Beloved Wayne Baseball Coach Dies

Jim Loverdi, the baseball coach who turned around Passaic County Tech’s team in only three years, died Thursday. 

Loverdi, 44, died unexpectedly in Florida while on vacation with his family.

Loverdi, a lifelong Little Falls resident, taught physical education at the school. He was an assistant football and basketball coach for 17 years.

Loverdi also managed “countless students both on and off the field,” his obituary states.

“He touched countless lives with his easy smile and words of encouragement,” the obituary states. “Wherever he went, he would meet someone he knew and would always make time to stop and talk. Although he was taken far too early, his family and friends are blessed with a lifetime of memories.

Loverdi was named the coach of the year in the Big North Division last year and this year.

Sandra Woods, communications director at Passaic County Tech, did not return a message seeking comment.

Loverdi is survived by his wife Tamara; children Jessica, Jamie, and Jake; mother Charlotte; brother Michael; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be at Gaita Memorial Home in Little Falls Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.. The funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Little Falls.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the James. J. Loverdi Children’s Education Fund, 57 Weaver St., Little Falls, NJ 07424-1047.

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