordan (someone who him and i loved watching play together). He was my role model, my mentor, my coach and one of my best friends. I was his first born. During my mom's pregnancy at one of her ultrasounds, they told her she was having a girl. When my mom picked up my father from work that day and told him the news, he punched the dashboard. He wanted a boy, well... boy, did he get his wish. On January 24th, 1987, 9lbs. 7oz., I was born. Charles J. Iarussi 3rd.
My dad was a heck of a basketball player. He played college ball at Slippery Rock before he went to serve our country in the Navy. Basketball was his whole world, until he became a father. He put the ball in my hands when I was a baby, he was just a baby himself. He was 21 years old, a few weeks before his 22nd birthday. We are both Aquarius, we have the same name, I look just like him and we are similar in so many ways. Mainly because I tried to emulate my father. The way he walked, the way he talked (with his Pittsburgh accent) and MOST of all the way he shot a basketball. My dad was more than a player of the game, he was a legend. He would tell me stories of how he had a boombox in his garage growing up, and he would shoot, shoot and shoot in the driveway while listening to music for hours on end. He perfected his shot and whenever he got the opportunity to show people his skill, they were in awe. He coached me my whole life. When my brother Jordan was born in 1992, I got to see my dad as happy as he was when he had me. He was thrilled. We both were. Another Iarussi boy, another ball player. I lived to be an older brother and he a father. Together we helped teach my younger brother (and siblings) the game which he blossomed so amazingly at. In 1999, came my youngest brother Tyler. He was beautiful healthy baby boy with big blue eyes. In 2001 my dad was given the gift of a daughter, my adorable sweet baby sister Alexis. His heart was filled with joy. Four beautiful healthy children. He often joked if we had one more (5) we’d have a basketball team. TEAM IARUSSI.
My dad wanted us to grow up with his family in Pittsburgh, PA but my mother was from Rumson, NJ. Once my dad got to know the area well, he agree’d that Rumson was truly a great place to raise a family. Even though it was much more expensive than Pittsburgh, he would make it work because he loved his family. He immediately starting playing basketball in Monmouth county and met connections through basketball. Quickly, he met a great friend and teammate in Dave Blumel. They played in countless men’s leagues together and won dozens of 3 on 3 tourneys. Dave asked Chuck to be his first son Matt’s godfather. Chuck asked Dave to be Jordan’s. Together they played ball, raised families and coached each other's kids. Dave filled his brother/best friend void in New Jersey. Which was great because my dad missed his younger brother Tony, his best friend to the day he died, back home dearly.
One day, another one of the basketball connections he had met offered him to coach a team. Jerry Dooley, asked my dad to coach the Rumson Mid-Monmouth Sr. boys team. He took him up on the offer and ended up coaching for 20 years with many winning seasons including one undefeated season 1996-97.
He had the privilege of coaching a lot of great players, athletes, young men and women. He loved every kid he coached and that was the greatest part of his coaching. He spent the same amount of attention on the star player as he did the last kid on the bench. I can’t possibly name all the teams he coached or all of the players so I will try and name some notable ones. Rumson Sr. boys Mid-Monmouth (Jay Dooley, Andy Toole, Rob Petiti, Kevin Van Dam, Mike Davis, Corey Bringham, Greg Bartz, Tim Gill, Kristian Kjesbu, Andy Maynes, Sean Zebora, Billy Geltziler, Jason Miller, Alex Lamagdelane, Mike Rafi, Mike Roberto, Phil Conover, John Planer, Matt Blumel, Luke Glass, the Bauer, Callinan, Gaynor, Fox and Wong brothers to name a few). My dad was a huge influence in the B.Y.A.A. program. Originally he coached the older age groups (Ty Glass, Chris Niez), when I was playing biddy ball. Then he was asked to help with my B.Y.A.A team. We won back to back National Championships in ‘96 & ‘97 (Banners are still in Croydon Hall) when we were 8 & 9 years old (Dan Werner, Scott Anacker, Brian Friberger). He was also the head coach of my brother Jordan’s B.Y.A.A. team (Roy Maybrey, Sean Grennan, Steve Renard, RJ Hobbie). My dad also started and coached the Jersey Storm AAU team which placed in the top 3 in the NJ AAU state tourney three years in a row. The Jersey Storm also produced a number of college players and professional players (Keyron Sheard, Qa’raan Calhoun, Reggie Hendrex, Bryan Taylor, Kyle Brandon, Kevin Sidoti, Tony Perez, Conley Brightbill, Kenny Bernard). The Jersey Shore Hurricanes (Taylor Snyder, Jordan Lawrence, Tony Russo) and he also helped Bob Sidoti with his AAU team he coached (Chris Cullen, Feron Mcgee, Brian Wong). He was a shooting instructor and personal basketball trainer for a lot of players (Kyle Olesko, Jamie Macgale, Justin Clark, Mike Rafi,Fox and Bauer bro's). My dad coached dozens of rec basketball leagues and little league baseball teams. Every time he was in a gym or at a field, even if he wasn’t the coach they asked him to help out. He also started and ran the RFH Hoops Basketball Camp for many years. After coaching he made a smooth transition into refereeing. The same way he impressed people with his shooting form, his ability to coach and teach children, he wowed people with his refereeing. He knew the game so well, and continued to teach/coach as he reffed. He had thick skin and knew that his knowledge of the game was greater than anyone Joe Schmoe yelling at him in the stands.
The best job my father had growing up was working for sports agent Keith Glass. They met of course, through basketball and Mr. Glass asked my dad to work for him. This was a wonderful opportunity for my father and he got to meet so many great basketball people. He was in his element to the utmost degree. He got to hang out and meet some amazing people, including Michael Jordan who was/is my favorite player. He also took me and my brother Jordan to a NETS VS 76ERS game, where we got to meet Allen Iverson. Who was/is my brother Jordan’s favorite player. He formed many close friendships through working with Keith but none closer than my father’s dear friend Lloyd Daniels.
My parents got separated around 2007-2008 and eventually got divorced. My dad took it hard, really, really hard. He wanted to live with his kids, he wanted to raise us as a happy family. My father was not a perfect man, nobody is. He had some personal struggles. Although he was a great father and he loved my mother, he made some mistakes as a husband. I was mad at him for those mistakes and held a grudge for years. Then I grew older as a man and realized how difficult life really is. Once I had to earn a living and provide for myself, not a family of 6 but just for myself, I became aware that life was not as easy as I had thought it was as a kid. I could see how under extreme pressure one could make mistakes. I forgave my father and we continued to build and grow our relationship to remain close in his final years.
On November 8th, 2016 my father was in a severe, near fatal, car accident. He was driving from NJ-Pitt, a trip he had made hundreds of times. He was airlifted from the scene of the accident and taken to the hospital via helicopter. The accident hurt him badly, he had many physical injuries including a broken back. The doctor told him he would never walk again, he told the doctor “You're right, I won’t walk… I’m goin' to run.”
He was in the hospital for five weeks. He was there through thanksgiving and got out in mid December 10 days before Christmas. When he got out he stayed at his parents in Pittsburgh, to recover and rehabilitate. His parents and sisters took great care of him and helped him with everything he needed. He was getting better and sure enough he was beginning to walk again. He celebrated with his family, my grandfather’s 75th birthday on January 21, 2017 the night before he died. There are many pictures of that night, where he is smiling and happy. The next day, Sunday the 22nd, he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to rest before the big Steelers AFC Championship game. He was napping in his bed and snoring loudly. His father went to wake him and thought, I’d better let him sleep some more. When the game was nearing tip-off, his father went up to wake him again. This time he wasn’t snoring, he was silent. He was no longer breathing but he was no longer in pain. His spirit left the physical world and passed on to the next stage. He passed warm and comfortable sleeping in his bed, he passed in peace. Father may you stay in peace.
I am starting this fund to raise money for my three younger siblings. My father's passing was sudden and unexpected, he was only 51 years old. I was fortunate enough to have my dad in my life for 29 years but they were not as lucky. I was crushed that he died two days before my 30th birthday, sad that he won’t be able to attend my wedding or see his first grandchild born. But I am so very grateful that I got to spend 29 years with him. My younger brother Jordan is a young man, 24, just starting his life. My youngest brother Tyler, 17, is just a few months away from his High School graduation. My baby sister, his babygirl Alexis, 15, is only a sophomore in high school. We have all been devastated by his passing and that we will never get to see or speak to him again. I know that he lives within me and as the oldest it is my responsibility to help my siblings now more than ever. He would want me to help them and he wouldn’t want them to have to suffer anymore than they already have. I want to help raise money for their futures.
Dad,
I will never forget the way you laughed, the way you smiled, the way you flicked your wrist when you shot the ball, the way you could spin a ball on your finger forever and ever. You gave me so much and I am grateful for everything you ever did. I want to be with you in the physical form but I know you are still here with me. Everyday I will wake up and make you proud with you guiding over me. I have your name, face and jumpshot. Can't thank you enough for all three. My man. I love you.
Organizer
Cj Iarussi III
Organizer
Middletown, NJ