In Memoriam

The UDFSC community will always remember the members that we lost during this horrible incident. Angela, Sean, and Sasha were talented, amazing, incredibly special people, and brought so much life and light into our rink and our club. We are endlessly glad they chose our club and our community to be a part of, and we will always hold them in our hearts.

Angela Yang and Sean Kay

Sean and Angela were rising stars in our club. Whether solo or paired together, Sean and Angela’s amazing work ethic and attitudes helped them find success in every avenue. They could often be seen laughing together while practicing or in lessons. It was very clear how much they loved to skate, and how happy they were in their partnership. They brought joy to everyone around them and watching them skate was a gift.

Angela was inspired to skate watching her sister and brother play hockey. She began by playing hockey but then discovered her passion for ice dance. When she wasn’t on the ice, Angela liked to do digital art on her iPad and she enjoyed painting. She also loved to travel and play video games. She was incredibly kind and respectful to everyone on and off the ice.

Sean started skating after his sister began and was a natural on the ice. He dreamed of someday being on the Olympic team. Off the ice, Sean had a passion for roller coasters and guitars. He loved to play metal music in the rink any chance he got. He was incredibly bright, energetic, and intelligent.

Our condolences to Sean and Angela’s families. They will be sorely missed.

Sasha Kirsanov

Alexandr Kirsanov will always be remembered as “our beloved UDFSC Coach, Sasha” although he traveled and coached at other rinks locally and around the country. Sasha made Newark, and UDFSC, his home after retiring from a competitive ice dance career. He skated with several partners and represented Azerbaijan, Russia, and finally with Christie Moxley-Hutson in 2003-2004, representing UDFSC, the USA.

Sasha coached all ages- from young kids to college students to adults. He had the highest of standards, and the skaters he coached were always well prepared for competition or testing, from high performance national skaters to those aspiring to learn new skills.

Sasha was genuine. He cared about his students and put his whole being into his teaching. He looked after “his kids” like they were his own. We all have memories of Sasha’s booming voice coming across the ice, while clapping time for his skaters on pattern dances. He was a stickler
for good form and being on time to the music. He expected the best from his skaters, and he always got it!

Sasha conveyed his powerful passion to his skaters. Those that he coached over his lifetime felt their lives were changed in knowing him. Sasha will be missed terribly by our club, our skaters, our coaches and families, and others throughout the skating community who benefitted from knowing him. We can see Sasha standing ready to step on the ice at the rink door or joking with his students or the coaches near the music box. Sasha was loved and respected by many.

Our condolences to his wife, Natalya Gudin and his daughter, Nicole.