We celebrate the life of Vito Mateo Montelli (Coach), 91, who passed away peacefully on July 7th, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was married for 64 years to the love of his life Dolores “Magee” (Murphy) Montelli. Born in Bristol, CT on April 10, 1932, he was the only son of the late Salvatore and Lucrezia Montelli. Vito was a lifelong teacher. Upon graduating from the University of Bridgeport, Vito began his passion for coaching at Sacred Heart Grammar School in Bridgeport before enlisting in the Army. While in the Army, he met Dolores and soon after married her. Upon returning home, he started coaching baseball at Notre Dame High School. In 1962, Vito was the first hire at St. Joseph High School. At this time, he began his basketball coaching career, which spanned the next 50 years. During that time, Vito amassed 878 wins and 11 state championships, along with many national awards. However, it was his influence off the court that Coach will always be remembered for. He touched countless lives, leaving a lasting mark on many of those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.
Vito was a kind-hearted and generous man who was guided by his strong Faith and the philosophy that whatever you do in life, you do it with God in mind. This pure dedication to his faith, family, and friends was his true life’s work. In addition to his beloved wife, Dolores, survivors include their six loving children Andrew Montelli (Liz), Mary Ann Ciambriello (Frank), Michael Montelli (Nancy), Diane Morrisey (John), Theresa Montelli-Cavoto (Keith), Thomas Montelli (Debbie), his seventeen cherished grandchildren Katherine, Thomas, and Margaret Montelli, Carla, Gaetano, and Vito Ciambriello, Michael and Sofia Montelli, Marcelle, Mary Grace, Patrick, Frances, John Paul, and Luke Morrisey, Thomas Montelli, Grace and Jane Montelli, and his eight great-grandchildren.
We want to give a special heartfelt thanks to Vito’s “angel” caregivers: Sheila Ezekiel, Marisol Jorquera, Cherry Clarke, and Sandra DeCarvalho.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may greet the family on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Vito’s memory to the Vito Montelli Foundation, 775 Chickadee Lane, Stratford, CT 00614. For online condolences, please visit us at www.abriola.com
