Obituary of Charles 'Chalky" D Ottinger

Charles "Chalky" Ottinger, 66, of Vineland died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 after a four year battle with pancreatic cancer. Chalky graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1967 where he was the starting point guard on the school's South Jersey Championship Basketball team. A 1971 graduate of Mount Saint Mary's University, Chalky earned a BA degree in Psychology and Sociology. Upon graduation from Mount Saint Mary's, Chalky attended Glassboro State College where he earned an MA in Secondary School Administration. A lifelong educator, Chalky began his expansive career in 1971 as a Special Education teacher in the Vineland Public School System. He eventually moved on to teach Special Education at the Atlantic County Vocational School and the Harborfields Rehabilitation Center. After teaching Special Education for several years, Chalky became Director of Special Education at the Vocational School. He later moved on to serve as Assistant Principal of the Arthur Rann Middle School in Galloway Township before returning to the Vineland School District as Athletic Director and eventually Principal of Vineland High School South. He served as Principal of Vineland High School South for twelve years before becoming Superintendent of the Vineland Public School District. Chalky ended his professional career by serving as the Interim Head of School at Sacred Heart High School during its final year. His heartfelt attempt to save the school won him admiration and praise throughout the community. For his services to the community and education, Chalky won numerous honors and awards including the Grapevine Hometown Heroes Award, Gregor Mendel Award, Vineland School District Administrator of the Year Award, William Milam Award for Community Leadership, the South Jersey Chapter of the National Football Foundation Distinguished American Service Award, and the John Pierantozzi Lifetime Achievement Award for the South Jersey Basketball Community. He was a former member of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Executive Committee, the George Luciano Government Leadership Council at Cumberland County College, Cumberland County Guidance Center Board of Directors, St. Augustine Preparatory School Board of Directors, Vineland Blitz Football Board of Directors, St. Mary's School Board, and the Italian American Benevolent Association. Friends who knew Chalky knew that he had a life-long love affair with basketball. During the 1980's Chalky interrupted his public school career to teach Social Studies and coach basketball at St. Joseph High School in Hammonton, New Jersey. He coached St. Joseph to the 1987 Cape Atlantic League and South Jersey Championships and was named Atlantic County and South Jersey Coach of the Year for his achievements. He was also inducted into the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame. Chalky always said that coaching and teaching at St. Joseph was the defining moment of his life and he credited his experiences there as the most enjoyable and fulfilling of his extensive career. Throughout his life he continued to enjoy attending high school basketball games with his friends. An avid golfer, Chalky loved the days he spent on courses in the South Jersey area with his close friends and associates. Chalky will be remembered for his love of children, basketball and golf and for the kindness, compassion and consideration he always showed for others. Chalky was predeceased by his father Charles "Chalky", his mother Theresa (Spinelli) and his nephew Mark McGinly. He is survived by his beloved wife Karen, who he always said was the joy of his life. He is also survived by his sisters Patricia McGinly (Bill) of Vienna, VA, Christine Schneider (Bill) and Frances Ottinger Friedman and his former brother-in-law Bill Friedman. Chalky is also survived by his sister-in-law Sharon Scaltrito (Louis Granato) of Hammonton and nephews Sean McGinly, Andrew McGinly, Michael Schneider, Scott Schneider and his niece, Gabrielle Friedman A Church Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9am to 12pm followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:15pm from Christ The Good Shepherd Parish - Church Of Sacred Heart, 1010 East Landis Avenue, Vineland. Entombment will be private in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 At the family's request in Lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Chalky may be made to: Youth Alliance of South Jersey, P.O. Box 534, Vineland, NJ 08362 .Daughters of Mercy, 1001 Main Rd, Newfield, NJ 08344 Holy Redeemer Hospice, 160 E. 9th Avenue, Suite B, P.O. Box 250, Runnemede, NJ 08078 Project Graduation, 3010 E. Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08361 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com