Funeral services for Steve Iannotta will be held at the high school where he taught for 15 years
HARDYSTON - Wallkill Valley Regional High School is in mourning after a popular teacher and coach died unexpected Sunday.
Steve Iannotta, 46, a married father of two daughters and two step-sons, died at his home in Sparta, according to his obituary.
A cause of death was not disclosed.
Iannotta's death stunned his colleagues at the high school, who last saw him at a staff Christmas party on Friday, and his students.
The lifelong Sussex County resident taught science, including biology and chemistry, and was head coach of the school's track and field program.
In June, the boys' team won the NJAC (New Jersey Athletic Conference) championship in the Colonia Division.
The track program's official Twitter account issued a one-word tweet Sunday. It read, "family."
Schools Superintendent David Carr, in a note to parents, said Iannotta was a 15-year faculty member at the school, which enrolls students from Franklin, Hamburg and Ogdensburg in addition to Hardyson.
"Steve was just a very upbeat, positive, happy guy. Very generous," Carr told NJ Advance Media.
"He was always there for people. The first guy to pitch in if you needed something," Carr said.
Referring to the late teacher's athletes, Carr said, "He was just thrilled when the kids did well."
Iannotta was named girls' track and field coach of the year in June by the New Jersey Herald.
Daryl Jones, the school's athletic director, said, "He was a friend to everybody in the building."
Before arriving at Wallkill Valley Regional, Iannotta taught at Butler High School, Elizabeth High School and Lenape Valley Regional High School.
At Wallkill Valley Regional, Iannotta found a lasting home.
Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.