Robert “Bob” Guidi, a Winthrop High Hall of Fame inductee and outstanding high school sports coach, died on Sept. 14, 2024, after a brief illness. He was 81.
Bob Guidi was the son of the late Albert J. “Obbie” Guidi and Marie Guidi and grew up on Johnson Avenue in Winthrop.
Following his career at Winthrop High, Mr. Guidi play three sports at Tufts University, graduating in 1964. He went on to become a terrific high school sports coach, beginning with his success as head coach of the St. Mary’s High School baseball team. He was a beloved teacher at Malden High School for 30 years while continuing his coaching career in tennis, football, basketball, and baseball at high school programs throughout the area. He coached well into his late 70s.
In Winthrop, he stayed active in sports and was a former town tennis champion. He also became an exceptional golfer who played at the Winthrop Golf Club.
Tami Lynch Green was a first cousin of Bob Guidi. “We both grew up in Winthrop. He was a few years ahead of me in school. He was a very good student. Everyone called him ‘Bobby,’” recalled Green, who is a school nurse and lives in Connecticut.
Tami said she attended some of her cousin’s games at Winthrop High School where Bob played alongside future Major League catching prospect Bob DeFelice.
“Bob played a lot of sports in town, and he had a very good reputation as being a very good athlete, especially baseball,” related Tami.
Bob Guidi was immensely enthusiastic about coaching multiple sports and he helped many of his players go on to college athletics.
“He just loved being involved in sports,” said Tami. “If you wanted to talk sports, Bob was your man. Even I could talk sports with him, and I’m not even that big on sports. We played golf, so we had that in common.”
Tami said the Guidi family would often gather for holiday dinners.
“We’re a big Italian family and we had a lot of family parties for the holidays,” remembered Tami. “There were six Guidi siblings and they all lived in the Winthrop area, so we got together a lot.”
Tami said her cousin, Bob Guidi, loved the town of Winthrop and treasured being a resident here.
“He seemed to love Winthrop a lot,” said Tami. “He lived in the apartment where he grew up on Johnson Avenue. He had a special place in his heart for Winthrop.”
Sports were a huge part of the life of Bob Guidi. Through his superb coaching career, he was able to impart his wisdom and knowledge on his players and fellow coaches. Tributes to his mentorship and friendship have poured into the Guidi family since his passing. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him and had the honor of being in his wide circle of friends.