West Orange Remembers Late Golf Fan At ‘Tee Off for CJ’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

In the life of a family, there is no greater sadness or loss than when a beloved member passes away. Such is the case of the Waldrons, a long-time West Orange family loved by the community and active in many organizations.

CJ Waldron was 30-years-old when he passed away on July 27, 2021 in a car accident. He, along with his sister Paige and brother Jake, were proud graduates of the West Orange school district, and his mother Kathie is a special needs teacher at Kelly Elementary School. After graduating from West Orange High School in 2009, he attended Penn State University and had a successful career in pharmaceutical sales.

Waldron loved to golf and hit the course with his Dad, brother, and best friends whenever he had the chance. With this in mind, his family created the CJ Waldron Memorial Foundation and the First Annual Tee Off for CJ, a golf event that would raise money for the West Orange Police Athletic League and THON, Penn State University's Dance Marathon which raises funds and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer. It is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Both CJ and Jake participated in and donated to THON during their time at Penn State. The sole beneficiary is Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children's Hospital.

As spokesperson for the Waldron family and an organizer of the event, Paige Waldron explained, “CJ, myself and our younger brother Jake went through the PAL program for football, baseball and cheerleading. Our family spent Sundays during the football season growing up with WOPAL. We also met many of our best friends, who remain close to this day, and I believe that shows how great a community West Orange is.”

The sold-out event was held on Sept. 29 at Rock Spring Golf Course in West Orange and featured lunch, raffles, and auction, tricky tray, and memorabilia. Family and friends came from across the area to honor and remember CJ, whose family described his “infectious smile, a ridiculous laugh, great dance moves and a kind heart,” as the best way to remember him.

WOPAL, which recently received $500,000 in state funding towards the two-million-dollar renovation of their field in West Orange, will receive $18,000 from the CJ Waldron Memorial Foundation, as will THON.

Anthony Casalino, who also helped to organize the event, was CJ’s best friend.

“All of CJ’s friends felt his presence for the entire day- on the golf course, during lunch and through the just over 50 raffle items that were auctioned off. CJ would have loved the outing. CJ would have been proud,” he said.

“The First Annual Tee Off 4 CJ Memorial Golf Outing exceeded any of the Waldron Family's expectations,” continued Waldron.

“The West Orange community came together and showed an amazing amount of support throughout the planning process until the sun went down on the day of the outing. The TeeOff4CJ committee would like to thank all of the golfers, our volunteers, our sponsors, the team at Rock Spring Golf Club for making the course as beautiful as it could be, and Kellyann Alvarado and team for making breakfast and lunch seamless at The Rock 1925. We cannot be more thankful to our friends, family, and all of those who donated their time and efforts to making our first outing a success.”

“CJ is so deeply missed by his family and friends,” she went on to say.

“CJ might not have been at the outing physically, but his name was on every banner, the love from his friends and family was present, and we know we got his seal of approval - especially from the gorgeous sunset that showed up that night,” she added.

“We are so proud to be donating the proceeds of TeeOff4CJ to Penn State's THON and West Orange PAL. We look forward to seeing everyone next year. Until then...keep smiling!” Waldron concluded.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE CJ WALDRON MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING HERE.

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