As a teacher, coach and referee, his life has touched the lives of countless others in Sunnyvale, Cupertino and points beyond.

Since 1958, when he began his teaching career at a Hayward junior high school, Camuso has officiated football in the fall and basketball in the winter. But, although he has officiated at the highest levels—three seasons in the NBA and pre-season work in the NFL—he is most passionate about the spring season.

"He just loves baseball," says daughter Carol Reuter, the oldest of Camuso's four children. "He loves the game; he knows the game."

Camuso, in his 36th season at the varsity level, recently reached and surpassed the 500-win plateau, as Homestead quickly won two games this season.

"The team had talked about getting it done early," Camuso says. "The kids wanted to try to get it out of the way."

The Mustangs took care of that item of business in the season opener on Feb. 24 against visiting Sequoia of Redwood City.

Senior left-hander Jeff Hungerford pitched a complete game shutout. Shortstop Craig Moberg and second baseman Joey Favor turned two double plays. And the 5-0 win put Camuso in the win column for the 500th time.

A 12-7 triumph over Cupertino raised Camuso's ledger to 501 wins, 396 losses, eight ties.

So, at age 69, what keeps Camuso officiating high school football in the fall, evaluating basketball officials in the winter, and coaching in the spring? And don't forget the full load of physical education classes at Homestead.

"The love of the game is number one," Camuso says. "The physical exercise and being around the kids is number two. Getting kids to go to college to play (baseball) is fun for me."

One of Camuso's fondest memories was being able to be part of the coaching staff when one of his sons, Ken, played at De Anza College.

"After Sunnyvale High closed in June of 1982, I moved over to Homestead [as a PE teacher], but Ken Flanagan was still the coach then," Camuso remembers.

So in 1983, after steering the baseball helm at Sunnyvale since 1964, he began a three-year stint as an assistant for Ed Bressoud at De Anza.

When Flanagan left before the 1986 season, Camuso slid right in. And he's been there ever since, continuing to add to many years of baseball memories.

He coached Scott Erickson, now a Major League pitcher, and Danny Duran, who spent some time with the Texas Rangers. Another former Camuso player, Matt Vokemier, made it to Triple-A, one step away from the majors.

For one span in the 1990s, son Ken joined Chuck in the Homestead dugout. The Camusos worked together one year, coaching a team that included one of Chuck's grandchildren, Mitch Ignaitis.

"That team went 17-1 and won the league championship," Camuso beams proudly.

In fact, their have been many Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and De Anza League championships over the years, but no Central Coast Section crowns.

"At Sunnyvale we went to the CCS finals twice, but unfortunately we never won," Camuso recalls.

In 2003, the Mustangs lost in the first round of the CCS playoffs to Wilcox. Camuso thinks he "might retire in a few years," and a CCS championship "would be nice, but if it doesn't happen, well ... "

Camuso certainly knows how to keep life in perspective. Having "a heart thing," as the man of all seasons calls it, will teach a person perspective.

In 1985, just before the start of a college basketball game Camuso was to work at Fresno State University, his heart stopped and he fell to the floor.

"Fortunately, there were paramedics and trainers available and they treated me quickly," Camuso explains. "I've been wearing a pacemaker ever since."

When Thanksgiving Day rolled around, Camuso was still in a Fresno hospital, marking the only year since 1960 that he has not worked in the Big Bone Game, the traditional high school holiday game between San Jose and Lincoln.

So, for 44 years the former San José State University shortstop has been involved in the Santa Clara Valley high school sports scene in some fashion or other.

So what sport does he like the best? None of the above, says daughter Carol. "He like to golf," she says, "whenever he can."