Mike DiMauro: Jessucks' inner strength a 'Chip' off the old block

Waterford — They were 14 when it happened. There was no manual to study, no textbook for guidance. At 14, Charlotte and Paige Jessuck, Waterford High’s version of the Wonder Twins, learned the hard way the old line about how grief is the price we pay for love. And through their dad’s death, they’ve uncovered a new respect for life.

It will be five years next month that Anthony William “Chip” Jessuck, Waterford’s Everyman, succumbed — physically, anyway — to cancer at age 52. But oh, how proud he must be looking down at what has become of children John, Anna, Anthony, Charlotte and Paige, who have all done their dad proud just by being who they are.

Charlotte and Paige are high school seniors now, part of an undefeated girls’ soccer team in Lancer Land, hopeful about hanging a banner inside the X before college takes Charlotte to the University of New England and Paige to Salve Regina.

And yet no matter where life takes the constant companions, the twins have a triplet with them: dad.

This was last week when they were interviewed separately about their journey. Here is what they said about their dad:

Paige: “I carry my dad wherever I go, no matter what I'm doing. Whenever I step on the field, he’s with me. My cleats last year had his name on them. Every time I looked at them, it just gave me a reason. A reason why I was playing the sport, a reason in school. Whatever I'm doing, something reminds me of him.”

Charlotte: “I carry with me every day, something that I'll think about and each day. It's definitely something that I take with me whenever I go. My dad had such a big impact on me. He was so positive, even throughout everything that was happening. And I try to be as positive as I can, one day at a time and not take anything for granted. He never took anything for granted. He lived every day to the fullest he could, even when everything was so hard.”

There is no greater tribute to Chip Jessuck than to suggest he’s been a better parent in death than many are in life. And speaking of parenting, there is the matter of mom, Christina Jessuck, a woman who has proven tougher than Clorox. Once again, the twins:

Paige: “My mom is the strongest person I know. I don't know how she does it. She balances her kids, her career, her social life. It gives me such a role model to look up to and know that's how I want to be when I grow up.”

Charlotte: “My mom is the strongest person I know. I can't even explain how much she's gone through. And yet she’s been someone I can talk to about anything and lean on about school, sports, about everything.”

Chip Jessuck’s portrayal as the town’s Everyman comes without a hint of hyperbole. He served on the Board of Finance for seven years. Liaison to the Waterford Police Department. Rotarian. Sponsor of the Eastern Connecticut School of Ballet and the Great Neck Elementary School’s Great Strides Road Race. Participated in two Tour de Force 200-mile charity bicycle rides to honor the victims of 9/11, raising funds for the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Volunteer for Waterford Little League for more than 13 years, where he coached and was treasurer. Coached Waterford Youth Football and Waterford Recreational Girls’ Basketball.

You may imagine how Jessuck’s death impacted all the souls he encountered through his life. Now imagine the impact on his own family. Turns out that while losing their dad at 52 is unspeakable, Charlotte and Paige Jessuck haven’t merely endured, but prevailed. One moment at a time.

“How do I put this into words?” said Waterford coach Chris Ghiglia, who first encountered the twins as their sixth grade math teacher. “Even then, they were always concerned with others. When we would do a math problem, they would want to help their classmates understand. They’ve been the heart and soul of this program for all four years. Now they are two of the three captains.

“It was such a difficult time for them when Chip died, for the whole team, too. The whole team kind of felt what was going on. So I wouldn't say we treated them differently, but just always with the mindset that, you know, we knew they were going through a hard time, but they never showed it. As they're going through it all, their heart and soul was being with this team. And I think it helped too with the grieving process, these kids as a family.”

The Jessucks have been blessed with many families through their sports careers. But there’s been no family greater or stronger than their own. Charlotte and Paige are off to college next year. But they sure won’t be alone. Mom is a text away. And dad? There always.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro