01.05.2005, 11:51
Zitat:Wrestler remembered as man who loved life
Shore resident Christopher B. Candito, 33, died Thursday in hospital
Published in the Asbury Park Press 04/30/05
By CAROL GORGA WILLIAMS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU
MATAWAN — Christopher B. Candito, a well-known professional wrestler and longtime Shore resident who died Thursday from what his brother called complications from surgery, was remembered Friday as a man who loved life and loved wrestling more.
Candito, who wrestled under the name Chris Candido, died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, and had earned many wrestling accolades over his life, including the National Wrestling Alliance World Title.
Born in Edison, Candito, 33, had lived in Spring Lake until moving to Matawan 10 years ago. He attended H.W. Mountz Grammar School in Spring Lake, Red Bank Catholic High School and the University of Tennessee.
He had been wrestling competitively since he was 14, according to information provided by the funeral home handling arrangements for his memorial.
Candito is survived by his wife, Tamara Sytch, his parents, two sisters and a brother, Jonathan, who also wrestles professionally.
According to an e-mail posted on USAProWrestling.net, his "best friend, brother and soul mate" died from a blood clot brought on by complications from surgery.
"I just want to tell everyone that in their sorrow, find a way to be happy that he went out the way he wanted to. . .on top of the world — blond, tan and loving life up until the last minute . . . Chris went out a happy man and will forever live on as the. . . greatest of all time. He would have had it no other way."
Candito's funeral is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Catharine's Roman Catholic Church, Spring Lake. The wake will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the O'Brien Funeral Home, Route 35 at New Belford Road, Wall. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Christopher B. Candito Foundation, in care of the Bank of New York, 1310 3rd Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762. The donations will go toward establishing a scholarship to benefit a student at the H.W. Mountz Grammar School.
Joe Panzarino, promoter for the independent wrestling organization, National Wrestling Superstars, which is based in Hazlet and Stafford townships, said Candito would receive a 10-bell salute Friday at a match in Middletown. Participants also would wear black arm bands.
An event Saturday in South Toms River will be renamed in honor of Candito.
"As long as I'm promoting it, I'm going to try to keep his memory alive," Panzarino said. Candito was "probably the most consummate professional in the independent wrestling circuit over the last two years." Panzarino said Candito's death "is a tragic loss to the industry."
Candito was supposed to be at the Middletown event Friday to watch his brother perform, Panzarino said.
"We're all at a loss for words," he said. "The industry has lost an absolute gem. He will be very, very dearly missed on every aspect of professional wrestling."
Candito's attendance at his brother's match was typical of him, Panzarino said. He always had time to explain nuances or impart advice to other wrestlers.
"He was a great teacher," Panzarino said.
Panzarino also said Candito was a natural wrestler.
"There are people who are natural actors, natural comedians. He made it look easy," he said. "I think Chris loved performing for the fans. Chris has a twinkle in his eye. He had a way of relating to fans. He loved every aspect of it. He loved making people smile."
Candito was so versatile that he could play the hero as well as the heel in the ring, though he leaned toward the heel in his ever-changing, on-stage persona, Panzarino said.
"He was a heel but he was not a terrible heel," Panzarino said. "He was a heel you could love."
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...004/NEWS01