Phillip ‘Phil’ Orsini, 44, Dedicated Family Man, Teacher and Coach

Phillip “Phil” Anthony Orsini, 44, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains after a yearlong fight with cancer. Phil was born in Summit, N.J., to John and Michele Orsini, grew up in Westfield with his sister, Natalie, and later married his wife, Jill, and settled in Scotch Plains to raise his two daughters, Lena and Amelia, alongside his trusted companion Mookie.

Phil was an altruistic, compassionate, humble person who felt most grounded surrounded by friends, particularly at the softball field, around a fire pit or watching his favorite sports teams break his heart — the New York Giants, New York Mets and New Jersey Devils. Phil had a wicked sense of humor, kind eyes, a big laugh, patience for days and a heart of gold.

While Phil had many jobs — a master griller, known for his famous smash burgers, a dedicated coach, softball enthusiast, and a math teacher in Elizabeth for over 20 years — his favorite job was being an extraordinary girl dad to Lena and Amelia. He embraced fatherhood with gusto, and as a natural teacher, he taught them about humility, compassion, hard work, punk rock music, the proper way to field a ground ball, and later math equations. Phil lived his life fearlessly and passionately, often on the open water at sunrise, fishing in his kayak, searching for a “keeper.” Many days these fishing trips would happen before Phil had to go to work, using the ocean to rinse off. Phil loved the beach, particularly the New Jersey shore and Rhode Island coastline, and loved sharing his love for it with the girls. This included surfing the waves, fishing, kayaking, boating and seining. There wasn’t a beach vacation where Phil wasn’t surrounded by kids on the beach or bay as he showed off his catch, even one time with a fishing hook still lodged in his finger.

In a typical New Jersey love story, Phil met Jill at the Jersey shore Memorial Day weekend, 2005 through a mutual friend. That weekend they shared their hopes and dreams while falling in love with their toes in the sand and “untz” music in their heads. By the following Friday they were a couple and never looked back — true love at first sight.

While Phil might be best known around Westfield for his two-run homerun in the 1998 Union County Tournament which led the varsity baseball team to victory, or at the University of Rhode Island for his sense of adventure — bodyboarding during a blizzard — his greatest passion was coaching softball, where he was instrumental in the growth and development of the Scotch Plains Fanwood PAL and youth softball league. Phil had an extraordinary gift when it came to coaching. His love for the game trumped wins or losses. He was positive, supportive, patient and kind. He focused on player development and never showed up for practice without a game plan. He instilled confidence in his young players and did everything he could to make the game fun. Music played an important role in Phil’s life as a self-taught guitarist. He spent many nights riffing in his basement, serenading his girls and covering his favorite punk rock songs. Phil loved to frequent music venues and dive bars to “rock out,” including the iconic Stone Pony and The Crossroads in Garwood, where he once played on stage alongside a friend.

Phil spent his whole career as an eighth grade math teacher in the Elizabeth Public Schools system, where he pioneered the enrichment and advanced teaching of Algebra and Geometry for the gifted & talented program and coached freshman baseball. Phil was a dedicated teacher and coach, whose students later caught up with him in adulthood and became friends.

Phil’s legacy and humanity will live on in all who know him. He was a mentor, friend and inspiration to many.

Phil leaves behind his cherished wife, Jill, of 16 years, as well as two adoring daughters, Lena and Amelia; his parents, John and Michele; sister, Natalie, and a whole host of extended family, friends, colleagues, students, and athletes.

Cremation was private. A memorial gathering was held on Monday, July 15, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Avenue, Fanwood, N.J. 07027.AFuneral Mass took place on Tuesday, July 16, at 10 a.m., at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2032 WestfieldAvenue, Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phil’s name to Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains or to the Scotch Plains Fanwood Police Athletic League (PAL).

July 18, 2024