Obituary of Kenneth Nicholas Yarussi

As the dew settled on the grass the morning of August 15th, Kenneth Nicholas Yarussi crested the 18th hole. A glance back with putter in hand, he saw a legacy. Born the only son to Nicholas and Marie Yarussi on March 7, 1940, he spent his early years in Elizabeth, NJ. He moved to Union as a teenager and graduated Union High School in 1958. Ken entered the United States Army in 1963 to serve his country, returning to Union after his honorable discharge to raise his family. Ken spent more than a decade gracing the bleachers of Union High School in support of his three athletic sons. Ken was a man who always packed his charm and that joke that would either make you choke, groan or eye roll. The smile that would cross his face after throwing a one-liner out there is a priceless snapshot for us all to hold onto and cherish. Amazingly, but not surprisingly, sand traps to Ken were never really a challenge. Whenever he would hit one...he gracefully and effortlessly lofted the ball out and kept on playing. Onlookers would be in disbelief, and yet he played on. One might say he was modeling the perfect game. Ken’s years on the green brought him many joys. His wife Filomena shared her love and her family with him. This gave Ken many priceless memories with an expanded family, and even more love and kinship. Ken is survived by Filomena, his three sons, Kenneth and his wife Dana, Nicholas and his wife Mary, Paul and his wife Joselyn, as well as two step-children Rico Nieves and his wife Nihal, and Sicilia Nieves, and Filomena’s mom, Stella Cal- tavuturo, as well as Filomena’s six siblings who considered Ken as another brother. Ken also survived by his eight grandchildren, Meghan, Frankie, Anthony, Katie, James, Aidan, Alexa, and Austin. Pappy, as he was called by many, cherished his family. He loved to talk and walk a great game of golf, and discuss and collect old cars, but family was everything. His heart was big enough for all who wanted to share it with him. Those he loved became his family. So, as he reached the final hole of this perfect 18, it is not surprising that he had assembled quite a following. So Ken, Pappy, as you glance back upon all of us, please know your smile lives in our hearts, your selflessness in our minds and that you really did play this life perfectly. Walk on into the sunlight, club on shoulder, ball in hand, and notable grin on your beautiful face. Until we all meet again. . . Visitation for Pappy will be at Higgins Home for Funerals in Watchung, NJ on Wednesday, August 19 from 4:00-8:00 pm. Funeral service will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 am at Higgins Home for Funerals followed by a gathering in prayer at Hollywood Cemetery in Union, NJ. In lieu of flowers, spend time doing what you love with those you love. This would honor him most.