From stories about his willingness to give his cell phone number to everyone, to an account of a rainbow over Toll Gate High School the morning faculty and students learned he died the night before, the spirit of Principal Stephen Chrabaszcz filled the school Saturday night.

If there was any doubt Chrabaszcz was among them, health teacher Jim Kennedy – who organized the vigil with social art coordinator Shana Willis and served as its master of ceremonies – played recordings of Chrabaszcz’s school announcements. A giant-sized photograph of the beloved principal looked down on the assembly of more than 250 from the enclosed bridge connecting the two sections of the high school.

Warwick learned of Chrabaszcz’s sudden death early Wednesday morning. He died of a heart attack. Only the day before he had been walking the school corridors, checking out lunch at the cafeteria and answering inquires as he always did. Chrabaszcz was 67 years old, and as his friends related was looking forward to the year ahead at the school he loved so much.

In respect to the family and so that students and faculty could attend his funeral yesterday, Toll Gate and the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center were closed Monday. A wake was held Sunday, and like at the vigil the night before, hundreds turned out to express their condolences to Chrabaszcz’s wife Barbara and their children.

Kennedy said Chrabaszcz was not only their principal but their friend, and the “biggest cheerleader for Toll Gate.” He said Chrabaszcz treated students as if they were his own children and took pride in those who occupied the building every day. Kennedy also mentioned, as did other speakers Saturday, that Chrabaszcz gave out his private cell phone number to everyone. Kennedy said Chrabaszcz wanted people to have access to him and to know he would respond to their concerns and questions.

Candice Caluori, assistant principal, concurred with the characterization that he was her “work husband.” The term brought smiles to the extended Chrabaszcz family, who were seated in a semicircle of chairs facing a stage and podium.

Liz Muzzy, the mother of two Toll Gate graduates, said Chrabaszcz loved the students and always treated them fairly. She thanked the Chrabaszcz family “for sharing him with us.”

Nathan Cornell, who graduated in June, called Chrabaszcz “selfless,” adding “he never forgot to encourage me.”

Soccer coach Tim Hayes’ account of how Chrabaszcz put him in a headlock the day they met had people laughing when he mentioned his playful hip checking in the corridor. He recalled Chrabaszcz’s advice “to embrace the time because you’ll never get it back.”

Toll Gate teacher Darlene Netcoh quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson – “a friend is one for whom I may think aloud.” Pausing to wipe away tears, she recalled of their vehement disagreements and then how on the following day, Chrabaszcz had talked to his wife, Barbara, and she agreed with Netcoh. She said Chrabaszcz credited his stubbornness to being Polish, to which she reminded him that she too is of Polish heritage.

As the evening darkened, people lit candles. Chrabaszcz’s secretary Peggy McKeever brought a bouquet of flowers to Barbara. Balloons illuminated with tiny lights from inside were distributed. Willis read the account from Trish Eminger of the Drum Rock Early Education Center of how a rainbow bridged the clouds over the school the morning students and faculty learned of Chrabaszcz’s passing.

An extended moment of silence was held before the Toll Gate Chorus sang “Wind Beneath My Wings” and the balloons were released to rise from between the two sections of the school. In closing, Kennedy said Chrabaszcz left a legacy of compassion and caring.