Bridgewater Community Mourns Loss Of Beloved Dad, Husband, Coach

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bridgewater and sports community is mourning the loss of Mike Schambach, 38, who died on June 14 after a hard fought, yearlong battle with colon cancer.

"The loss of such an extraordinary person: Husband, father, brother, son, friend, teammate and coach so early in his life is an unimaginable tragedy," a gofundme site states.

In three days, the fundraising site has already raised $140,000 for his family. Schambach, was married to the love of his life, Lindsay Cullinan Schambach, and leaves behind two children Cameron, 4, and recently welcomed his second child, Chloe Michelle on May 7.

Born and raised in Bridgewater, Schambach graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School in 1998 where he was an acclaimed athlete in soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse. He helped lead the Panther’s Lacrosse team to its first-ever undefeated season (19-0) and a State Championship Title.

He continued his athletic career at Rutgers University where he played Division I lacrosse as a Scarlet Knight.

"Mike had a way of positively impacting the people around him no matter what the relationship or situation," according to the gofundme site. "He always made you feel like you were the center of his world when speaking with him. People always say that 'it's not about what you do, or what you say, it's how you make people feel.' "

Schambach went on to coach lacrosse as a career at Fairleigh Dickinson University, DeSales and Montclair State through May.

"Mike will live on through the lives of those he forever touched and left here on earth," his obituary stated.

Schambach is survived by his wife, Lindsay Cullinan Schambach, his son Cameron Joseph (4), his daughter Chloe Michael, (1 month), his parents, Charles and Elizabeth, his brothers, Philip J. Schambach and wife Christine, and Christopher Schambach, his sister Mary Schambach Perkins and husband, Quinn Perkins, his nephews and nieces, Quinn Perkins (14), August Perkins, (10), Charlotte Schambach (2), and Henry Schambach (11 months), and in laws, Nancy, Joseph, Heather and Jeffrey Cullinan. Mike was a beloved son, brother, husband, uncle, nephew, cousin, father, coach and dear friend.

Funds raised through the gofundme site will be donated to Mike’s family via The Michael Bruce Fund. To donate click here.

Viewing services will be held at The Immaculate Conception Church located at 35 Mountain Ave., Somerville on Monday, June 18 from 3 to 8 p.m. All are welcome.

The mass of Christian Burial will be offered for family and close friends on Tuesday, June 19 at 10 a.m. at The Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery located at 145 Mount Airy Rd., Basking Ridge.

(Image via Schambach's family)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.