Army Air Corps veteran Eugene DeFilippo outside the Northampton Elks Lodge in 2018. DeFilippo, who recently died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident, is being remembered by former student athletes for the influence he had on their lives.
Army Air Corps veteran Eugene DeFilippo outside the Northampton Elks Lodge in 2018. DeFilippo, who recently died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident, is being remembered by former student athletes for the influence he had on their lives. Credit: GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Eugene DeFilippo. I had the honor of playing for Coach for four years, serving as a captain with Don Bertrand in 1961. There are great memories of those days — we actually beat Holyoke two years in a row.

You always knew where you stood with Coach — there were no shades of gray! Monday after practice was game film review — it was awfully silent as Coach dissected each play. He pointed out your mistakes but never in a demeaning manner. When there was a good play or perfect execution, Coach ran and reran that play heaping praise on those players.

Coach was a strict disciplinarian — he told you what was expected and held you to his high standards. The things I learned from him have carried over into my personal and professional life as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Following my graduation from Hamp High I played college ball for two years at the University of Vermont — none of my coaches there could come close to Coach as a teacher or person.

My brother, David, also played for Coach as well as being captain of both the basketball and golf teams, while sister, Lynn, was a cheerleader — all of us in some way touched by Coach DeFilippo.

Boyd J Tomasetti DMD

Denver and Vail, Colorado