John A. Squillace, a lifelong Greenwich resident, passed away on March 25 at the
age of 89. He was born on June 23, 1931, to Catherine (Gattuso) and Frank Squillace, part of the first set of triplets in Greenwich Hospital. John attended St. Mary’s Grammar School in Greenwich, CT, and graduated from Greenwich High School in 1949.
An avid baseball player, John joined The Pittsburgh Minor League Tallahassee
Pirates in 1950. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1951 and served honorably for two years. In 1958, he met the love of his life Catherine Carlin and happily married in 1959. John owned and operated John Squillace Sheet Metal and Roofing Company for many years after.
John, affectionately known as ‘Moose’ or ‘Coach’ coached the Bruce Park Sports and the Byram Vets in the Junior and Senior Babe Ruth Leagues in Greenwich for many years. There was not a player that he didn’t mentor on and off the field. In addition to coaching, John was a member at the Griff Golf course and loved the game of golf and chess. When he wasn’t coaching or playing golf, he was volunteering at the Greenwich Hospital. John received the Presidential Award for his 4,000 hours and years of volunteer service.
John had a passion for music and singing, he taught himself the guitar, harmonica,
and accordion. He combined his passions for giving back and music by being the founder of the Holly Hill Tones, a singing group that would travel to local nursing homes and entertain the residents. John is survived by his loving wife Catherine, his brother Paul, his triplet sister Minnie Mellor, and numerous nieces and nephews, especially Scott and Colleen Nastahowski, David Sottosanti, and Maryanne Bria whose care and compassion is greatly appreciated.
He was predeceased by his parents, siblings; Anthony, James, Nellie, Angelina
Dadamo, nephew Mark Mellor and great-niece Rachel Sottosanti.
To honor his life, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31 at St. Mary’s Church in Greenwich. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
