Bobby and the Captain
By Jim Lederman
“Friendship and memories,†a close knit group of longtime friends, held a special reunion Friday afternoon t the Winthrop golf Club.
The ‘Trident Avenue Association,’ led by Peter Marks and Jamie Tipping, two highly successful entrepreneurs, established the Robert Capezza Scholarship Fund, in memory of Bobby Capezza, who passed away suddenly on the WGC golf course on May 6th.
Bobby Capezza was a retired and highly respected, Winthrop high school teacher. He had just returned form Florida and was enjoying a round of golf with his friends. His friends established “The Trident Ave Reunionâ€, held every year at the WGC after an afternoon of golf. This year one friend was missing.
Peter and Jamie dedicated a beautiful stone/concrete bench on the second tee of the golf course. Twenty-five friends and relatives of Bobby C., under golden blue skies, paused to reflect on the life of Bobby Capezza.
A scholarship will be awarded every year at the Winthrop High School graduation.
If you wish to send a check for the Robert Capezza Scholarship fund, contact Peter Marks, at the Paul W. Marks Company (617) 389-4120.
Bobby C. and the captain Bobby Graziano, passed away in May of 2005 and Bobby Capezza of May 2016. Friendship lasts beyond 50 years. This group of guys have remained loyal and have lots of memories of “the good old days†of growing up in Winthrop.
Kudos to Butchie Z. who was the MVP of the dedication!
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A Family Tradition
Father’s Day is an annual gathering and a time to reflect. I was enjoying the proud tradition coach Sean Driscoll established with Winthrop families on the holiday.
I sat with the Noiles and Chiudina family and it was a time to reflect 56 years ago, Jimmy Noiles was playing for the Woburn Tanners and my WHS team was playing for the NEC title.
We lost (13-7) to the big city in the conference. My graduating class at WHS had 249 and Woburn had 705.
Jim and Ginny Noiles are proud grandparents of Jake Chiudina, an unsung Viking standout, who led his team to the 2014 NEC title.
Joan Gillis and Viking all-scholastic Sean Gillis, joined his teammates. The Viking captain was a standout on defense for the Shriner’s North all-stars at Bentley on Saturday.
The John Gillis and Barker families had vie ex-Viking captains at their table, talk about ‘family tradition!’
Tyler Gillis, Jimmy Barker and John Gillis are ex-Viking captains.
2015 Viking captains – Matt Feeley, sat with his family and ‘big brother’ ex-Viking captain Danny Feeley, a standout on the 2015 Framingham State ‘Rams†football eleven! Matt could be the key to the success of the NEC champions, carrying the pigskin in the fall!
Gus Martucci stopped in to wish coach Driscoll, good luck! His nephew Matt Tarantino, the ‘Big Soph’ will be in the backfield with Matt Feeley. ‘The Voice’ predicts another winning season at Miller Field.
The Viking line for coach Driscoll is the key. Luigi Spinazzola (third brother to play for coach Driscoll), Derek Wasson and Andrew McGrail look big and strong! Yes, I can hardly wait until September!
The Page family – Caitlin Page is the latest all-star from a family with strong hockey tradition.
Chris ‘Buddy’ Page was an NEC MVP in 2014. He will skate at Stonehill this season. His young brother Charlie was NEC all-star in 2014 and 2015. He could lead the NEC in scoring his final two years at Larsen Rink.
Caitlin played in the Agganis Classic lacrosse game, after a year she led the Viking lacrosse team and had four goals in one game. Caitlin will matriculate at Regis College in September.
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The Coach and the MVP
The final game for Dylan Driscoll was a memorable night. Coach Sean Driscoll was coach of the South team in the 54th Annual Harry Agganis All-Star Football Classic.
The South lost a thrilling (20-12) decision to the North on Thursday evening at Manning Field.
The South trailed the North (13-0) at halftime before number 5 – co-captain Dylan led his team to two long drives to trail (13-12) and the South almost pulled the upset. Dylan passed for one touchdown and ran in for the second.
Dylan was named MVP of the game and it was a night coach Driscoll and family will always have great memories of Dylan’s last high school game.
Tyler Gillis (great game on defense at linebacker) and big guy James Griffen played key roles for the South team.
In the girls ‘basketball classic, captain Kristen Siscamanis tossed in 12 points and was named MVP for her team.
Yes, two more MVP honors to two outstanding Viking athletes. Kristen and Dylan, two great Viking student athletes.
Let the Games Begin!
Fifty Years
The Agganis Foundation ‘Hall of Fame’ awarded Bob Guidi the Dr. Elmo F. Benedetto Award on Thursday night.
The Benedetto Athletics Award is given to a person who is dedicated to student-athletes.
Bob Guidi has been coaching student-athletes for 50 years. Bob was junior varsity football coach at his alma mater WHS in 1965. He presently is freshman football coach on Sean Driscoll’s staff.
Bob has coached at Belmont, St. Mary’s of Lynn, Lynnfield and Malden. He has coached baseball, basketball and tennis in a long and distinguished career.
I played with coach Bob Guidi in 1959-1960. We salute Bob for this high honor!
Let the Games Begin!
Hall of Fame
The 2015 Winthrop High School Hall of Fame! Class of 2015 induction will be November 27th.
The nomination forms are available at the office of Attorney Chris Tsiotos, 193 Winthrop Street, or call 617-846-9192 for more information.
Eligibility for the 12th annual class to be a candidate as an athlete, he or she must have attended WHS and must have been a part of a class that was graduated ten years prior to nomination.
Senior Tones
Have you listened to the dynamic oldies group – The Senior Tones, Howard Conley, WHS grad and ‘Hall of Fame’ athlete headlines the ‘Tones.’
The lead singer of the legendary Platters will sing with the Senior Tones on Saturday night, July 18th at the Winthrop Elks. Jonas Gray and four Patriots will be at the Elks July 18th.
Tickets are available at the Winthrop Book Depot and Café, Somerset Avenue, Winthrop Center.