Photo Essay: Providence Gridiron Club Inducts New Hall of Famers

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Some of Rhode Island's legendary players and coaches were honored at a luncheon and the Hall of Fame night recently when the Providence Gridiron Club inducted new Hall of Fame members.

Caption: Robert Izzi, left, president of the Providence Gridiron Club, presents its Hall of Fame plaque to Joe Picano, of North Scituate. He's a former Cranston High School football All-Stater, who was also a longtime Cranston football and lacrosse coach.

Caption: At the brunch for new inductees at the Rhode Island Country Club, former Hall of Famers greeted the incoming class: Front row: Charlie Holderedge, of Westerly, Jim Norman, of Kingston, J. Merolla, of Warwick, Charlie Gibbons, of Newport; Second Row: Mitch Foresti, of Woonsocket); Vin Petrarca, of Warwick, Joe Picano, of North Scituate, Jim Sullivan, of Charlestown; Dear John, of Westerly, Steve Lewis, of Cranston), T. Rainone, of Cranston, and Bill McCagney, of Barrington; Row 3: Bruce Mastracchio, of East Greenwich, Dick Fossa, of Narragansett, Tom Centore, of Cranston, Jim Anderson, of Barrington.

Caption:: Front Row: Jim Sullivan, of Pawtucket and Charlestown,former St.Ray's and Boston College standout; Joe Picano, now of North Scituate, former Cranston East All Stater; Dick Fossa, of Narragansett, player, coach and administrator; Vin Petrarca, of Warwick, Bishop Hendricken and URI star; John Gentile, of Westerly, accepting for his Father, Goose Gentile.

Caption: Bob Izzi, left, presents a Hall of Fame plaque to 2016 inductee, James Sullivan. Sullivan led the state in scoring as a senior, leading his team to a championship and garnering a scholarship to Boston College. He was cited for his high school and college accomplishments as well as his performance as a coach, teacher, administrator, school committeeman and professional dancer.

Caption: Vin Petrarca, top notch Bishop Hendricken and URI football player receives the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame plaque from Robert Izzi. Besides being a great gridder, the Warwick native was a combat aviator, high school and college coach and a professor at Salve Regina University.

Caption: Dave Hanson, storied Hendricken swim coach, and a protégé of Jimmy Lynch, receives the
Providence Gridiron Club's Hall of Fame award for his mentor. Lunch, of Cranston, a high school and college three sport standout, Navy "Frogman " and long time football and swim coach passed away last year.

Caption: John Gentile Jr. , receives the Gridiron Club Hall of Fame plaque, for his Dad, from Club President, Robert Izzi. John Sr. was a Westerly athletic legend; an All-Stater, who led the Rhode Island Interscholastic League in scoring his senior football campaign with 118 points.

Caption: Dick Fossa, former LaSalle gridiron standout and a player, coach, administrator and official receives his Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame plaque from PGC President Robert Izzi. Dick and five other inductees were honored at a recent dinner at the Quonset 'O' Club.

Photos Courtesy Bruce Mastracchio