By RICH FISHER
Contributing Editor
In a brief dedication ceremony, Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, paid homage to a long-time member while upgrading its venerable gymnasium at the same time.
Chuck Giambelluca was a lifelong OLS parishioner who also devoted his life to youth sports in Mercer County. His name will now live on the Our Lady of Sorrows gymnasium. Courtesy photo
On Jan. 28, the Our Lady of Sorrows School administration unveiled its new basketball scoreboard, which is dedicated to Charles “Chuck” Giambelluca. An iconic figure in Mercer County youth sports, Chuck belonged to the parish and attended Mass regularly since moving into the Mercerville section of Hamilton at age 7. He passed away from COVID-19 on Oct. 9, 2020, at age 77.
Giambelluca was a three-letter star athlete at Steinert High, Hamilton; played in the Milwaukee Braves minor league baseball organization; and served as the Broad Street Park Post 313 American Legion baseball manager and general manager for 50 years.
Upon his death, Chuck’s son Michael and several close friends chose to keep his name alive with the Chuck Giambelluca Memorial Golf Outing, held annually the Thursday after Memorial Day. All proceeds from the outing go toward scholarships and worthy foundations.
When OLS athletic director Joe Scharibone asked board member Tom Dolan for tips on how to raise money for a modern-day scoreboard, Dolan consulted the board, which decided that donating a new one in Giambelluca’s memory was a no-brainer.
“We wanted to give him recognition,” Mike Giambelluca said. “You don’t have what he did anymore, to volunteer as a coach or be involved with youth for 50 years and not get paid. We thought it was another good way to recognize him, especially since he went to the church faithfully as a parishioner for so long with my mom (Geri).”
Dolan, a close friend of Giambelluca’s, added that, “He was a parishioner, plus you take everything he’s done for kid’s sports – it was the perfect fit.”
The scoreboard is at the far end of the gym and is seen immediately upon walking through the door. Beneath it is a blue and white plaque proclaiming, “In Memory of OLS Parishioner Charles “Chuck” Giambelluca.” It not only honors a local legend’s memory, but it also provides a much-needed facelift to the school gym.
The Chuck Giambelluca Memorial Golf Outing committee gave a reason to smile to Our Lady of Sorrows athletic director Joe Scharibone and OLS principal Maureen Tuohy when they dedicated the new gymnasium scoreboard Jan. 28. Photo by Rich Fisher
“This is a huge gift,” principal Maureen Tuohy said prior to the ceremony. “As a small Catholic school we’re not necessarily able to purchase something like this and to have someone that generous donate it to us – and thanks to Mr. Scharibone for organizing it – it means the world.
“It refreshes the gym and the kids love it,” she continued. “They noticed it right away and they’re amazed by how bright and big and updated it is. It’s an honor to have Mr. Giambelluca’s name in our gym.”
It became Scharibone’s mission to improve the facility. His children are third-generation Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony parishioners. His daughter Lena, now a sophomore at Notre Dame, Lawrenceville, played CYO for OLS for six years. His youngest daughter, Olivia, is in seventh grade at OLS and a standout on its basketball team, while wife Nicole and her family are long-time members.
“We had to do something for the kids,” Scharibone said. “The scoreboard was antiquated, and some of the lights weren’t working. Now when you walk in the gym, it’s not like you’re walking back to 1955. It’s a modern-day scoreboard for the kids; they’ll be able to use it for the next 30 years.”
And they will be reminded of Giambelluca, who was honored by Scharibone in a dedication speech. On hand were board members Mike Giambelluca, Dolan, Jerry Thompson and Tinker Johnson (a former CYO referee), and supporters Doug Moore and Jeff Plunkett, a former St. Anthony’s athlete whose four sons all played basketball for OLS. Township councilman Pat Papero is also a board member.
Asked what his dad would have thought of the honor, Mike Giambelluca said, “He did what he did and didn’t want recognition for it, but I think this would make him happy and proud.”