Victor Jarosz

Victor was born on November 29, 1947 in Ulverston, England to Stanislaw and Alfonsina Compagnone Jarosz. His family moved to Jersey City, New Jersey when he was five, and Victor went on to spend a majority of his life in Clifton, New Jersey.

Victor graduated from Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania and later earned a Master’s degree in Education from Montclair University. Victor was a high school English teacher and cross country and track coach at Passaic County Vocational Technical School in Wayne, NJ for nearly 40 years. During his career at Passaic County Vocational Technical School, students knew “Mr. Jarosz” for his easy spirit, fun personality, passion for teaching, and quick wit and excellent sense of humor.

 

Planning to relax after his retirement, Victor was soon drawn back to a second career in the teaching field. He went on to serve as a teacher’s aide at Morris Knolls Regional High School in Denville, New Jersey for many years. There he was well-known for his big personality, passion for education, and his kindness and dedication to the school community.

Victor had a passion for music, trivia, running, and sports. He prided himself on completing daily crossword puzzles in the newspaper, answering every Jeopardy question correctly, and knowing every artist and song from the 50s through the 90s.

In his college days, Victor was known as “VJ the DJ” and could recall every song title just by listening to its first notes. Victor’s love of sports and teaching radiated while coaching and mentoring high school students in various sports but especially in the areas of cross country and track, being a sprinter and marathon runner himself. Victor completed the New York and Boston Marathons and was also an avid runner. Victor had a strong and dedicated work ethic that carried throughout his entire life, and he was also known for his kind and generous spirit, always lending a helping hand to others.

Victor was a devoted father and husband and always loved spending time with his daughters and grandchildren, whether it would be gathering at someone’s house for Sunday dinners or enjoying dinner out at one of his favorite restaurants.

Victor was preceded in death by his father, Stanislaw, and his mother, Alfonsina. He is survived by his wife, Gillian Leigh; former wife, Barbara; four daughters, Janine, Cara, Victoria, and Julianne; two sons-in-law, Casey Gordon and Peter Anciano; and two grandchildren, Ava Gordon, and Andrew Anciano.