Coach Louis J. Marotti

Louis Marotti Obituary

MAROTTI, Coach Louis J. -- EX NFL PLAYER AND BAY AREA HIGH SCHOOL COACH. Known to everyone as Coach Marotti and to colleagues and ex-players as 'Coach', passed away on October 3, 2003. He leaves behind numerous memories of steering people to 'never give up and pursue your dreams until they come true.' Having the opportunity to coach sons Robert and Thomas in football at Campbell High School brought tremendous joy to his illustrious career. Coaching against son Frank as a player, and later as an adversary in football and baseball brought to the family a loving closeness in the area he dedicated his entire life to. His greatest coaching thrill was watching his sons play NCAA football, always coaching them, giving advice, and proudly watching them play the game he loved second only to his family. A devoted family man and loving husband to wife, Virginia, everything away from teaching and coaching was doing things with and for his wife and sons. His accomplishments as a high school coach were numerous. He was part of football championships at Campbell and Camden, state wrestling championships at Camden, and baseball championships at Prospect. 'Coach' spent the last part of his career teaching Physical Education and Driver Education in the Campbell Union High School District starting in 1956. He retired from teaching at age 70. His dedication to improving education did not stop with his retirement. He served two terms as a Board of Trustee member helping to bring quality education to the district. He never forgot the ranks he came from, thus fought hard for teachers and quality education improvement. He was instrumental in securing the first lighted football field in the CUHSD. After his NFL playing days from 1941-1946 with the New York Giants and Chicago Cardinals, playing offensive guard, he started his high school coaching career. It started in Osseo, Minnesota, then Strasburg, North Dakota, to Turlock, California, and finally to Campbell. This covered 35 years of influencing young people's lives and leaving a mark, which many will remember. The passing of Coach Marotti will leave a void in many lives, especially family, friends and ex-students. Visitation will be this afternoon, Tuesday, October 7, 2003 from 3 - 6 p.m. at DARLING-FISCHER CAMPBELL MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 231 E. Campbell Avenue in Campbell. A vigil service will be held this evening at 7:00 p.m. at St. Lucy's Catholic Church, 2350 Winchester Blvd., in Campbell. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 8, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., also at St. Lucy's. Interment to follow at Los Gatos Memorial Park in San Jose.

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Published by San Jose Mercury News on Oct. 7, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Louis Marotti

4 Entries

Mary Whalen

October 8, 2003

My memories of Lou Marotti are of how devoted he was to Virginia, especially during her illness. He was her champion. He also loved to talk about his sons. I have thought about him many times since leaving the Bay Area. God Bless you guys. Your Dad (and Mom) were wonderful people.

Larry Cone

October 8, 2003

Coach's passing came as a great shock to me. I guess men like him are just larger than life, and you expect them to be around forever.

I have many memories of Coach, but the one that stands out the clearest by far is from November 22, 1963, at about 2:25 p.m. We had just finished PE class, and were dressing after our showers, when Coach's voice came over the PA system, announcing that President Kennedy had been shot. At first, there was a stunned silence in the locker room. Then, everyone started laughing, thinking it was a joke. I won't say what Coach's next words over the PA were, but the tone of his voice left no doubt that it was no joke. You could tell that he was trying to keep his voice steady, and that he was pretty choked up. I have never heard a room full of teenage boys go from raucous to pin-drop silent so quickly.

After the shock of learning that the President was dead had begun to wear off, the first thing I thought about was the emotion in Coach's voice when he made the announcement.

My perception of Coach altered a lot in that moment. It went from one of a pure disciplinarian to a man with real feelings.

In retrospect, I am very glad to have heard the news about JFK the way I did. Because of it, I was able to leave high school and live the next 38-plus years with a very positive feeling about a man who, second only to my father, was the most influential in my life.

Gary Hubbs

October 8, 2003

My thoughts reach out to the Marotti family. Coach had a big influence on my early life at Camden High School, 1964 - 1967. I never forgot his integrity, his directness, and his kindness.

I teach high schoolers myself, now, and I have thought of you often!

Thank you for making a difference.

john pedemonte

October 7, 2003

My deepest regrets to Coach's family. John Pedemont '66, right guard Camden Varsity Football team 1965.

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