Page 27 - North Haven Magazine Issue 32 Winter 2024

he moved to Prospect for eight years before settling in Wall-
ingford in his later years.
I will never forget the last time I saw him. We were in a
barber shop awaiting the time for our haircut. He had aged
Co-Founder of the Midget Football Program quite a bit, and was recovering from a stroke. He was only
able to walk with the use of two canes. Life had worn him
and the North Haven Babe Ruth League down and he appeared downcast. Trying to stay positive,
I said to him, “you know, if you were coaching today, you
would be just as good.” However, he took me by surprise
when he looked me directly in the eye, and shook his head
no. For just a moment, the fire returned, his eyes lit up and,
without blinking, he shook his head again and said with a
Coach Grillo and the 1969 Midget football Championship Team deep resolve, “I’d be better.”
Fronte, another legendary figure whose two sons, Anthony Back in 2001, Journalist and author, Tom Brokaw, wrote a
and Jon, played for North Haven, and whose Granddaugh- book entitled, “The Greatest Generation.” Well, if Mr. Bro-
ter, Sabrina (Anthony’s Daughter), became the kicker on kaw ever had the good fortune to meet Tom Grillo, I am
the 2015 team that went to the State Championship game certain he would have included the life story of this remark-
against New Cannan. They were led by the dreaded Man- able and extraordinary man in his book. A man of deep
guilli twins, Joe and Larry, who may have been small in stat- faith, World War II Veteran, and survivor of the Battle of the
ure, but played the game with unbelievable grit and tenacity, Bulge who placed the welfare of others above himself, Tom
a real nightmare for the opposing team. Grillo offered his life as a living sacrifice for his country, his
community, his family, and, ultimately, to God. He is a true
During my high school years, I maintained contact with hero of yesteryear.
Coach Grillo, and in my early 20’s I actually became one of
his assistants for two years. As a young man, just beginning
my coaching career, I couldn’t have had a better mentor.

Over the ensuing years, I lost contact with Coach Grillo.
After living in North Haven for 40 years and positively im-
pacting the lives of a countless number of aspiring athletes,

H

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