A construction worker who died last week after being trapped in a large hole in Union County has been identified as a 29-year-old Union County resident who previously wrestled for Rutgers University.
Corey Greg Stasenko, of Cranford, died May 6 while attempting to install a storm drain while using an excavator in the rear of the business on Monroe Avenue in Kenilworth, authorities said.
First responders attempted life-saving measures, but Stasenko was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Stasenko was born in Summit and later lived in South Plainfield, according to his obituary. In 2022, he bought a home in Cranford and became a “proud homeowner,” the obituary said.
After graduating from South Plainfield High School in 2013, Stasenko studied human resources at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.
While at Rutgers, Stasenko wrestled for the Scarlet Knights’ program from 2013 to 2014 at 149 pounds, the school said.
While in high school, he was a four-time district and county champion in South Plainfield, according to a notice mourning his loss from Rutgers.
He also was a three-time NJSIAA qualifier and regional champion for the South Plainfield Tigers, Rutgers officials said.
He studied plumbing in a Middlesex County Magnet Schools program in Piscataway, his obituary said. He finished school in 2023 and became a licensed plumber.
“A hard worker, he was dedicated to his career,” his obituary said. “Through the years, he worked as a landscaper for Giordano Landscaping, before starting his own company, Stasenko Landscaping & Hardscaping.”
Stasenko also enjoyed skateboarding, snowboarding, golfing and other activities. He was most recently working for K&D Contractors in Kenilworth, his obituary said.
On Tuesday, Joanna Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said the agency is investigating Stasenko’s death. K&D Contractors has no prior history of OSHA violations, she said.
Officials with K&D Contractors did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
Stories by Brianna Kudisch
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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.