Congratulations, Bob Defelice

The term “living legend” often is overused, but in the case of Winthrop native and lifelong resident Bob DeFelice, it is, if anything, an understatement.

We’ll just state the facts: Bob played baseball for Boston College and was drafted by the Red Sox upon his graduation in 1963. After playing in the Sox’ farm system for a few years, he took on the role of the first baseball coach for the newly-created Bentley College baseball program in 1968, a position he has held for the past 54 years until his retirement this past week, a tenure of 1868 games that has made him one of the longest-serving collegiate coaches in NCAA history.

He also joined the coaching staff of the Winthrop High football team in the late 1960s and eventually was named the head coach in 1970, a position he held for 17 years. Under his leadership, the Vikings compiled a record of 101-65-2 — despite being the smallest school in the Northeastern Conference — and won two Super Bowl titles in 1980 and 1982 that bookended an undefeated skein of 33 games, one of the longest gridiron winning streaks in Mass. high school history. (Long-time Viking fans will recall that Winthrop was not selected for the 1981 Super Bowl because of the controversial rating system in place at that time.)

Bob left the WHS football post when he assumed the role of Athletic Director at Bentley, a job he held for 29 years in which he transformed the Falcon athletic program and facilities into a first-rate program, during which Bentley captured two national championships and often qualified for the post-season.

The Bentley baseball field is named in his honor, replete with his statue at the entrance and he has been inducted into nine high school and collegiate halls of fame.

But those are just the numbers.

What always has impressed us — and everyone who has had the honor to know Bob — is his humility, coupled with a sense of unmatched determination, hard work, and compassion for the young men he has coached over the years.

We always thought that had Bob entered the military, he would have been an amazing general.

We know we join with all of our fellow residents in congratulating Bob (who will be turning 80 this week) upon a wonderful career and thanking him for his many years that he has dedicated to our community. We wish both Bob and his wife Patricia all the best in their retirement