Lester Lawrence Naegle

Longtime Northern New Jersey resident, Lester L. Naegle, II, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Studio City, CA, on August 9.

Born February 17, 1945, to Nona Muir and Lester Naegle, he grew up in Succasunna, New Jersey, with his six siblings. A talented athlete and coach, his love of sports began as a child. Encouraged by his father, he played Little League Baseball and then, as a teen, worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at Horseshoe Lake. In 1963, he graduated from Roxbury High School, where he earned varsity letters in baseball and basketball. He went on to major in physical education at East Stroudsburg University.

For 35 years, he served as a physical education instructor and coach at Hopatcong High School. He coached cross-country, basketball, baseball, track and field, and swimming, totaling more than 75 teams over his career. He was honored as Coach of the Year multiple times. Additionally, he was a Recreation Director for Roxbury Township and coached the Roxbury High School swim team. In 1992, he was honored by the NJ State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). He impacted many student-athletes over the years. His players will recall his most charming and endearing cheer, "C'mon Knuckleheads!" and his prolific and hilarious nicknames for each of them.

His life was marked by devotion to his family and community. He was the founding President of IMPACT - Interested, Motivated Parents Against Cancer Today, a support group for parents of children with childhood cancer. Forever an optimist with a wonderful sense of humor, he was well-known for his "Naegle-isms," such as "Mess with the bull, you'll get the horns," "Mess with the snake, you'll get the fangs," and "If you hoot with the owls at night, you can't soar with the eagles in the morning."

In 1968 he married Christine Amsden, his loving wife of 57 years, who is heartbroken. After living in Rockaway, New Jersey, Christine and Les moved to Studio City in 2001 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. It was then he was christened "Poppy," a moniker he proudly wore his remaining days.

Much like his mother, Les was an avid gardener. At his California home, he created three separate garden tiers as a tribute to the three grueling hills his runners had to climb, naming them Misery, Agony, and Heartbreak. He was dedicated to the care and restoration of his cherished "Little Red," a 1965 Volvo P1800 which he enjoyed touring, windows down with the Eagles blaring most often New Kid in Town along the back roads of Ojai, California. In his retirement he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and family. From Antarctica to Australia, Japan to Costa Rica, Italy to Amsterdam, he had an appetite for adventure and good food always. A staunch Notre Dame football fan, he never missed watching a game. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. His life in teaching instilled a dedication to social justice that he brought with him to the ballot box as a registered Democrat.

His wife Christine survives him, as do their three children, Suzanne Naegle (Sarah), Andrea Shay (Tom), and Mark Naegle, and seven grandchildren: LiuLiu, Alice, and Nell Naegle Gould, Henry Naegle Gubbins, and Olivia, Jane, and Madeline Shay. His surviving siblings are Madeline Naegle McGowan of New York City, Mary Falk (Peter) of Madison Lake, MN, Dr. Matthew Naegle (Sharon) of Phoenixville, PA, Walter Naegle (Marc) of New York City, and Nona Wolosin (Joe) of Hackettstown, NJ. He will be remembered fondly by many nieces and nephews. His beloved pups, Rosie and Beau, are missing their Poppy.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Charles Michael.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for November of this year.

CONTRIBUTIONS IN HIS MEMORY to Alex's Lemonade : https://www.alexslemonade.org/.