South Jersey Boy, 9, Killed, And His Little League Stops To Mourn

He was only 9, but Chris Sacco excelled in life, as well as on the baseball diamond. His Little League will remember everything he did in his short life by shutting down for two days.

A New Jersey Little League will cancel two days of games to pay tribute to the 9-year-old boy who was struck and killed while getting the mail.

Chris Sacco of Hammonton was struck and killed Thursday on Moss Hill Road while he was walking across the street to retrieve his mail, according to police and the Hammonton Little League.

He was pronounced dead soon after he was transported to the hospital from the 4:39 p.m. crash. As of Saturday, no charges were filed against the 30-year-old driver who remained on the scene.

The Hammonton Little League canceled all games Friday evening, and will cancel all games this Monday when services will be held at St. Joseph's Church in Hammonton. A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. followed by a mass at 12 noon.

Sacco, a member of the "Kiwani's" within the Boys Majors division, "was taken from this earth far too early after being fatally struck by a vehicle," said Dave Cappuccio, president of the Hammonton Little League.

"As we all grieve the loss of this vibrant young man, we remember how precious life is and how unfair it sometimes is," Cappuccio said.

The Little league will hold a memorial service to celebrate Chris on Monday night on the Boys Majors Field at the Hammonton Lake Park. "In this time of loss we will come together as a community to support Chris' family and loved ones," according to Cappuccio.

"We ask that our entire community come out to the ballpark on Monday night at 7 p.m. as we celebrate Chris' life and show our support for Chris' entire family," he added. "In a sign of solidarity, I am asking that all players from every division wear their little league uniform jersey."

On his obituary page, friends and other families remembered him for being the boy who could always put a smile on your face.

"I had Chris in my music class for the last three years and he always brought a smile to my face. Such a tragic loss for all of us. Love and prayers to the family," one person wrote.

"On behalf of the entire community at Monroe Twp. Youth Soccer, we offer our sincere condolences and prayers for your family and the communities of Hammonton Little League and Hammonton Youth Soccer. Chris D'Angelo and family," another wrote.

"The Town of Hammonton lost an amazing young boy last night," the police department said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the many people whose lives were touched by Chris."

Sacco was born in Voorhees and was a 4th grade student at Warren E. Sooy Elementary School. He played baseball for Hammonton Little League and Hammonton Hornets Travel Team, according to his obituary from the Marinella Funeral Home.

He played soccer for Hammonton Youth Soccer Association, football for Hammonton Hawks and was a Washington Redskins fan.

Christopher was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Frank and Nancy Sacco and maternal grandfather John L. Morrison. He is survived by his brother Frank G. Sacco, his father, Frank P. Sacco and Trish Radd and her children Jarett, Jake and Abbey.

He also was survived by his mother MaryAnne Sacco and Robert Templeton and his children Joseph and Brayden.

Family and friends are invited to attend his church visitation Monday at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish – St. Joseph Church at 3rd & French Sts. Entombment will be at Greenmount Cemetery Hammonton.

Donations in Christopher’s memory to Hammonton Little League P.O. Box 1025 Hammonton, NJ 08037 or Hammonton Hawks PO Box 782 Hammonton, NJ 08037. Arrangements entrusted to Marinella Funeral Home, Hammonton. Please share condolences: www.marinellafuneralhome.com

Photos courtesy of the Marinella Funeral Home