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Kenneth Sitarik Obituary
AGE: 67 • Succasunna, NJ
Kenneth A. Sitarik, 67, of Succasunna, NJ, passed away on Friday April 22, 2016 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on August 8, 1948 in Elizabeth, NJ and lived in Flanders, NJ for many years before moving to Succasunna eleven years ago. Ken graduated from Millersville State College and later earned a Master's Degree from Rutgers University. He worked as a Math Teacher for the Morris School District for 39 years and was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton RC Church in Flanders.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Geri (nee Healy) Sitarik; his two devoted daughters, Susan Wardell and her husband Bill, and Cheryl Lowell and her husband Scott; his three loving grandchildren, Christine, Jackson, and Avery; and by his two brothers, Dennis Sitarik and his wife Denise, and Timothy Sitarik and his wife Anne. He was also the proud uncle of six nieces and five nephews. To all who were fortunate enough to know Ken, he knew and could do just about everything. As his grandchildren would often say, "Pop can fix it."
A Celebration of Ken's Life will include a visitation on Monday, April 25, 2016 from 4PM-8PM at William J. Leber Funeral Home (908) 879-3090, 15 Furnace Road (Corner of Rt. 206). Chester, NJ 07930. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton RC Church in Flanders. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester, NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Ken's memory to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 61 Main St., Flanders, NJ 07836 or to Lily LaRue Anderson for DIPG Children's Cancer Research, 908 13th Street SE Washington, DC 20003. For further information and to share a fond memory please visit
www.leberfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Sitarik
Sponsored by William J. Leber Funeral Home.
April 18, 2019
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Matt Pagano
June 28, 2017
"Mr. Sitarik", who taught me algebra 20 years ago, was probably the greatest teacher I ever had in my life. I will never forget his energy, sense of humor, quick mind/wit, or uncanny mastery of chalk. The man could draw a perfect circle, or dashed line, and then clean it all up with his giant erasers. When my kids misbehave I will certainly tell them to go "hold up the wall." I am sorry I did not hear of his passing sooner. I have many great memories of his classroom, and I hope his family is inspired by the number of lives he touched over the years.
Marcia Rawlyk
August 8, 2016
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of this classmate. I have many memories of him from middle school and high school.
ROBIN DESCHAK
July 5, 2016
Dear Geri, We only found out yesterday that, sadly, you'd lost Kenny. Rod and I were shocked. Please accept our deepest sympathy, and convey that to your girls. Kim and Jen will be so sad to hear. They both have fond memories of baby-sitting when we were neighbors on Hillery Drive.
Take care,
Robin (Kyser) Deschak
Danny Bubb
June 28, 2016
Hands down the best and most memorable teacher I had in junior high school. I felt that he was capable of talking about abstract mathematical concepts in ordinary terms. There was no pretense. He was a true original.
Christina Carroll
May 1, 2016
Coach Sitarik was one of my favorite coaches and teachers. He would inspire us by saying, "My Grandmother can run faster than you and she is DEAD!" and he would always have surprise pop Quests to make sure we understood the material he was teaching. He is an amazing person. He will be loved and missed by all of us. Sorry for your loss.
Joyce R
April 27, 2016
We are going to miss our friendly neighbor. Today, i walked my dogs up the street and they stopped and looked for you. They always look for you working out in the yard! They sat and wouldn't budge. Thank you for always giving them affection! I have many fond memories of you pushing your grandchild in the stroller and just enjoying your blessings. My heart goes out to your wife and children and all of your family, and the students whose life you made such a difference in
Jennifer Bozza Carey
April 26, 2016
I was fortunate to have Mr. Sitarik for 8th grade math and as a field hockey coach at Frelinghuysen. He was my all-time favorite teacher. He was so tough on the students, but also the most caring and humorous person. Throwing enormous chalkboard erasers (his signature, handmade carpet-covered 2x4s), chucking field hockey sticks like tomahawks and stepping on our stomachs as we did sit-ups at practice...only Mr. Sitarik could get away with that and still be so loved. He was a true original. I wish his family strength and peace at this very sad time.
Alice Feldman
April 25, 2016
Mr. Sitarik was an incredible person. I was not good at math, but Mr.Sitarik made me want to be. He made me want to succeed in his class, not for the good grade - but for the opportunity to prove him right - that I had it in me all along. His classroom was a safe haven for me - there was always a kind word, a friendly smile, an open helping hand when you needed one. Mr. Sitarik believed in us, in our unique potential, and in our ability to succeed. We were all equals in his eyes. He was always there for his students - and welcomed us to come in during lunch, before school, after school, and on weekends for extra help. He was a one of a kind - and I always think of him when I think of the greatest teachers I've ever had in my life. A great, benevolent, light in the world has left us today, and we will never never forget him and what he brought to us. I am so sorry to hear that he has passed; my condolences go out to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace knowing that his life has touched so so many people.
Lea Reidda-Lydon
April 25, 2016
Mr. Sitarist was my daughters math teacher in middle school. He was so incouraging and fair. Also in field hockey just was a wonderful coach. He will be missed.
Emily Keyishian
April 25, 2016
So many fond memories of Mr Sitarik. He was a great teacher and coach. He was unique, imaginative, intelligent and so funny. We worked hard to prove we were learning, but also worked hard to make him laugh. I still remember the feeling of accomplishment to get up on the wall (somebody remind me of what it was called?!) So much strength and light to his family. He will be missed.
Kate Fleischer Brown
April 25, 2016
I'm saddened to hear about Coach Sitarik's passing. I wasn't lucky enough to have him as a math teacher, but I played on the Frelinghuysen field hockey team under his coaching. Mr. Sitarik was a fantastic coach and did everything with such humor and passion. You could tell he really cared about his students and players. My condolences.
Nicole Omaggio
April 25, 2016
Mr. Sitarik was BY FAR the best math teacher I ever had. Junior year pre-calculus made with Mr. S made me realize that I could be good at math, and gave me the courage to go on to a heavily science/math major in college. xoxo to Mr. S and his amazing family.
April 24, 2016
rip Mr. Sitarik~
Jess Park
April 24, 2016
I will never forget his penny loafers where he hid his two shiny dimes. You'll always be shining in our memories, Mr. S!
Jennifer Parker
April 24, 2016
Such a sad day and tremendous loss for his family, colleagues, and his students. I had Mr. Sitarik for 7th grade math, as well as, my softball coach. I loved his MoMo Hall of Fame and his grocery cart full of snacks he sold after practice. He was funny, smart, unflappable, and a role model for all who met him. Heaven got a true angel.
Brian Kiernan
April 24, 2016
Ken was a great colleague who loved the kids he taught and coached. Kids loved his tough love attitude in sports and we're grateful for it. My condolences to the family and know that he was a great influence on many.
Russelle Passino Bradbury
April 24, 2016
What wonderful memories I have of Mr. Sitarik making math serious and yet "fun" while at the same time teaching me how to be an athlete (for the first time) on the field hockey field. I too, am grateful to have had Mr. Sitarik in my life. My thoughts are with you all. Thank you, Mr. Sitarik!
Carl M. Ostergaard, Jr.
April 24, 2016
News of Mr. Sitarik's passing has hit the Morristown High/Frelinghuysen community hard.
He was an excellent teacher and a fantastic mentor. Years and years of students looked up to him and were inspired to be better people because of his subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways. I always worry if I am going to leave the world in a better place than I found it, Mr. Sitarik clearly did that and we will think fondly of him always = )
Jill Magidson
April 24, 2016
Ken was a colleague with whom I shared many laughs. I have a mental image of Ken dressed as a cheerleader for our Faculty Follies. His sense of humor carried over into the classroom. He made math exciting and enjoyable for both of my children and all of his students. As his family grieves they can find solace in the fact that Ken brightened many lives and left a lasting impression on my family. Jill Magidson
Sergio Papadopolo
April 24, 2016
There are only a few teachers from my childhood that I distinctly and fondly remember.....Mr. Sitarik is one of them. He will be missed.
Britt Dickenson
April 24, 2016
Coach you will be missed but never forgotten. I have so many great memories of practices and games of both softball and field hockey at Frelinghuysen under your loud and agressive coaching methods. I remember showing up at field hockey practice with a dislocated elbow and you yelling at me to make sure I'm healed up for softball season. Oh my god, I wonder how many clipboards and field hockey sticks you went through after breaking them all over your knee. It's got to be in the thousands. The trips to Fuddruckers were always a yearly highlight!! Whenever I teach a kid how to throw a ball I use the Sitarik method. You know what I mean. Thanks for being the most influential coach I ever had, and certainly the most colorful. My condolences to your family and friends who knew you best. RIP Coach
Julie Kelly
April 24, 2016
Oh this is such sad news..i had Mr. Sitarik for math at Frelinghuysen School and Morristown High School in the 70's..i went to the high school with my children a few years ago to show them my old classrooms and i look in one of the classrooms and there was Mr. Sitarik! I was so happy to see him..i'm sure he didn't remember me but it was great to see him and he was very nice and we talked about old times..please accept my condolences to the family and godspeed Mr. Sitarik..thank you for all you taught me~
Pamela Shirey
April 24, 2016
So sad to read about his passing. Mr. Sitarik, you were the BEST teacher I ever had and you actually made me want to come to school EVERY day, when you taught me 7th grade math at Frelinghuysen junior school. You made me laugh, taught me life lessons, and were so interested in my softball playing. You MATTERED and made a difference in my life :) Thanks you for all you taught me and thoughts and prayers to your family. Fondly, Pam Shirey student from 1975
Heathee Parker
April 24, 2016
I had Mr. Sitarik for Math when I attended Frelinghysen school. He was a wild and crazy guy. He loved his job and the.students as well. So sorry for your loss. He leaves behind some great school memories. Heather Parker
John Salvi
April 24, 2016
My condolences and prayers to Ken's beloved family. I had the good fortune to be a colleague of Ken's. He was an excellent teacher and well loved by his students. Ken had that rare and wonderful teaching skill of being able to blend his own brand of humor, self discipline, and work ethic into his math classes. His success as a teacher, coach and mentor to so many students was remarkable.
Carla & Bob Schechner
April 24, 2016
So sorry to read about Ken's passing. I taught with him at Frelinghuysen in the Math Dept for many years and his spirit for everything including sports was wonderful. His style was his own and will be remembered by so many.
Liam Daley
April 23, 2016
RIP Mr. Sitarik.. I wasn't the best math student so it was especially meaningful that he was always so incredibly generous with his time and help. God only knows what my SAT math scores would have been without his immensely helpful tutoring. I was blessed to have him twice as a student and as great of a teacher as he was, it was most memorable how he never failed to infect every class he had with his wonderful sense of humor. The joy he had working with students is impossible to forget, and I will forever remember him warmly. God Bless. Prayers and condolences
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