Louis Moscaritolo

Lou Moscaritolo of Torrington, CT, died peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2014, after long illness.  `Coach Lou` as he was fondly known, leaves behind a long legacy of both teaching and coaching.  A graduate of Torrington High School in 1943, and St. Bonaventure University, he began his teaching career at Cuba Central School in Cuba, NY, before coming to Torrington High School in 1955, where he served as a Spanish and Social Studies Teacher and guidance counselor for 33 years, and coach for 50 years.

In his 58 years at Torrington High School, he touched many lives.  He served as an Assistant Football Coach for 23 years, and began his basketball coaching career in 1955.  In 1964, he was appointed as the first Junior Varsity Coach.  Upon the retirement of Connie Donahue, he was named as boys` Varsity Basketball Coach, a position he held for 4 years.  In 1977 he was appointed Girls` Varsity Basketball Coach and remained in that position until his retirement in 1993.  During his tenure, he had a 230-131 record, won the 1988 Naugatuck Valley League Championship with an undefeated season, and qualified for the C.I.A. C. tournament 10 times.  He also coached baseball and led the Freshman and Junior Varsity Teams to a 28-0 record.  He was the Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach for the 1975 State Championship team.  After his retirement, he continued on at THS as an Assistant Basketball and Baseball Coach.

In addition to his time spent coaching, he served as both the Assistant Athletic Director and Athletic Director, during which time he added the signage in the gymnasium and was instrumental in the addition of the athletic complex at the high school.

He founded the first Gold T awards dinner, and is a member of the THS Hall of Fame.  He played an important role in the formation of the Torrington Babe Ruth League, coached Pop Warner Football, coached for 2 years in the Connecticut Collegian Summer Baseball League, and often served as a color commentator for local sports on local radio and television stations.  He was a Veteran of the United States Navy and served in World War II, and he was a communicant of St. Peter Church.

His love for THS sports, the students, and athletes of THS was only surpassed by his love of his family.  He leaves behind his loving wife, Rose (DiMauro) (Tobin) Moscaritolo of Torrington; a daughter, Mary Lou Smith and her husband Bob of Westminster, Vermont; a son Lou Jr., and his wife Terry of New Hartford, CT; a step-daughter, Diane Tobin of Torrington; three grandchildren, Corrie, Daniel and Heather; three step-grandchildren, William, Brendan and Jesse; two great grandchildren, Morgan and Maci and two brothers, Michael of Torrington, and Raymond of Springfield, MA, along with several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Marie (Faillace) Moscaritolo, and brother, Carmine.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 31, 2014, with the cortege leaving at 10:00 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, to St. Peter Church, 107 East Main St., Torrington, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery with final military honors accorded.  Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Louis `Coach Lou` Moscaritolo Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Torrington High School, Major Besse Drive, Torrington, CT 06790 Attn:  Julie Beckwith.  Condolences may be sent to `Coach Lou`s` family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com