Latest news with #BergenfieldHighSchool
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Rob Violante, former Somers HS athlete, NJ football coach, remembered at funeral
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS - It was a solemn Wednesday morning at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church as friends, family and former students gathered to honor the life of Robert Violante, a beloved high school football coach and lifelong Somers resident. Many of Violante's former students and colleagues came to the church, where sobs and sniffles could be heard throughout. Violante, 45, was killed along with three other people in a two-car crash on Wednesday, May 14, on the Taconic State Parkway in New Castle. A van traveling southbound crossed the median between exits 8 and 9 and collided with Violante's Honda sedan that was traveling north in the left lane. Three passengers in the van, all men from New Jersey, were also killed. Violante, head football coach at Bergenfield High School in New Jersey, was a member of a well-known Westchester sports family. He was the son of Frank 'Skip' Violante, a legendary high school football coach for Dobbs Ferry, Rye Neck and Somers High Schools, and the brother of Chris and Brian, also high school and collegiate athletes. Brian Violante read the eulogy at the funeral Mass and Chris Violante read a second one written by a student. They highlighted Violante's joyful nature. Rob Violante was a star varsity quarterback and basketball player at Somers High School from 1994 to 1998. He attended Iona University, then Iona College, for a year and went on to play football as a quarterback for the University of Delaware Blue Hens, before graduating with a degree in special education at Mercy College in 2001. Violante followed in his father's footsteps after college and became a high school teacher and football coach at Dobbs Ferry High School. In 2011, he was hired at Bergenfield High School and stayed for 15 years, one of the longest-tenured head coaches in school history. He also coached track and field and held the position of dean of students before his death. A burial service at St. Francis Cemetery in Mount Kisco was to follow the funeral Mass. The Violante family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the newly-created Rob Violante Memorial Scholarship for Bergenfield High School Students. To donate, send a check made out to the Bergenfield Board of Education with the memo line: Rob Violante Memorial Scholarship. Checks should be mailed to Matt McGrath at Bergenfield High School, 80 South Prospect Ave., Bergenfield, NJ 07621. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rob Violante, former Somers athlete, NJ coach, remembered at funeral
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Funeral services set for beloved football coach killed in Westchester Taconic crash
Funeral services have been set for Bergenfield High School head football coach Robert Violante, 45, who was killed in a two-car crash on the Taconic State Parkway May 14. Violante was killed along with three other people when a van traveling southbound on the parkway in New Castle crossed the median Exits 8 and 9, then flipped over and burst into flames after colliding with Violante's Honda sedan that was traveling north in the left lane. Violante's family, including father Frank and brothers Chris and Brian, were well-known athletes in the Westchester sports community. Frank, also known as Skip, coached football for Westchester-area high schools since the 1970s, including Dobbs Ferry High School, Rye Neck High School and Somers High School. Related: Police identify NJ, NY victims in fatal Taconic State Parkway crash in New Castle Rob Violante was a star varsity quarterback and basketball player at Somers High School from 1994 to 1998. He attended Iona University, then Iona College, for a year and went on to play football as a quarterback for the University of Delaware Blue Hens, before graduating with a degree in Special Education at Mercy College in 2001. 'Rob was a phenomenal athlete. I'm not just saying it because he's my brother, he was one of the best athletes that ever came out of Somers High School," Brian said in an interview with the Journal News Thursday. After his collegiate football journey. Violante went on to teach special education in Westchester and served as assistant football coach for Dobbs Ferry High School in the mid 2000s. In 2011, he was hired at Bergenfield High School and stayed for 15 years, one of the longest-tenured head coaches in school history. He also coached track and field and held the position of Dean of Students before his death. Brian, who teamed up to coach with Violante at Bergenfield for six years, said his brother was 'one of the most positive people' he'd ever been around. 'His positivity changes everything and always puts things into perspective,' Brian said. 'He always pushed those kids and his coaches to be the best that they can be.' Brian said that while his brother didn't have children, he treated his students "like one of his own." "He'd be there 24/7 for whatever they needed. He'd be there in the summertime to motivate them in their workouts and stuff like that. He did anything for those kids. He really did." Violante was born in Yonkers but remained a lifelong resident of Somers until his death. He is survived by parents Frank and Martha, brothers Chris and Brian and girlfriend Dana Brescia. However, Violante's family said that Rob's life revolved around his nephews Andrew, Cameron, Dylan and Jordan, and niece Natalie. "He treated them with love and wanted to do everything he could to help them reach their potential and their dreams," said Chris. "Just an amazing uncle. Whether it's through text or showing up to work out with them in the backyard, even coming to their games and supporting them. He was a major asset in their lives." Related: Bergenfield football coach, former Somers HS athlete Rob Violante killed in Taconic crash Visitation services will be held at Cassidy-Flynn Funeral Directors in Mount Kisco on Tuesday, May 20 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Christian funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 21 at St. Patrick's Church in Yorktown Heights. Burial services will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Mount Kisco. The Violante family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the newly-created Rob Violante Memorial Scholarship for Bergenfield High School Students. To donate, send a check made out to the Bergenfield Board of Education with the memo line: Rob Violante Memorial Scholarship. Checks should be mailed to Matt McGrath at Bergenfield High School, 80 South Prospect Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ 07621. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Funeral services set for Rob Violante, star Somers athlete, NJ coach
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Taconic State Parkway accident: What we know about May 14 fatal crash in Westchester
A multi-car crash on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester Wednesday, May 14 killed four people and left a fifth person in critical condition, state police said. Read on for what we know now. New York State Police have identified those killed, and the person injured, in Wednesday's crash. According to a press release, three New Jersey men who were passengers in a Ram ProMaster van — Odenis Balladares Martinez, 20, of Neptune; Harrison Mauricio Reyes Rivera, 34, of Long Branch; and Bryan Aguilar Castillo, 45, of Asbury Park — were pronounced dead at the scene. The van, driven by Yader A. Reyes, 50, of Long Branch, NJ, collided head on with the 2024 Honda Accord driven by Robert Violante, 45, of Granite Springs, whose car was traveling in the northbound passing lane. Violante, who was New Jersey's Bergenfield High School head football coach and a former star Somers High School athlete, was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead, according to police, Reyes is in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center, police said. Related: Police identify NJ, NY victims in fatal Taconic State Parkway crash in New Castle Wednesday's fatal crash happened on the Taconic in the town of New Castle, at mile marker 9.2 near exits 8 and 9, according to a press release from New York State police. A Sprinter van traveling southbound on the Taconic Wednesday afternoon crossed the median and collided with a Honda sedan that was traveling north in the left lane, police said. The van flipped over and burst into flames. Three of the van's passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The driver of the Honda died after being taken to a hospital. The van driver was in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center, police said. Related Four people killed in Taconic State Parkway crash: Police Police have not yet identified victims in the Taconic State Parkway crash. Four people have died, and one person, whom police said was driving the Sprinter van, was injured and is in critical condition. On social media, the New Jersey and Lower Hudson Valley sports communities have identified one of the victims as Robert Violante, a coach at Bergenfield High School in Bergen County, NJ. According to a report from the The Record/ the New Jersey Football Coaches Association put out a statement on Thursday morning on X, formerly known as Twitter: "The NJFCA has waken up to the tragic news of Coach Rob Violante's sudden passing. He was an outstanding coach, mentor, friend & family man." New York State Police are investigating the May 14 crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant information is urged to contact the police at 845-677-7300. Traffic was diverted off Exit 8 and the northbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway remained closed for several hours on Wednesday. State police announced the roadway had reopened at 11:20 p.m. As of 8:10 a.m. Thursday, traffic appeared to be moving as normal and all lanes were open on the Taconic. Contributing: lohud's Michael P. McKinney, Peter Carr, Ashley Fontones and Jonathan Bandler; Darren Cooper of USA TODAY Network's (This is a developing story and will update.) This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Taconic State Parkway accident: What we know now about fatal crash
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police identify NJ, NY victims in fatal Taconic State Parkway crash in New Castle
State police have identified the four people killed, and the person critically injured, in Wednesday's two-car Taconic State Parkway crash in New Castle. Preliminary investigation indicates a 2014 Ram ProMaster van driven by Yader A. Reyes, 50, of Long Branch, New Jersey, was traveling south May 14 on the Taconic when it crossed the median into the northbound lanes, a New York State Police news release said. The van collided head on with the 2024 Honda Accord driven by Robert Violante, 45, of Granite Springs, whose car was traveling in the northbound passing lane. Taconic State Parkway accident: What we know now about May 14 fatal crash in Westchester Three passengers in the Ram ProMaster, all men from New Jersey — Odenis Balladares Martinez, 20, of Neptune; Harrison Mauricio Reyes Rivera, 34, of Long Branch; and Bryan Aguilar Castillo, 45, of Asbury Park were —pronounced dead at the scene. Violante, who was New Jersey's Bergenfield High School head football coach and a former star Somers High School athlete, was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead, according to police, Reyes, the van's driver, is in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center, the police said Crash victim remembered: Bergenfield coach, former Somers HS athlete Rob Violante killed in Taconic crash The crash's cause is unknown and the investigation is ongoing, police said Thursday. Wednesday's crash, which occurred at mile marker 9.2 near exits 8 and 9, caused the van to overturn and catch fire, according to the police. A stretch of the Taconic was closed for hours after the crash and traffic was diverted off Exit 8. The state police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has relevant information to contact the police at 845-677-7300. Contributing: lohud's Alexandra Rivera, Peter Carr, Ashley Fontones, and Jonathan Bandler; Darren Cooper of USA TODAY Network's This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Police ID 4 people killed, 1 injured in Taconic State Parkway crash
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Taconic State Parkway crash victim Robert Violante was a beloved N.J. football coach
Robert Violante, head football coach at New Jersey's Bergenfield High School, was killed in a horrific accident on the Taconic State Parkway in New York. Bergenfield's superintendent and mayor confirmed Violante was one of the four people who died in the fiery collision Wednesday in Westchester County. "It is with profound sorrow that I write to inform you of the passing of our beloved high school faculty member, head football coach, and track coach, Mr. Robert Violante — known affectionately to many as "Coach V," Bergenfield Superintendent Christopher Tully wrote in a letter to students, staff and parents Thursday. "His unexpected loss is deeply felt across our entire school community, and we know that Bergenfield High School and our town will never be the same without him. He died in a tragic car accident on the way home from school yesterday." Violante started working for the district as a special education teacher 15 years ago, the letter said. Robert Violante, head football coach at New Jersey's Bergenfield High School, died in the fiery crash on the Taconic State Parkway on May 14, 2025, officials confirmed. Bergenfield Public School District "Many fondly compared him to Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in Kindergarten Cop, a gentle giant guiding young children with care and strength," Tully wrote. "His heart of gold and unwavering support made him a beloved figure in our schools." Grief counselors are being made available to Bergenfield students and staff in the wake of Violante's death, the superintendent said. "Our community is grieving right now, especially the kids in school," Mayor Arvin Amatorio said in a statement to CBS News New York. The New Jersey Football Coaches Association said on social media, "The NJFCA has waken up to the tragic news of Coach Rob Violante's sudden passing. He was an outstanding coach, mentor, friend & family man. Please join us in sending our collective support to his loved ones, his staff, his players & the Bergenfield community. RIP Coach Violante." Information about memorial services for Violante will be shared on the school's website when available, Tully said. 4 dead in Taconic State Parkway crash The fatal crash happened at around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday near Saw Mill River Road in New Castle. New York State Police said the driver of a Sprinter van going southbound crossed the median into the northbound lanes and struck a Honda sedan. The van overturned and burst into flames. Three people in the van were pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver was hospitalized in critical condition. The Honda driver died from their injuries at the hospital. Officials did not immediately say which car Violante was in. The names of the three other victims have not yet been released. Mark Prussin Mark Prussin is a digital producer at CBS New York. He covers breaking news, sports, politics and trending stories in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mark joined the CBS New York team in 2019. contributed to this report.
