Wallkill Valley Regional H.S. on Thursday is hosting a "celebration of life" in memory of Steve Iannotta, 46, who died unexpectedly Sunday.
HARDYSTON - Wallkill Valley Regional High School is cancelling classes Thursday for the funeral of a teacher who coached the track team.
A "celebration of life" in memory of Steve Iannotta will be held at the high school starting at 10 a.m., said Daryl Jones, the school's athletic director.
Iannotta, 46, died unexpectedly Sunday at his home in Sparta.
The 15-year faculty member taught science, including biology and chemistry, and was head coach of the school's track and field program.
Classes will be dismissed early Wednesday, at 12:30 p.m., to enable students and staff to attend Iannotta's wake at the nearby St. Jude The Apostle Church.
The wake, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., initially was scheduled for the high school.
Jones, in announcing the change Tuesday, said that parking for the wake will be available at the high school, with shuttle buses running to and from the church.
"It's basically adjacent to our campus," Jones said.
Classes will resume Friday, the final day before winter recess.
Schools Superintendent David Carr, in an interview Monday, recalled Iannotta as "a very upbeat, positive, happy guy."
Iannotta was named girls' track and field coach of the year in June by the New Jersey Herald.
In June, the boys' team won the NJAC (New Jersey Athletic Conference) championship in the Colonia Division.
Wallkill Valley Regional High School enrolls students from Hardyston, Franklin, Hamburg and Ogdensburg.
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