Gerald (Jerry) R. Covello, Jr.
April 19, 1954 – January 6, 2005
January 2006
Dear Friends:
Gerald (Jerry) R. Covello, Jr. had a life-long love and passion for the game of baseball. In the year since Jerry died on January 6, 2005, we have become fully cognizant of the extent to which he left an indelible legacy in the hearts and minds of those he touched – especially young people. To honor his memory and the heart and soul he put into developing community baseball opportunities for young players, his family and the leadership of the Hightstown/East Windsor, New Jersey Youth Baseball League have collaborated to establish the Gerald R. Covello, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Jerry’s love of baseball started at an early age. He played every chance he had – in youth leagues, on community teams and even neighborhood organized games. He studied the game, followed his favorite major league teams and players and grew in knowledge about the strategy of the game and the physical mechanics of hitting, fielding and throwing. In high school, Jerry played on the East Brunswick, NJ High School varsity team and played for two years at Jacksonville University. Although he never progressed as far as his pure desire and dreams would have taken him, no one worked harder or put as much heart and soul into the game as he did.
Despite the fact that his pure athletic talents limited his playing career, Jerry discovered a real talent for coaching, developing and encouraging young players who were beginning to develop a love for the game. Jerry translated his passion for baseball – and his belief in the value of athletics for building character, self respect and discipline in young people’s lives – into founding and leading a number of community baseball leagues and becoming a coach and mentor to hundreds of young people.
The parents and fellow coaches who Jerry worked with over the years knew the character traits Jerry strove to instill in young players – self-belief, the willingness to work hard; the competitive spirit to succeed; the determination and resilience to persist toward personal goals; the discipline to work to overcome weaknesses – and develop and leverage even more compelling strengths – loyalty, teamwork and an unbridled enthusiasm for the game. His motto was “work hard and never, never give up.” He believed that it was not about being the smartest or most talented – it was about “being the best you could possibly be”.
This nonprofit fund has been set up under the auspices of the Hightstown/East Windsor, New Jersey Youth Baseball League. It will be used to benefit the development of youth baseball in the local community and create a mechanism to support and honor young players who exemplify the principles of man who truly loved sharing and passing on his passion for the game. Our aspiration is for the fund to be used to sponsor clinics and special training events, provide financial support for needy youngsters to participate on league teams and award baseball camp scholarships for players who demonstrate that special “heart and soul” approach to the game and their team.
We would be so grateful for your support in helping us with our fundraising efforts for the Gerald R. Covello, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund with a tax-deductible donation to the fund in honor of Jerry.
We are confident that Jerry would be honored and proud to know that, through this fund, his hard work with young athletes and emphasis on the importance of character development will live on as a legacy and testament to his life. We would greatly appreciate your help in making this memorial to him a reality.
Love,
The Covello Family
Gerald R. Covello, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
247 East Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
About the 3rd Annual Covello Memorial Golf Outing