On August 20, 2020, Jason Stein, J.P. Taravella Athletics Director, passed away due to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 46.
Taravella Principal Mary DeArmas, posting on the school’s website, wrote that “JP Taravella High School will never be the same. We have lost a teacher, a mentor, a coach, an athletic director, a colleague…the list goes on. These titles do not do justice to Jason Stein.”
Principal DeArmas described Coach Stein as “a true brother, a confidant, and an irreplaceable friend…. Coach Stein was a perfect example of being one of the leaders of our JPT family. He never met a stranger, he was as REAL as anyone could be and most people quickly picked up that he was all HEART.”
Described by the Miami Herald as “widely seen as a father figure and mentor to many at the school,” Stein was hospitalized for several weeks due to the virus. His health had seemingly improved when he suddenly took a turn for the worse.
Larger Than Life with a Heart to Match
Colleagues, former students, parents and other community members expressed their condolences on Principal DeArmas’s Twitter timeline, calling him “good person [who] helped a lot of coaches get their start in FL high school baseball;” Tamarac Elementary School posted that “The lives of many students were enriched by his efforts and guidance.” One former student commented, “That man was a part of my life in high school, he changed a lot of kids including me at the time, God taking care of him up there.” South Plantation High Principal Christy Henschel tweeted “Jason was larger than life with a heart to match. A legend that will be deeply missed.”
Born in New York City on May 21, 1974, Jason leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Michele, an Assistant Principal at Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs, and his daughters Ilana, 20 and Hailey, 15.
Memorial Services and a Celebration of Life were held on August 26.
The family has created the Jason Stein Memorial Fund; to donate, visit https://gf.me/u/ys2p9q.
