Brother's Painful Tribute To N.J. Man Who Died At College Frat House

Tim Piazza was the kind of man who volunteered for virtually everything. And it was usually stuff that helped others before it helped him.

Perhaps his brother, Mike, summed it up best when describing the 19-year-old college student.

"His sole mission in life was to make other people smile," he said. "The impact he had on people is so astounding."

Tim Piazza's brother took to social media this week to pay tribute to the New Jersey man who died recently at a Penn State fraternity house, remembering him in a touching tribute that reflected the pain felt by friends and family.

Mike Piazza, no relation to the baseball Hall of Famer, said in a Facebook post that he was "utterly devastated" by his loss.

"I will miss you eternally," he said. "My brother was my best friend. If I ever needed to talk or just wanted someone to joke around with, he was there."

Tim Piazza, a Hunterdon Central Regional High School graduate and Lebanon native, was an engineering major in his fourth semester when he died on Saturday, Feb. 4, according to Lisa M. Powers, a Penn State spokeswoman.

Piazza allegedly fell down the basement stairs at about 11 p.m. Thursday at Beta Theta Pi’s fraternity house on Penn State’s campus, according to police. But medical attention didn't arrive until the next morning - 11 hours later - when Piazza was found unconscious and unresponsive, according to police.

Law enforcement officials say they are investigating the matter.

A funeral liturgy will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 390 County Road 523, in Whitehouse Station. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Tim Piazza's obituary from the Kearns Funeral Home said he played football and was also on the spring track team, taking part in shot put, javelin and discus. But to others, he was so much more than an athlete.

Piazza was a Red Devil Ambassador at Hunterdon Central and participated in the school's Teen Prevention Education Program. He volunteered with the Hunterdon Outreach Program to help teach special needs children football, basketball and baseball.

He also took part in the Hopeful Holidays and Readington's Holiday Gifts Program, donating Christmas and holiday gifts to those in need.

Only a sophomore at Penn State, he was on the executive board of AYUDA, a special interest organization benefiting the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON), and he was also a member of THON’s Operations Committee.

Even more important, Tim provided a shoulder to lean on whenever anybody needed it, his brother said.

"When the world was too much, I had one person who I could turn to for anything," Mike Piazza said.

He loved spending his summers at the beach with his family and friends, jet skiing, playing golf and "taking it to the hoop" in friendly pickup basketball games, his obituary said.

"He was smart, funny, friendly and kind," his obituary said. "His time here has been all too brief but his memory will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him."

In addition to his brother Mike, Piazza left behind his parents, James and Evelyn; his paternal grandmother, Joanna Pisano of Bridgewater; his maternal grandmother, Betty Weinert of Cinnaminson; and his girlfriend, Kaitlyn Tempalsky of Flemington, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

"My job for the past 19 years has been to protect my younger brother," said Mike Piazza. "Now, I know he will protect me. I love you Timmy. Rest In peace."

Photo: Kearns Funeral Home in Whitehouse, NJ.