Samuel Champi Obituary (2021) – Chester, NJ – The Star-Ledger – The Star-Ledger Obituaries

Samuel Frank Champi Civil engineer, acclaimed football player at West Point in 1960s, Morristown Little League coach, ‘his set of principles never wavered’ Samuel F. Champi husband, father, grandfather, and longtime Chester NJ resident passed away with family at his side on August 4, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with respiratory illnesses. He was 76. Champi was born and raised in Newark, NJ, attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Seton Hall Preparatory School. He earned multiple honors for academic achievement including graduating top of his class in both elementary and high school. He was also named valedictorian in his senior year of high school. He excelled in athletics, earning multiple letters in basketball, baseball, and football. And in his senior year at Seton Hall, he earned All-State honors and Outstanding Athlete/Scholar in Essex County for his football prowess. In only his second track meet ever, Champi won the 1962 Javelin State Championship. For his academic and athletic accomplishments, Champi was inducted into both the Seton Hall Preparatory School and Newark Halls of Fame. After turning down multiple athletic and academic scholarship offers, Champi selected the prestigious United States Military Academy. As a testament to his work ethic and commitment to excellence, Champi excelled in and out of the classroom. Academically, he graduated in the top 5% of his class for four consecutive years, was on every Dean’s List while at West Point, and graduated 10th overall in a class of 575 cadets. Militarily, he was selected Commanding Officer at Camp Buckner in his second year, Regimental Commander in his third year, completed the elite Ranger school, and graduated as a Captain, First Class. Though he played basketball as a plebe under Bobby Knight, playing West Point football was where he truly shined. Throughout his playing career, Champi earned three varsity letters, five All-East Honors, MVP of the 1965 Army-Navy game, played most minutes in a season for two consecutive seasons, selected to the 1965 North-South Shrine game, National Hall of Fame, and 1965 Academic All-American team. His two prized memories are tearing the jersey of Hall of Famer Roger Staubach in the 1963 Army-Navy game (and keeping it by tucking it in his pants) and catching the winning touchdown in the 1964 Army-Navy game. His only regret was tying Navy in the 1965 game. Upon graduating from West Point, Champi attended Princeton University, earned his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering and then fulfilled his remaining military requirement by serving in the Vietnam War repairing and building bridges. Upon leaving the military, Champi settled in Maplewood and began his career as a civil engineer at Engineers Incorporated. In 1968, he married the love of his life, Ruselyn (Bagott) Champi of Chester NJ. By 1975, Champi, his wife and growing family moved into a larger home in Morristown, NJ and then ultimately moved to Chester in 1993 where they have resided for the past 28 years. Throughout his professional career, Champi established himself a man of integrity, honesty, and intelligence with an unparalleled work ethic. Though an imposing figure at 6’5″ and 280 lbs., he had an easy-going demeanor and strong sense of humor that put most people at ease. In addition to his family, planning boards, and other civic commitments, Champi found his other true passion when he started coaching Little League in 1978. For over forty years at Morristown National Little League, Champi guided his teams to countless league championships, district and sectional titles, and two state championship titles. He taught life lessons and instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment in thousands of young players. His goal was to not only make them better baseball players but better athletes, sons, daughters, and siblings and to prepare them for all future endeavors. He taught them to respect themselves, their families, teammates and opponents and instilled in them the value of hard work and what truly defines a person is how you respond when you get knocked down. Champi will forever be remembered as a wonderful son, brother, athlete, teammate, coach, husband, father, and grandfather that lived his life with a keen moral compass and set of principles that never wavered. Ever. He shaped the lives of not only those close to him, but countless others and his influence will be felt for many years to come. Champi is the son of the late Samuel and Rose Champi and is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Ruselyn (Bagott) Champi of Chester NJ and their five children: Sam Jr. Champi (Jill) of Morristown, NJ; Bill Champi (Alyssa) of Morristown NJ; Cristine Champi of Chester NJ; Kimberly Krenik of Alexandria Va; Dana Champi of Washington Twp NJ; and seven grandchildren, Cassidy Champi, Lauren Champi, Chase Champi, Sydney Champi, Ariana Champi, and Kingston and Russi Krenik. He is also survived by his sister, Angela Fahey (Richard, dec.) of Bernardsville NJ and late brother, Frank Champi. He is also remembered by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Visitation services will be held at the William J. Leber Funeral Home, 15 Furnace Road, Chester, NJ on Sunday, August 8th from 1 PM to 5 PM. The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 9th at St. Luke Parish, 265 West Mill Road, Long Valley, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Morristown Nation Little League (MNLL.org) or the Chester First Aid Squad (chesterfirstaid.org). For further information and to share a fond memory please visit www.leberfuneralhome.com. GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY BE COOL William J. Leber Funeral Home 15 Furnace Rd Chester, NJ 07930 (908) 879-3090