Tag:

Softball

Popular Bergen County Youth Sports Coach, Dad To Newborn Mike Burns Dies After Bicycle Ride, 37 Popular Bergen County Youth Sports Coach, Dad To Newborn Mike Burns Dies After Bicycle Ride, 37
Popular Bergen County Youth Sports Coach, Dad To Newborn Mike Burns Dies After Bicycle Ride, 37 Shock and sadness spread following the death of 37-year-old Michael Burns, a well-respected youth sports coach and father of two. According to his obituary, Mike died unexpectedly on a bicycle ride Sunday, March 3.  A member of the Ironworkers Union, Local 11 Mike "loved the challenges of his job, especially the thrill of working on structures from very great heights," his obituary reads. He was outspoken and "always tried to push his own personal limits." "Wrestling was his lifelong passion, and he trained his body, mind and spirit with diligence and devotion to the art and skills of…
Passaic County Rallies Around Softball Player Battling Cancer Passaic County Rallies Around Softball Player Battling Cancer
Passaic County Rallies Around Softball Player Battling Cancer Sofie Stokes' toughest battles are usually on the softball diamond. But now she faces an even bigger fight. Stokes, a Totowa resident, was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July. She has undergone two surgeries and begun chemotherapy. Stokes' father, Nicholas, is a physical education teacher and coach. A fundraiser has been set up to assist the family with medical expenses. As of Monday, August 14, more than $14,300 has been raised. The standout softball player is known as being the first one on the field, always doing anything to help out. Stokes is "always smiling wh…
Beloved NJ Wrestling Coach Curt Pakutka Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 Beloved NJ Wrestling Coach Curt Pakutka Dies After Cancer Battle, 55
Beloved NJ Wrestling Coach Curt Pakutka Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 A beloved New Jersey high school teacher and coach died after a lengthy battle to esophageal cancer. Curt D. Pakutka, 55, of Mansfield Township, died on June 7, at Hackettstown Medical Center. He was a well-loved physical education and driver's education teacher, as well as occasionally teaching health, at Newton High School in Sussex County. His love for sports followed him when he became a wrestling coach for Jefferson Township in Morris County from 2004-2015 and the head coach for the Newton High School Girls softball team from 2008-2019, according to his obituary. Curt also p…
Hoboken's Natalie Classen Killed In PA Shooting Was 'Talented Athlete With Relentless Drive' Hoboken's Natalie Classen Killed In PA Shooting Was 'Talented Athlete With Relentless Drive'
Hoboken's Natalie Classen Killed In PA Shooting Was 'Talented Athlete With Relentless Drive' Support was surging and condolences pouring days after the Reading, PA shooting death of New Jersey resident Natalie Classen. The 30-year-old woman was gunned down around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, June 15 while walking with a group on North 10th Street, police in Reading said. When they arrived at the intersection with Greenwich Street, a man with another group approached and shot her once, investigators said.  The suspect and his group fled the area, while Classen flagged down a cab and was taken to Reading Hospital, the department said. She died of her injury while officers were still securin…
Devoted North Jersey Acupuncturist, Clinic Owner Dies Unexpectedly, 42 Devoted North Jersey Acupuncturist, Clinic Owner Dies Unexpectedly, 42
Devoted North Jersey Acupuncturist, Clinic Owner Dies Unexpectedly, 42 Devoted North Jersey acupuncturist and clinic owner Dr. Marcy Ann L'Hommedieu died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 25 at the age of 42. Born in Dover, Marcy grew up in Warren County, where she attended North Warren Regional High School, her obituary and social media pages say. Marcy then moved to the Sunshine State, earning her bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and her doctorate in acupuncture from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine, her memorial says. Marcy later returned to New Jersey and founded AcuVitality with locations in both Blairstown and Andover. She was k…
Central Jersey Native, Beloved Dad Dies Suddenly, 38 Central Jersey Native, Beloved Dad Dies Suddenly, 38
Central Jersey Native, Beloved Dad Dies Suddenly, 38 Central Jersey native and beloved father Douglas Maurice Verschelde died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 19. He was 38. Verschelde grew up in Medford before moving to Point Pleasant, where he lived at the time of his death, his obituary says. A member of Five Alive Bassmasters, Verschelde loved fishing and working on his boat. Verschelde was also an avid softball player and Scudz Sports teammate, his memorial says. Above all, Verschelde is remembered for embracing his role as a loving father to his young daughter, Angelina LaChappelle, who was his “greatest joy in life.” In addition…
Bergen County Native Andrea Bernstein Dies, 36 Bergen County Native Andrea Bernstein Dies, 36
Bergen County Native Andrea Bernstein Dies, 36 Ridgewood native Andrea Bernstein died on Aug. 27 at Hackensack University Medical Center. She was 36 years old. Andrea played softball for Ridgewood High School and went on to attend nursing school, working in the operating room for several years, her obituary from the Feeney Funeral Home says. She is survived by her 5-year-old son, Connor; Connor's father, Michael Bernstein; parents William and Cheryl Schroen; her sister Caitlin Schroen; grandmother Jean Schroen; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Services were held Sept. 2 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood. Interm…
Indoor Dance, Gymnastics, Martial Arts Facilities Can Reopen In NJ -- Still Not Fitness Centers Indoor Dance, Gymnastics, Martial Arts Facilities Can Reopen In NJ -- Still Not Fitness Centers
Indoor Dance, Gymnastics, Martial Arts Facilities Can Reopen In NJ -- Still Not Fitness Centers Indoor youth sports facilities, dance and music studios, gymnastics gyms and martial arts studios were allowed to reopen Thursday, state officials said. Museums, aquariums, water parks, batting cages and bowling alleys, had also previously been given the OK. Click here for the guidelines on those. Gyms and indoor workout facilities will remain closed until new positive cases of coronavirus subside, Gov. Phil Murphy has said. One-on-one training is allowed with some limits.  Atlantic City casinos, arcades and arts/craft centers also are among the state's businesses that began a partial…
Old Tappan Triplet Boy, 9, Claims Segregation After Being Banned From Sisters' Softball League Old Tappan Triplet Boy, 9, Claims Segregation After Being Banned From Sisters' Softball League
Old Tappan Triplet Boy, 9, Claims Segregation After Being Banned From Sisters' Softball League A 9-year-old boy from Old Tappan is claiming segregation after he was banned from playing with his sisters in their softball league. Cayden Walsh is fighting to play with his sisters, Rylee and Kelsey, on the Old Tappan team coached by his dad, Will Walsh, NorthJersey.com reports. The team is in an eight-town league for Northern Valley -- and Cayden says he just wants to play with his friends. He wrote a letter in January to league officials: "I see no reason why boys can't play softball just because they are a different gender. If you ask me that sounds a lot like segregation." And …