Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/22/16
The South Jersey lacrosse community is mourning the loss of Delran lacrosse and swim coach Robert Francis Cristella, who passed away on Oct. 8. He was 50 years old.
A Delran, NJ native, Mr. Cristella was an icon in the South Jersey athletic community. He graduated from Limestone College in Gaffney, SC after serving as the team’s inaugural lacrosse captain. He created champion swimmers as coach of Pomona and Riverdel Swim Clubs, Jersey Wahoos, and Holy Cross and Delran High Schools. He pioneered lacrosse programs throughout South Jersey first at Moorestown High and also at Moorestown Friends and in 2013 began the men’s lacrosse team at Delran High School, his alma mater.
Mr. Cristell posted a 40-32 record in four years at Delran and led his team to a 14-5 mark in 2016 when it qualified for the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 1 Tournament.
Mr. Cristella is survived by his wife Judy (McGonigle) and beloved children, Caitlyn, Bobby, Carly and Riley; his parents, Charles and Nancy Cristella; brother Charles Cristella (Tammy); uncle and aunt, Tim and Peggy Walling; cousin, Tim Walling; parents-in-law, John and Eileen McGonigle, sisters-in-law Kim and Kristin McGonigle; brother-in-law John McGonigle (Tara); nephews Chase and Carson Cristella and Jacob McGonigle; nieces Caroline Cristella and Madison McGonigle; loving friends and countless athletes who called him their coach, mentor and friend.
Services were held at Sacred Heart Church, 103 4th St, Riverton, NJ 08077. A Funeral Mass was at Interment Lakeview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Cristella Children’s Educational Fund at www.gofundme.com/2tj49f99
would be appreciated.