MYAL sets breakfast to benefit Oset family

By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
   Though Thomas Oset, of Haran Avenue, coached baseball with the Manville Youth Athletic League (MYAL) for only three years, he had already made an impression on the coaches and the kids.
   Mr. Oset, 45, had just finished his first week of coaching football for this season, when he died after falling from the Alfred Driscoll Bridge on the Garden State Parkway while working for the Conti Group of South Plainfield Aug. 11.
   ”He really enjoyed the (MYAL) members,” said his widow, Lucille. “He liked to socialize and know what was going on with his kids’ activities. He was the type of person who went up to people and just started a conversation.”
   MYAL members will host a breakfast honoring Mr. Oset’s memory, and to raise money for his family this Saturday. The breakfast will start at 10 a.m., and runs until 2 p.m. at American Legion Post 429 on Main Street.
   ”We’re really doing it as friends, and coaches,” said Katie Ader, MYAL cheer commissioner. “We’re just doing it because we feel they could use some help.”
   In addition to regular breakfast foods, the breakfast will have some lunch foods and desserts. Though Ms. Ader said the MYAL is trying to get food donations from local businesses, she could not confirm whether food had been donated.
   ”It’s wonderful,” said Ms. Oset about the breakfast. “It brings a lot of pride. They thought enough of him to do this for us. My husband would be very appreciative of this.”
   Ms. Oset said she would attend the breakfast with her sons, Troy, 8, and Ryan, 2. Troy played football on the MYAL’s Ponies team this year. Ms. Oset said Ryan intends to play football once he’s old enough.
   ”It’ s very encouraging for the children,” said Ms. Oset. “They’ve really went above and beyond after this happened. It’s not just the (sports) program; it’s the people.”
   The breakfast costs $10 for adults and $6 for children between ages 4 and 12.
   ”We try to help out wherever we can, as friends and a close-knit community,” said Ms. Ader.