March 23, 2002
 Melvin
G. Massucco, star athlete, longtime football coach and broadcaster,
died March 23 in St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical
Center, at 76.
Mr. Massucco began his career by serving two years on the
athletic staff at the University of Massachusetts. He then
coached at Holy Cross from 1954 to 1966, serving as freshman
football coach; chief scout for head coach Dr. Eddie Anderson;
varsity hockey coach; freshman basketball coach; varsity
lacrosse coach; and head football coach during his last two
seasons. Mr. Massucco had also been the color analyst for
many years on radio broadcasts of the Holy Cross football
games. In 1967, he joined the staff of WPI where he remained
for 28 years, retiring in 1995. In addition to serving 11
years as head football coach, he taught in the department
of physical education; coached the golf team for 16 years;
and held the post of director of intramural athletics.
As a student, Mr. Massucco had been a running back for the
Holy Cross football team, setting the single season and career
rushing yardage records; during his last year he was captain
of the team, which attained an 8-2 record. He earned All-East
and Catholic All-American honors and played in the North-South
All-Star game. Following graduation, Mr. Massucco was drafted
by the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League.
He was elected to the Holy Cross Athletic Hall of Fame in
1970.
An Army veteran, Mr. Massucco served in Italy with the 350th
Infantry during World War II; he also played football for
his unit in Southern Europe. Previously, Mr. Massucco spent
two years in the South Pacific with the Merchant Marines.
In the mid-1940s, he was named to an All-Service All-Star
football team.
Mr. Massucco had been a Holy Cross class agent.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; three sons; a daughter;
three brothers; eight grandchildren; and several nephews
and nieces.
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