A former New Jersey football coach whose body was found last week after going missing the day after Christmas has been remembered fondly by members of his community.
Stephen Iannotti was pronounced dead by the Logan Township Police Department on Wednesday, December 31, after authorities discovered his Jeep. He was 72 years old.
“He was one of my favorite teachers in Kingsway Regional High School and an overall awesome guy to know,” one person wrote via Facebook. “I will miss you Mr I. RIP.”
Another shared, “He was indeed a happy caring person that many of us Kingsway classmates looked up to for guidance. So many happy memories came to mind these last few days for me. Good speed Mr I.”
Iannotti formerly taught and coached freshman football at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township, New Jersey, according to The Post-Courier.
“Steve was a joy to work with,” a former coworker wrote via Facebook. “He cared for his students and his fellow teachers. He welcomed In Class Support teachers into his classroom without batting an eye making us feel welcome and treating us as equal partners in the classroom. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace friend .”
Community members shared memories of Iannotti enjoying golfing and staying in shape in recent years.
“God Bless his family and friends. Logan will not be the same. Every time we drove by him jogging, we felt inspired,” one person shared.
Dave Reiners, another former colleague of Iannotti’s, wrote about their 30-plus-year relationship after the news of his death.
“I was to share a classroom with him,” Reiners shared about the start of their friendship. “Not once did he complain that I was in his space. He graciously accepted me, guided me and generally showed me the ropes. Everything I came to be was as a result of Steve Iannotti.”
Reiners added, “When I saw him around town he always had a smile and asked how everything was going. He was a great individual and the world will be a lesser place without him. People always talk about the lives that teachers touch, Steve was [a] teacher who took that tenfold out. Between his guidance in the classroom and his guidance on the athletic fields he touched so many lives.”
After being reported missing by his family, who told police they hadn’t heard from Iannotti since Christmas Day, a Ring surveillance video from a neighbor’s home showed Iannotti leaving his driveway at 12:45 p.m. ET on December 26.
“His cell phone was found on the couch within the residence, and family members indicated that it was common practice for him to leave the house without taking his phone with him,” the Logan Police Department said.
Iannotti’s vehicle did not cross any bridges after leaving his residence and there was no activity on his bank account before his body was found.
Police did not indicate if Iannotti’s body was found inside his Jeep. A cause of death has not been released and the investigation remains ongoing.
“Out of respect for Coach I’s privacy and the privacy of his family, this will be the only update on this unfortunate case and we will not comment further. Thank you for your understanding,” the Logan Police Department said.
When contacted by Us Weekly on Monday, January 5, the department said there were no updates.
