The University lost some of its sunshine over the summer, as senior Paul M. Chrzaszcz died in a tragic drowning accident on June 19.
According to an article in The Star Ledger, Chrzaszcz and a friend were in a boat on Cheesequake Creek when they dropped a trolling motor into the water. He then returned the next day and went into the creek to receive the motor and authorities said he never resurfaced.
Chrzaszcz was a commuter student from South Amboy and an Art and Design major. He also worked as a fireman for the Mechanicisville Hose Co. in South Amboy and the Melrose Hose Co. in Sayreville.
Art Professor Vincent Dimattio was very close with Chrzaszcz and said in all his years of teaching, he was one of the most caring young people he ever worked with.
“His signature was that he was put on Earth to help as many people as he could,” Dimattio said. “He cared about everybody, was always helpful, and was always there for people.”
Dimattio said Chrzaszcz was thinking of going to graduate school and was a man with many hobbies and interests. He was a fireman, a fisherman and a young artist.
“He was like a renaissance manjust interested in so many things and he had a unique way of involving himself with people,” Dimattio said.
John Zammit, who graduated in May, had known Chrzaszcz for all of his life as they both grew up together in South Amboy.
“I used to joke that with his smile and his great personality he could be the mayor one day,” said Zammit. “Paul was a role model and a great influence on others and had he been giving the opportunity, he would have impacted our world in some shape or form in a way that only few can.”
Friends will remember Chrzaszcz for his work ethic and enthusiasm for life.
“Paul was such a hard worker and whenever he was around he was the life of the party, always so happy,” graduate student Alicia Leifken said. “He always took the time to stop and catch up, whether it is out one night or just a run-in at the student center, he was so interested and genuinely cared about what was going on in your life.”
“His glass half full approach to life was contagious,” said alumni Gene Henke. Paul made everyone around him a better person and it is a true shame what happened and that the world lost such a great person.”
Chrzaszcz loved being a part of the University and let others know just how he felt.
“We worked together in Pier Village and he got me so excited to begin at the University. He always spoke well of the school and I looked forward to seeing a familiar face on campus,” sophomore Alexis DeCarvalho said.
Chrzaszcz was born on February 16, 1988 and is survived by his parents Michael and Anne Chrzaszcz and his sister, Paige Chrzaszcz. “It seems that there’s a trend amongst young people like Paul who pass,” DeCarvalho said. “Aside from the fact they are taken much too soon, their knowledge is unimaginable, their presence is extraordinary, and their smile remains unforgettable.”
Additional reporting for this story was done by Alyssa Gray and Jacklyn Kouefati.
