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Bethel Park celebrates life of beloved teacher

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 10 min read
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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanc

Rich Casagranda looks skyward as he thinks of his best friend, Jon Gentile, and their times together, which included many Phish rock concerts. Casagranda holds up a cap from the group that he gave to Gentile’s 9-year-old son Giancarlo during a recent Celebration of Life event held July 23 at Bethel Park High School.

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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Kathy Gentile helps her son, Giancarlo, put on a Phish cap. The hat is significant because her husband was a fan of the band and wore an identical cap until it was recently lost shortly after he died in a kayaking accident on May 24.

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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Bethel Park physical education teacher Adam Triscilla folds T-shirts that are being sold as a fundraiser for the Gentile family. On the front of the shirts is the Phish logo with the Gentile name. The words Live Adventurously like Mr. G and an image of Jonathan David Gentile are emblazoned on the back. Proceeds go to a GoFundMe project as well as a scholarship being established in the former social studies teacher’s memory.

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Jon Gentile

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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Private Property performed during a reception after the Celebration of Life event in memory of Bethel Park High School teacher Jon Gentile. The band is comprised of high school students, from left: Sean Burns, Penelope Pandolfo, Braedon Lloyd, Max Smith and Colin Klink.

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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Giancarlo Gentile jams to the music of Phish as his mother, Kathy, encourages those in attendance to sing along during a recent Celebration of Life event in honor of her husband, Jon.

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Justin Gentile winds up and throws a ball during a dodge ball game in honor of his brother, Jon, who died in a kayaking accident on May 24.

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Bethel Park students dressed in plaid were among those attending a celebration of life event for high school teacher Jon Gentile, who died May 24 in a kayaking accident.

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Jon Gentile and his wife, Kathy

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Jon Gentile and his son, Giancarlo, pose with a fish they caught during one of their outdoor adventures.

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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Giancarlo Gentile points the way as his mother, Kathy, encourages those in attendance to sing along during a recent Celebration of Life event in honor of her husband, Jon.

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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Giancarlo Gentile and his mother, Kathy, sing a Phish tune during a recent Celebration of Life event in honor of her husband, Jon.

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Giancarlo Gentile jams to the music of Phish as his mother, Kathy, encourages those in attendance to sing along during a recent Celebration of Life event in honor of her husband, Jon.

Few if any tears were shed July 23 during a Celebration of Life event for Johnathan David Gentile. The 38-year-old Bethel Park High School social studies teacher, who died while kayaking on May 24, would have wanted it that way.

“Jon was a joyous guy and he would want us to be happy,” said Rich Casagranda. “This is the way he would have wanted us to celebrate his life because he was so energetic and enthusiastic. He had a way of putting that out to the universe as well.”

Casagranda’s and Gentile’s worlds involved more than education. Casagranda and his wife, Chelsea, are English teachers at BPHS while Gentile and his wife, Kathy, served as history instructors.

Gentile served as best man in Casagranda’s wedding. They were neighbors for more than a decade until each moved; the Gentile family to Mt. Lebanon; the Casagranda clan to South Fayette.

“We were great friends. Spent time in each other homes and ate out in restaurants together,” Casagranda said.

Casagranda and Gentile also traveled the country attending concerts, particularly those put on by the rock band, Phish.

“I considered Jon one of the best friends that I have had in my life,” Casagranda said. “We were colleagues, but live music brought us together. That was our biggest bond.”

When Casagranda delivered remarks during the celebration event held in the high school gymnasium, he spoke of the pair’s first concert together in 2010. Casagranda bought Gentile a commemorative Phish cap that became his “uniform” until it had gone missing recently.

“That hat was part of him,” Casagranda said. “So how do you replace it, a limited edition?”

Casagranda reached out to the Phish world, and Guy Ottaviano from Burlington, Vt., the home of the rock group, sent the exact hat in time for the celebration. Casagranda placed it on the head of a delighted Giancarlo, the 9-year-old son of Gentile.

“I hope it brings you joy,” Casagranda said. “Whether you wear it or display it, I hope it reminds you of the many communities that loved Jon.”

ORBIT OF INFLUENCECasagranda, like many of the guest speakers, emphasized how Gentile had a “big orbit of influence,” and the gathering was an “awesome” way for the community to celebrate Gentile, who championed everybody.

Gentile was many things to many people. He was a son to Deborah and James. Deborah praised her son as a “beacon” of good character for the community and school district.

“He had a big heart and was a focused listener who left a mark on those he met and left a legacy for those he didn’t,” she said.

If Mr. G, as he was known affectionately by his students, has a message for those he left behind, then it would be make a difference.

“Love others well,” she said. “Always remember, your heart knows the things that your eyes cannot see. Hearts matter,” she stressed. “There is a high school called Bethel Park where the character of your heart rules and kindness is cool. Be a G. Live the best life just as he did.”

Gentile was a brother to Justin and Jared. He also was a nephew, a grandson and a cousin.

Because he is a digital marketer by trade, Justin has been able to work remotely, enabling him to stay in the South Hills to help the Gentile family. He said the loss of his brother was great and he cannot fill his shoes, but his being here helps him with his grief as well as the family with theirs.

“We can cry together rather than alone,” Justin said.

He added what he missed most about Jon was his ability to cut the tense moments with joy and happiness.

“He was a serious guy when he needed to be, but a lot of times we get hung up in conversations and debates, whether it’s politics or religion, and people start to separate and wedges get planted among family members and friends. Jon was good at removing the wedge. That is huge not only for high school kids to see but also adults. Jon was able to keep people together. He was the glue.”

SCHOOL OF LOVEGentile was a husband to Kathy and father to Giancarlo.

Jon and Kathy Gentile met when he was a student teacher in her classroom 17 years ago. Shortly after, they fell in love and married. For 11 years, they drove to work to and from work, where their rooms were located right across the hallway.

“The thing I miss most is my best friend,” Kathy said.

“Even though I am a veteran teacher, I have learned a lot from him. It’s hard not to mirror a lot of things he did not just as a teacher but as a human being. He’s a rock star.”

Certainly in his son’s eyes Gentile is bigger than Trey Anastasio. Giancarlo savored the celebration. He joined eagerly in singing the refrain of the Phish anthem ‘Joy” and in playing dodge ball. The game, which his father organized annually between students and faculty, was one of the highlights in the 50-minute program that also showcased Gentile’s zest for family, fishing and friends through slide show, video presentations and remarks from special guests.

“I love it,” Giancarlo said before dancing up a storm during a reception held in the cafeteria. “It was a nice event to celebrate my dad. I was happy to see all the people that love him and the joy they had for him and his friends and all his family. I loved all this generosity and joy.”

Joy and curiosity are two traits Giancarlo said he admired about his father. He said his father was always thrilled about what he did and he liked most everything he did.

“I miss playing with him and hanging out with him, especially fishing.”

Gentile was an outdoorsman, not to mention an adventure enthusiast. In addition to fishing, he enjoyed float trips and traveling to Tionesta. He also played and coached soccer. Ironically, he died while kayaking the Delaware River with his father in Bucks County. His boat was overturned by rapids. Gentile remained under water for several minutes before he resurfaced. Though his father performed CPR and emergency personnel transferred him to the hospital, Gentile died.

“We never anticipated or expected losing Jon as early as we did,” said BPHS principal Joseph Villani. “He was a tremendous teacher and even more amazing person.

“He was a special individual. Smart, thoughtful, caring and always in the moment,” continued Villani. “He was loyal, connected with people and he loved his students. He had a profound impact on them.”

Gentile made a difference in the life of Max Smith. A 2022 BPHS graduate, he will attend Westminster College in the fall. Smith plans to major in secondary education. He wants to become an English teacher.

“Mr. Gentile was one of the foundational people and influential teachers that I had,” Smith said.

Gentile’s humility and empathy appealed to Smith.

“He focused on you when he talked to you. You could tell he was interested in you. To me, it’s easy to think that’s just a him thing. He’s a great person and he can only be Mr. Gentile, but I think that is something that anybody can learn. I would like be like him. He was kind to people. He was just awesome.”

Casagranda added Gentile was all that and more. In addition to enthusiasm and energy, intelligence and a welcoming attitude made him special.

“In this industry, people like it when you know what you are talking about and he certainly did,” Casagranda said. “He was able to convey that in a way that was accessible to many. That is the truest mark of a teacher. To be able to reach everybody by the words that you choose and the actions that you demonstrate were the things he did best and we all try to do.

“I know this next school year I am going to try and carry the torch the best I can. Continue to bring the kind of energy to my classes that he brought. I have tried to do that but I certainly will be invigorated to do that.”

The celebration provided a spark for James Fodse. The BPHS assistant principal was moved.

“It’s awesome. It’s all Jon would have wanted,” he said of the gathering.

“Jon was an awesome guy. He went above and beyond. It wasn’t just in the classroom. It wasn’t just academics. It was about being there for the kids. He inspired a lot of them and you can see the future here. He was a good guy. Positive for all of us and he taught us to have fun in life.”

Jonathan David Gentile epitomized generosity.

“He was a giver,” said his brother, Justin. “He gave his time, his love. A lot of things. If he had a million dollars, he would give it.”

In his death, Gentile is still giving. His family, friends and Bethel Park High School have launched a scholarship in his name.

“To continue his legacy now that he is not here. It makes sense,” said Justin. “(Jon) always wanted to engage.”

The annual scholarship will be given to a senior to further the education of the student. Applications will be posted on Gentile’s personal Facebook page as well as the various Bethel Park School District’s social media platforms.

Nominations can be made by fellow students, faculty or citizens. Applications must be accompanied by an essay.

“The student body and staff can submit the name of the student that displayed the biggest heart,” Justin said. “Not the one with the most brains. Not the one that was a football or soccer star. But the one that showed kindness and empathy for others.”

“We want it to go to the student that might not be at the top of the academic scale or has the greatest athletic ability because there are so many more qualities to be recognized in students,” said Gentile’s wife, Kathy.

“We have amazing students here. Some of them sadly do not get recognized for just being good, decent human beings.”

Kathy said that she is proud to be part of the scholarship process. As a member of the Bethel Park High School faculty, she will part of a panel on the selection committee.

All students are eligible, including those who choose not to become teachers and those who endeavor to learn a trade through their schooling.

“There are two kinds of people in the world. Givers and takers,” said Justin. “Jon was a giver, and the one way that we can have his legacy live on is by this scholarship fund.

“Jon poured himself into this community for so many years. So we can do this in a small way with this scholarship. That we can get the next student from Bethel High on to their next endeavor, easier than without it.”

The outpouring of love through a Celebration of Life event held July 23 in the high school gym as well as an established GoFundMe campaign that has so far raised over $132,000 for the family has taken the breath away from Kathy as well as her mother-in-law, Deborah.

“It has been fantastic. Overwhelming,” said Kathy. “My heart is overflowing with a gratitude with this community. It is amazing how much (Jon) is loved. He would be pleased.”

“Thank you for the incredible support and honoring our son,” said Deborah. “Our family has had a front row seat to witness the character of the Bethel Park community and school district. The students, teachers, administrators, business owners and residents have given generously. There is a lot of heart in this school and community.”

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