The Watertown women basketball group was placing the ending touches on a 47-29 match win over Old Rochester final evening on the Watertown Middle School when tragedy struck.
Veteran official Don McGillicuddy was within the course of of constructing a name with 37 seconds left within the recreation when he collapsed. School trainers and medical personnel within the stands instantly responded they usually had been in a position to initially revive him.
En path to Mount Auburn Hospital, in accordance with fellow official and childhood good friend John Rafferty, he suffered a second coronary heart assault and regardless of a number of makes an attempt to revive him, they had been unsuccessful and he was pronounced lifeless.
The Watertown Public Schools launched an announcement concerning the occasions of Friday night:
“The Watertown Raiders neighborhood is deeply saddened by the collapse of a recreation official within the ultimate seconds of the Watertown-Old Rochester Regional women basketball recreation on Friday evening. Staff cleared the gymnasium of scholars and spectators whereas a Watertown athletic coach, officers from the Watertown Police Department, and members of the neighborhood rendered quick help to the official. We are grateful to everybody who supplied medical help to the official and supported followers within the moments after this incident.
“We understand that this incident was unsettling for those in attendance. School administrators spoke with students and families in the minutes after the game and counselors will be available for students on Monday. We encourage families to talk with their students about what they saw and how they are feeling, even if they are not showing obvious signs of being upset.”
Those who know McGillicuddy spoke of his ardour for officiating. One of these was his shut good friend Larry Kelleher. A former Tyngsboro High athletic director and principal who spent greater than three a long time as an MIAA basketball match director, Kelleher spoke with McGillicuddy just a few hours earlier.
“Donnie is a good guy and a very good referee,” Kelleher mentioned. “He really loved this time of the year. In fact, we were talking earlier in the day and he was excited about doing the game and was already looking forward to doing another tournament game in the next few days.”
Added longtime referee and league assignor of official Rich Antonelli: “Donnie was a great ref and a super guy. He loved to referee and golf, those were his passions.”
Rafferty grew up with McGillicuddy in Lowell and remained buddies by the years.
“Donnie grew up in a tough neighborhood, but was gifted with a warm personality,” Rafferty mentioned. “He had a want to do higher for himself and noticed that manner by sports activities. I went to Lowell and he went to Greater Lowell the place he performed basketball and baseball.
“He was a city kid through and through and never lost that work ethos which drove him to excel in golf (McGillicuddy was a member at Long Meadow Golf Club in Lowell) and refereeing. He was always happy to share in his good fortune and help people in any way that he could.”
McGillicuddy gravitated towards officiating and ultimately joined IAABO 95 Lowell the place he was a member for the previous 24 years. Rafferty mentioned that McGillicuddy cherished being round individuals and mixing it up along with his reward of gab, but was in a position to take action in a manner which endeared him to everybody, even coaches.
“Donnie has been a ref my entire coaching career,” mentioned Westford Academy women basketball coach Russ Coward. “When I first started as a head coach in 2008, I was a little hot headed at the time, but Donnie was great. He was always willing to communicate with the coaches. He would always listen to you and if you would tell him to watch for something, he would always respond and, in that regard, he was great.”
McGillicuddy had two youngsters, Wayne and Erica. Wayne McGillicuddy is the pinnacle soccer coach on the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut and credit his father for being a significant affect in his life,
“He’s the best,” an emotional McGillicuddy mentioned. “I wouldn’t be in the position I am in without him. He’s my best friend and my right hand man.”
The Watertown-Shawsheen boys basketball recreation, which was alleged to happen after the ladies recreation, was postponed and rescheduled to Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Source: www.bostonherald.com