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January 23, 2020
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 4-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where at 11 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will follow at the First Reformed Church Cemetery, Pompton Plains.
Charles F. Spinella, age 68 of Wayne, died at home on Thursday, January 23, 2020 with his loving family gathered at his bedside. He had fought a courageous nine-month battle with Leukemia.
Charlie grew up in Paterson and graduated in 1968 from John F. Kennedy high school, the first graduating class from the newest high school in the city of Paterson. Charlie was especially proud to have graduated high school and started college while he was still just sixteen years old. He went on to Fairleigh Dickinson College in Teaneck and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in K-12 Social Studies. He started teaching at his alma mater; John F. Kennedy High, and ultimately spent his entire forty-year career at Kennedy. He taught history for much of his time there, and was Dean of Students for the last twelve years before retiring in 2012. He truly loved being a teacher, mentoring students, and especially coaching basketball.
Many of Charlie’s students appreciated him for his influence in their lives. He was inspirational and a talented motivator. As a basketball coach, he loved watching his players grow and improve their skills, all the while building their own confidence and self-esteem. He loved the game of basketball, but especially appreciated how his students and players matured through playing the game. Charlie played basketball himself throughout his entire life. As a member of the “Boys of Summer” team, he played often with his group of friends, and he loved watching NBA games as well. Though he had a love for basketball, his family was always his top priority.
Charlie was madly in love with his wife, Linda (nee Zangrilli), and they were truly devoted to one another. They met at a diabetes fundraiser clam bake in October of 1978. Their romance moved quickly and they were soon engaged to be married. They wed on November 25, 1979, just one year after meeting. Even though he couldn’t wait to tie the knot, their big day was scheduled to work around basketball season! They enjoyed a Bahamas honeymoon before moving to Clifton and eventually settling in Wayne in 1986. They shared dreams, they shared goals, and they shared a very special love for over forty years. They had a fun marriage and were very affectionate, despite any obstacles life threw at them.
Charlie and Linda’s home was always warm and inviting. Charlie cared for the landscaping, grew a garden with fruits and vegetables, and took impeccable care of everything outside. He treasured not only taking care of his house, but creating a home that brought the family together. Charlie and Linda raised three children and Charlie was their “#1 fan.” He had a special and unique bond with each of his children, and his greatest sense of pride and accomplishment came from watching them become successful. Charlie loved his family more than anything, and they will all miss him dearly.
Charlie is survived by his beloved wife Linda of Wayne, their three children; Lynette Spinella and her partner Daniel Jensen of Butler, Lauren Spinella and her husband Christopher D’Amico of Bloomingdale, and Joseph Spinella and his wife Ashley of Florida.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 4-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where at 11 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will follow at the First Reformed Church Cemetery, Pompton Plains.
January 23, 2020
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 4-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where at 11 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will follow at the First Reformed Church Cemetery, Pompton Plains.
Charles F. Spinella, age 68 of Wayne, died at home on Thursday, January 23, 2020 with his loving family gathered at his bedside. He had fought a courageous nine-month battle with Leukemia.
Charlie grew up in Paterson and graduated in 1968 from John F. Kennedy high school, the first graduating class from the newest high school in the city of Paterson. Charlie was especially proud to have graduated high school and started college while he was still just sixteen years old. He went on to Fairleigh Dickinson College in Teaneck and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in K-12 Social Studies. He started teaching at his alma mater; John F. Kennedy High, and ultimately spent his entire forty-year career at Kennedy. He taught history for much of his time there, and was Dean of Students for the last twelve years before retiring in 2012. He truly loved being a teacher, mentoring students, and especially coaching basketball.
Many of Charlie’s students appreciated him for his influence in their lives. He was inspirational and a talented motivator. As a basketball coach, he loved watching his players grow and improve their skills, all the while building their own confidence and self-esteem. He loved the game of basketball, but especially appreciated how his students and players matured through playing the game. Charlie played basketball himself throughout his entire life. As a member of the “Boys of Summer” team, he played often with his group of friends, and he loved watching NBA games as well. Though he had a love for basketball, his family was always his top priority.
Charlie was madly in love with his wife, Linda (nee Zangrilli), and they were truly devoted to one another. They met at a diabetes fundraiser clam bake in October of 1978. Their romance moved quickly and they were soon engaged to be married. They wed on November 25, 1979, just one year after meeting. Even though he couldn’t wait to tie the knot, their big day was scheduled to work around basketball season! They enjoyed a Bahamas honeymoon before moving to Clifton and eventually settling in Wayne in 1986. They shared dreams, they shared goals, and they shared a very special love for over forty years. They had a fun marriage and were very affectionate, despite any obstacles life threw at them.
Charlie and Linda’s home was always warm and inviting. Charlie cared for the landscaping, grew a garden with fruits and vegetables, and took impeccable care of everything outside. He treasured not only taking care of his house, but creating a home that brought the family together. Charlie and Linda raised three children and Charlie was their “#1 fan.” He had a special and unique bond with each of his children, and his greatest sense of pride and accomplishment came from watching them become successful. Charlie loved his family more than anything, and they will all miss him dearly.
Charlie is survived by his beloved wife Linda of Wayne, their three children; Lynette Spinella and her partner Daniel Jensen of Butler, Lauren Spinella and her husband Christopher D’Amico of Bloomingdale, and Joseph Spinella and his wife Ashley of Florida.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.
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