Moorestown RAC Recommends Naming Tennis Courts After David Gentile

David Gentile’s name looks like it will remain in the public consciousness of the residents of Moorestown, despite last year’s demolition of a skatepark that was named after him.

During the workshop portion of Monday night’s meeting, Township Manager Scott Carew relayed to Moorestown Council a recommendation from the Recreation Advisory Committee to name tennis courts after Gentile.

Gentile was paralyzed from the neck down in a Moorestown football game in 1979.

After he was paralyzed, he spent 10 years on the recreation advisory board.

He died in 2001 at the age of 36.

A skatepark named in his honor opened in 2002 after his mother made a $120,000 donation, but it was demolished last year.

At the time of the demolition, Township officials promised his name would not be forgotten, and that position was reiterated Monday night.

“It’s a wonderful idea to keep his memory going and I have no problem with it,” Deputy Mayor Stacey Jordan said.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano said.

No action was officially taken, but the issue will be considered at a future meeting.