Tony Fucillo honored at Gridiron Club Banquet

Winthrop’s Tony Fucillo was the recipient of the Dick Lawrence Longevity Award at the Gridiron Club of Boston’s Bob Whelan College Night Dinner at the Burlington Marriott.

Fucillo’s wife, Carolyn Fucillo, their children, Anthony Fucillo, James Fucillo, and Jenny Fucillo Golic, and his brother, Curry College assistant coach Rich Fucillo, looked on proudly as he accepted the prestigious award.

Also attending were Tony Fucillo’s former Winthrop High players and colleagues in the coaching profession.

Fucillo is considered one of the greatest high school football coaches in state history, earning induction in the Massachusetts Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Following an outstanding tenure at Winthrop High during which he led the Vikings to the 2006 Super Bowl title, Fucillo continued his career in college as the receivers coach at Tufts University for 12 seasons. He served as an assistant coach on his son Anthony’s staff at Belmont Hill for three seasons.

In his remarks, Fucillo said humbly, “It’s hard to believe that you can receive an award for doing something that I love doing every single day. This award belongs to the coaches and players that I was lucky enough to work with at Winthrop High School, Tufts University, and Belmont Hill School.”

Fucillo recognized the late Bob DeFelice “for his mentorship during my 15 years at Winthrop High School. He is the reason I started coaching and the reason I stand here tonight.”

During his speech, Fucillo graciously asked his wife, Carolyn, to “please stand up” to be recognized by the audience. The crowd responded with warm applause.

“Thank you for your support, your patience and your love,” Fucillo said to Mrs. Fucillo. “You have always been my rock, and your belief in me has allowed me to follow my passion. I look forward to the future to celebrating this next chapter with you. Thank you for believing in me and being my best friend.”

Congratulations from WHS head coach
Jon Cadigan

Winthrop High head coach Jon Cadigan was among the many former Viking players offering their congratulations to Tony Fucillo.

“To do anything for 50 years you have to be passionate about what you do, I’ve never met anyone more focused and passionate about what they do than Coach Fucillo. I’ve said this before but I think you come across less than a handful amount of people that can change or alter the trajectory of your life and Coach is definitely in that category for me. Forget the football part or the teaching aspect Coach has made me a better person, father, and husband, I’ll forever be grateful to be a part of his journey.”

Anthony Fucillo speaks

on behalf of the family

Following the banquet, Anthony Fucillo, a former Winthrop High School and Tufts quarterback, spoke about his father’s impressive award and his majestic 50-year coaching career.  His father had earlier described being a member of the Belmont Hill School coaching staff as “an incredibly special experience.”

“To be here and see my dad be honored for the time he’s put in for the young men of Winthrop, Tufts, and Belmont Hill – the impact he’s made on the game of football in New England, it means a lot to our family.”

Knowing his father’s lifelong love of football and his competitiveness on the sidelines, Anthony added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes out of retirement at some point. we’ll see.”

Tony Fucillo was a captain of the football, hockey, and baseball teams at Winthrop High before prepping for one year at Worcester Academy. He played defensive back at Xavier University of Ohio.