PRHsports
Dan Parrillo
Local teacher leaves a lasting legacy behind
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by Anthony Panvini photo by Krista Pomante
hether it was in the classroom or on the field, one can bet that Dan Parrillo was present. A teacher at St. Nicholas of Tolentine School for 39 years, Parrillo was well known, loved and respected throughout the community. He was so beloved that his legacy still lives on – 10 years after he passed. During his time at St. Nicholas (now St. Anthony of Padua Regional Catholic School), Parrillo taught many students and many subjects. He also coached multiple sports, ran the yearbook committee, took photos at every sporting event and was a constant
presence in the school and in the neighborhood he loved. Teacher Krista Pomante has high praise for Parrillo. “He was loved by every student, every faculty member. Everyone in the community knew him. Not only was he a teacher and a faculty member, he did everything. He ran the yearbook here. He ran every event. You knew him because he was a part of the entire community, not just St. Nicks.” Pomante’s fiancé, Albert Alessandrini, is the school’s current Athletic Director. He spoke highly of Parrillo though he never had the privilege to meet him. “The things I hear about him, the memories that are left behind, the legacy that he’s left, I probably have the biggest shoes in the world to fill. There’s no way in the world that I can possibly fill those shoes,” Alessandrini said. “I will strive to do my best in reaching the legacy that he left behind and if I could become even one half of the man that he was, I’d feel accomplished here.” Last year, a Boys vs. Girls basketball benefit was created (in addition to the Dan Parrillo Memorial Fund created by Perry Petrongola). Proceeds translated into new uniforms
for the CYO basketball organization. However, many of the people there were too young to remember Parrillo. That is when Pomante came up with the idea to open the event to all alumni. On February 11th, the Tolentine Community Center hosted the second annual Dan Parrillo Sports Benefit and, as anticipated, attendance increased. The spirit of Dan Parrillo was in the air. A man of strong Faith, Parrillo left St. Nick’s after 39 years to join the seminary. He finished his teaching career by instructing four classes of religion and two classes of physical science. During his time at St. Nick’s, his “partner in crime” was Bernadette Grimditch, a seventh-grade teacher who cotaught 7th and 8th grade with Parrillo. Grimditch, who met Parrillo in 1972, spent many hours teaching side-by-side with her friend and colleague. She says he will never be forgotten. “There is not a boy or girl that he taught at St. Nick’s who does not remember him, respect him or care for him,” Grimditch says. “He was just a great guy; a great guy that was taken from us way too soon. I would say he impacted quite a few lives.” prh
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April / May / June 2017
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