Chuck Grassano, a wrestling coach for Sun Valley whose reputation went beyond wrestling to include service to the Aston community, died Nov. 23 at the age of 73, writes Bob Grotz for the Daily Times.

“It’s not just a loss for wrestling or a loss for Sun Valley,” said current Sun Valley wrestling coach Tom Ellis. “It’s a loss for the community.

Grassano was involved in the Lions Club, was summer manager for the Knowlton Swim Club, and served as an umpire.

“After he retired from coaching, he became a grief counselor at a funeral home. He was kind of like the mayor of Aston,” Ellis said.

Grassano was joined in the wrestling field by his wife Mary Ann and daughter Kendra, who was manager and scorekeeper of the Sun Valley wrestling program for four years.

Under Chuck Grassano’s guidance, the Sun Valley Vanguards had a 321-121-6 record from 1972-2000. They were undefeated in 1975 and 1985.

Grassano was inducted into four local halls of fame:  SEPA Wrestling; PA Wrestling Coaches, Delaware County Athletes, and Aston Sports.

He was honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in April of 2019.

Read more about the life of Chuck Grassano at the Daily Times.

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