Don Pisati, Windsor Locks Hall of Famer, Dies At 75

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Don Pisati, a lifelong Windsor Locks resident and Hall of Fame inductee who devoted most of his life and more than four decades of his professional career to scholastic athletics, died Thursday. He was 75.

A true student-athlete, Pisati served as president of the student council during his senior year at Windsor Locks High School, as well as playing four years on the basketball and baseball teams. He was a member of the 1961 Raider basketball squad which finished Class S runner-up, dropping a 59-55 decision to Bloomfield in the state finals. He was also voted Most Mischievous by his peers in the Class of 1962.

Brian McKeown, a 2013 inductee of the Windsor Locks Athletic Hall of Fame, became friends with Pisati nearly 70 years ago, when their families lived on Oak and Church streets, respectively. They ended up becoming godfathers to each other's daughters.

"We used to hang out at Pesci Park; it was the center of our universe growing up," McKeown said. "We both played for the legendary Al Shapiro. We adored him, he was the consummate coach and leader. Don was a prince of a man, with unquestionable good character. My heart has been torn out; I will miss him so much."

He earned his degree in physical education from the University of Bridgeport in 1966, and a master's from Fairfield University. For 41 years, he taught at the Carmen Arace School in Bloomfield, and also embarked on a coaching career which spanned a number of positions at area schools.

At Bloomfield High School, he coached baseball for 19 years and basketball for nine, while also serving a stint as assistant football coach. In 1983, he began an 11-year run as basketball coach at Enfield High School, replacing Bob Bromage.

"Don was a very compassionate man, dedicated to kids, and very conscious as a coach," Bromage said. "He loved going to his grandchildren's games. His hope was to see them play in high school. He enjoyed his experience at Enfield and was very well respected by his players. He was always optimistic. A real gentleman."

Raphael Cerrato, a 2018 inductee into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame and current head baseball coach at the University of Rhode Island, played basketball for Pisati for three years at Enfield.

"He was just a quality individual," Cerrato said. "I think I take something from every coach I played for or worked with. With Coach Pisati it was about the relationships with his players. We always felt comfortable being around him. We weren't afraid to joke around and be ourselves. I have been around a lot of coaches where it wasn't very fun. That was never the case with Coach Pisati. I don't remember anyone not liking him."

"Coach Pisati was a wonderful man and his passing is a sad day for the thousands of lives he touched," said Bill Chaves, another former Enfield basketball captain who is presently Director of Athletics at teh University of North Dakota. "I only had the good fortune to play for him during my senior year, but as in many things in life, it is not necessarily about the quantity of time but rather the quality of it, and that year was a special one getting to know such a special person."

After leaving Enfield High School, Pisati returned to his alma mater in Windsor Locks as an assistant soccer coach under the legendary Dan Sullivan. He helped guide the Raiders to the 1994 Class S championship, a thrilling 2-1 victory over Old Saybrook.

"I have known Don for over 50 years, and when you think about the tradition of Windsor Locks sports, you think of Don Pisati as an outstanding athlete, well-respected youth and high school coach," fellow Hall of Famer Bob Cressotti said. "Don’s biggest attribute was his teaching of fundamentals and skills in basketball, baseball and soccer and his calm demeanor. Don was a great teacher, coach, mentor and most importantly, a family man. Over the past few years, we had the privilege of watching our grandchildren together playing soccer, baseball and basketball. He was always encouraging, upbeat and positive regardless of the outcomes. He will be sadly missed; however, his presence will remain with all of us. A true gentleman on and off the field."

Windsor Locks athleteic director Jim O'Brien concurred, "He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, with a simple, common sense perspective on all things, both athletic and otherwise. I hold him in the highest regard, a mentor, and the yardstick by which all coaches and teachers should be measured."

Upon retiring from teaching in Bloomfield, he became the Athletic Coordinator and Student Coordinator at the Metropolitan Learning Center Magnet School in Bloomfield, where he remained for 13 years before retiring once again.

Off the courts and diamonds, Pisati filled many key roles as a longtime member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA), including a stint as chairman in 2005-06. He was chairman of the Senior All-Star Boys Basketball Festival for 25 years, and chaired the CIAC boys basketball tournament committee from 1989 to 1991.

In 2010, the CHSCA presented Pisati with the Thomas R. Monahan Award, given to a member of the education profession who has made significant contributions to high school athletics while exhibiting the qualities of leadership, integrity and professionalism. It is considered the highest award given by the association.

"Don was a true friend for many years and the memories we shared riding to committee meetings, golf courses or the Red Rose will never be the same. He will be missed but never forgotten," longtime colleague Bob "Jiggs" Cecchini wrote on the Windsor Locks Funeral Home tribute page for Pisati.

He was elected to the Windsor Locks Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

"My breakfast buddy was more than what people read," Hall of Fame vice chairman Dave Farr said. "He had an unbelievable dedication to high school basketball after his coaching days: a member of executive committees, filling in as emcee for all-state or honoring coaches. No matter what season, he would watch 7-8 games on a weekend if his grandkids were playing. He emceed the Hall of Fame dinner for 10 years. I'll miss debating UConn-Syracuse basketball with him."

Pisati is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bonnie, as well as two children and five grandchildren.

Calling hours are Tuesday, July 21 from 3-7 p.m. at the Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 Spring St., Windsor Locks. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, July 22 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 42 Spring St., Windsor Locks, followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery. A procession will gather at the funeral home at 9 a.m. Read his complete obituary here.

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