John Robert Halasz of Rye, N.Y., a soccer standout in his youth and, later, a successful businessman, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Dawn, and children Joe, Julie, and Jim, on April 13, 2024. He was 55.
Born in Pompton Plains, N.J. on February 28, 1969, he was the son of Andrew and Edith (Megay) Halasz. The family moved to Crystal Lake, Ill., where he attended high school and played soccer and ice hockey.
He went on to the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University, where he set records as the goalkeeper on the Division I Men’s Soccer team and was involved in student government. It was on the college campus, in front of Richard’s Hall, that John met his future wife, Dawn Sciascia, “and the rest is history.”
After college, Mr. Halasz’ dedication to soccer did not wane. He played on the Professional Men’s Soccer Team of The San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. He looked forward to attending the annual Northeastern alumni soccer game with his former teammates.
Following his soccer career, he then studied for and completed qualification exams to obtain finance-industry licensing from the FINRA Series.
He was the owner of Bricks & Timber and JR Halasz Capital Advisors, the CEO at US Home Aggregation, and part of other financial firms.
Outside of family and professional work, soccer remained his passion. He reserved every Saturday afternoon for nurturing young talent as Director of Westchester Flames Soccer Club, and as a Coach and Age Group Coordinator for Rye Youth Soccer. Under his coaching, many young Rye soccer players not only improved their skills, but learned the importance of teamwork, responsibility, sharing, discipline, and reliability. Every Sunday morning, he played for the Men’s Soccer Sunday Stars, and, in his free time, he cheered on Aston Villa FC and FC Bayern Munich.
John Halasz will be remembered for his desire to help others, whether they were family, friends, or neighbors. He attended his children’s every practice, game, and performance.
He excelled at every endeavor, including woodworking (he made a desk for each of his children), barbecuing, Sunday pancake breakfasts, gardening, golf, skiing, and performing (“The Hat I Got for Christmas Is Too Beeg” was a family favorite). Topping the list of memories for his children are all the “secret” trips they made to Carvel while their mother was at a dance studio in Larchmont.
John Halasz’ legacy of devotion to family, children, and sports- manship will live on. The man who had 7,541 contacts saved in his phone, will be remembered for cheerfully saying, “Things always work out.” Yes, he was funny too.
In addition to his wife and children, Mr. Halasz is survived by his father and his brothers, Andrew and Peter.
A wake was held at Graham Funeral Home on April 20.
Donations in John Halasz’ memory can be made to Rye Youth Soccer.
