Joseph M. Giannelli

Joseph M. Giannelli, 76, of North Willington, husband of Joan (Minnick) Giannelli, died Monday December 9, 2002 at home after a 3 year battle with plasma cell leukemia, a rare form of multiple myeloma. He was born in Medford, MA on July 18, 1926, the son of Domenico and Immaculata (Baldassarre) Giannelli and was a member of the University of Connecticut Division of Athletics staff since 1966. During his 37 year tenure at UConn he coached football (1966-1980), golf (1981-2002), lacrosse (1967-1981) and served as games-operations administrator (1980-1988) and was a tenured assistant professor of physical education. As golf coach he led UConn to the BIG EAST Championship of 1994 and the ECAC Championship in the fall of 1993. He was honored as the BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year in 1994-1995 and was named the New England Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1994. He was named the 1992-1993 District I Coach of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America, and in 1993-1994 won both ECAC Coach of the Year and NCAA District I Coach of the Year honors. Prior to joining the Connecticut staff he was the head football coach at his scholastic alma mater, Medford (Mass) High School from 1962-65; he coached freshman football at Boston University from 1959-61 and was an assistant football coach and freshman lacrosse and wrestling coach at Hofstra University from 1951-58. He graduated from Western Maryland College in 1950 and coached football and wrestling there in 1951 while taking graduate classes. He was a Navy veteran, who volunteered for military service and saw active duty in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Besides his beloved wife, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Diane Giannelli of Norwich, his daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle and John Soucek of Van Nuys, CA, Karla and John Gilkerson of Saugus, CA; his daughter, Elisa Giannelli of Manchester, his grandchildren, Matthew, Devon, Jake, Christina, Sarah, Alyssa, Paige, Sydney, Ryan, Grace; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Louis and Mary Giannelli of Salem, MA, Fred and Dolores Giannelli of Reading, MA, Ralph and Claire Giannelli of Las Vegas, NV, his sister and brother-in-law, Lucy and Patrick Catino of Stoneham, MA, his sister, Angela Giannelli of Medford, MA, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 North Eagleville Rd. Storrs. Burial will follow in Storrs Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home; 456 Jackson St. Willimantic The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation, 3 Forest St. New Canaan, CT 06840 or to the Joe Giannelli Golf Fund, c/o University of Connecticut Athletic Development Office, 2111 Hillside Rd. Storrs, CT 06269.