TIGHE, William F. Of Stoneham, beloved husband of the late Mary (Folger) Tighe, passed away on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020. United States Army Veteran and beloved Hall of Fame coach to many baseball and football players. Loving son of the late William and Agnes (Anderson) Tighe.

Devoted father of Sharon Adamo and her husband Frank, Maureen Martens and her husband Remy, Kevin Tighe and his wife Elaine, Steven Tighe and his wife Gina and the late Michael and Billy Tighe. Cherished grandfather of nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Loving brother of Edward Tighe and the late Dorothy Holmes and uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be held privately, and a Service will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill's Memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 N. Main St., Natick, MA 01760. For information and to leave an online condolence, www.barilefuneral.com and for further information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome Barile Family Funeral Home

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Published by Boston Globe from Apr. 16 to Apr. 17, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM TIGHE

44 Entries

Edgar Almeida

September 14, 2020

I was a ru
I was a half back and occasional defensive back for Bill Tighe at Wakefield High School. After one game, he walked up to me and said, You must have broken up with your girlfriend! He was right!
But the most memorable and influential moment was on the track field, Spring of my senior year. I was sitting on the track infield. Suddenly, there was Coach Tighe squatting beside me. He wanted to know where I was going to college, and then said something like, You're going to play football aren't you? Coming from him, I was at once surprised, but infused with pride and confidence that I believe only Bill Tighe could have given me! I have missed and admired him through all the years!!

Paul Finn

June 26, 2020

I visited Coach's grave today and I wanted to remind his family of how special a man Bill Tighe was to all of us who knew him. I had the unique experience of playing for, coaching with and coaching against the Legend. He was a major factor in my life and a roll model I will never forget. For the past couple of years I would meet him for mass and his smile and enthusiasm for life made it my favorite day of the week. When he could have visitors in Wilmington a jelly donut or chocolate frappe was good for a story about our shared love of football and race horses. I loved Coach Tighe and will do my best to always honor his memory. God bless you Coach'

Robert Surette

May 14, 2020

Our Deepest Sympathies & Love To The Great Bill Tighe & His Great Family!!!
It was a Blessing to have Taught & Coach with the Legendary William Tighe!!!
Robert Bob , Theresa, Christina & Matthew Surette
Bowie, Maryland. 5/14/20

Bryan Schultz

April 30, 2020

My condolensces to you Maureen, Steven and your families on your loss

Rita Lovet

April 28, 2020

So sorry to hear of Coach's passing. What a wonderful man and an awesome friend to so many. God Bless Him.

John Innocenti

April 24, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Not only did I have the pleasure of playing football under his guidance at Wakefield but he lived with us a short time in the 70s when he was in California. We were introduced to Coach Tighe's 4 ring dinner as he called Kay's cooking and still use the term for good meals. He not only touched my life but that of my 2 sons. When a celebration of life is planned can you please notify me. I would like to come if traveling is possible from CA. Email is jhschico@aol.

Dianne Snow

April 22, 2020

My heart goes out to the whole Tighe family who were our neighbors from many years ago. A good man. .a good father.. husband.. friend. Rest in Peace Mr. Tighe.. speaking for the whole Muse family.

April 22, 2020

My sincerest condolences go out to the entire Tighe family. Mo, how proud you must have been to have a father that was loved by so many. He sounds like so many people learned so much from him not only from him as a coach, but life lessons as a human being. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
Love,
Wendi & David Obuchowski
Hampden MA

David Moulton

April 21, 2020

Coach Tighe was best Man I knew..God has gained another angel.

May the strength of God be with you all.

Betty Selman- Ortiz

April 20, 2020

Coach mentor and genuine great person.
Rip coach

Linda Penney

April 20, 2020

I will always remember Billy with a smile on his face, always seeing the positive, always ready to make you laugh. He and Mary were such good friends with my mom and dad, Carol and Sam Adams. The four used to go on "Mystery Tours!" One of their quartet would plan a Secret trip to an unusual place near where they lived on Cape Cod and try to surprise all the others...like going to visit the Brewster Waste Water Treatment Facility! When Billy wanted to plan a secret skydiving trip, my Mom found out and pulled the plug in THAT one! So full of life, so full of love. He will be missed. My heart felt sympathy to you all.

James Mumley

April 20, 2020

Coach Tighe. The greatest coach . person and Teacher. I will never forget you. I was a good football player because of you. Thank you for making Lexington a winner. RIP coach. Miss you. The Greatest coach of all time

Ara Topjian

April 20, 2020

My deepest sympathies to a true gentleman! ❤ You will be very missed Coach Tighe. My prayers are with you and family. May you Rest In Peace knowing how many students who you deeply touched and shaped with lifelong lasting impressions.

Dave Radlo

April 20, 2020

Would like to offer my deepest and sincere condolences to the Tighe Family. I had the blessing to play for and coach with Coach Tighe during the late 70's, 80's, and early 90's, and he remained a mentor and friend ever since. Not only do I credit Coach for gaining admission to and playing for Tufts, but more because I happened to be blessed to learn from the very best on how to win at football, family, and life.

Brian Whelan

April 20, 2020

It's not until you get out in the world do you realize how lucky to have people like this in your life. Not every kid gets a Coach Tighe. RIP.

Curtis Massey

April 20, 2020

A great man that Im glad I had the chance to know.

Julie Johnson

April 20, 2020

My condolences to your family

marcia adams o'neil

April 20, 2020

Sending deepest sympathies to the Tighe Family....Billy and Mary were such good good friends of my parents. They so enjoyed each other and the good times they had together at the Cape. Always laughing, always enjoying life....would we all have such wonderful friendships. Sharing the loss of this fine man.

One of the greatest, from the "Greatest Generation"<br />May you Rest in Peace coach !

Chuck Shaw

April 20, 2020

I have been so blessed to have Coach Tighe in my life. In 1975 as a young Pop Warner player in Lexington, my dad would often get me a pass to be on the sidelines for the home games. It was then that I developed such admiration for coach. I used to say to my dad, I cant wait to get into high school and play for coach Tighe. Well not only did I play for coach, which was the best experience of my life. I was one of the lucky ones who was able to join his coaching staff after college. I remember the first day in the coachs room I said coach he turned and said, You dont have to call me coach, and you can call me Bill. I paused and said Id rather call you coach, out of respect you earned that title. I can say, that the guidance never stopped, coach has been a great mentor me and always and believed in me. Alongside of my dad, coach was instrumental in teaching me life skills that made me a better person. Coach taught every player and student the finest of traits.. Commitment, Respect, Teamwork, Unity, Dedication, Loyalty, Honor, and most of all giving back. Again, like my dad, coach often praised the need to giving back to the community. In 1999, coach asked me if I would be willing to fill the shoes if the now late Jim Dhimos who was the voice of the Minutemen for over 25+ years. He said to me if anyone can do it, you can do it. I am proud to say that after 20 years, I am still in the press box doing the play by play and honored to do so. When I lost my dad in 2007, coach was one of the first ones at my side, he even honored my dad by making an award in my dads name that is still handed out to a senior player at the end of each season. Coachs halftime retirement celebration was one that I will never forget, as humble and modest as coach was The look on his face and the smile from ear to ear was worth it, and he deserved it. I have been so blessed to have the relationship with coach Tighe over the years, hosting dinners, social gatherings, and birthday parties was a way to keep him in touch with his former players and students, and I enjoyed doing it, as much as he loved going to them. Coach never forgot a player or student, it did not matter if you played football, track, baseball, male or female Coach remembered everyone. To me personally, losing coach was like losing my dad all over again. To coach: As you are now home with your wife Mary, your boys Billy and Michael please know that you forever will be a part of me and I have been so honored to have you as a mentor. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Tighe family, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your dad with me, and the entire Tighe-Nation.
Chuck Shaw LHS 1984 LHS Football 1981-1983 LHS Asst Coach 1989-1999 Voice of the Minutemen 1999 Present

Dick Conant

April 20, 2020

I had the great pleasure of working with Bill at Lexington High School and I will always remember him as one of the finest human beings I have ever known.

Ron Cahill

April 19, 2020

My deepest sympathy to the Tighe family... Coach was like a second father to me. I was lucky to have had the privilege to be mentored by one of the best. He will forever be missed.

Nancy Liston

April 19, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tighe family.

Dick Vaughan

April 19, 2020

I had the great joy and getting to know Coach Tighe when he came to Malden Highin 1964. Then Coach Ed Melanson became Director of Athletics and brought Coach Tighe to Malden from Wakefield...He was an outstanding gentleman and we spent many football seasons together. An outstanding QB himself he developed many terrific Malden quarterbacks during his time in Malden...He brought his friend and Coach Lou Racca with him and together they brought Malden many winning seasons...He was a joy to be around and I will forever cherish our time together...I still have a 1969 GB Championship jacket that I was given,,,Just think 95 wow what a life...he loved it and he lived it but he also rubbed off on many many young athletes at Wakefield, Malden and Lexington. God please welcome Billy...but be careful our he'll be Coaching the Heaven Heavies in football !!!

Ann Ringwood

April 18, 2020

Whenever I dropped by a practice or covered a game to take photos for the Lexington Minuteman, Coach Tighe would act like visiting with him made his day. Of, course, he treated everyone like that! He was a wonderful person and a true gentleman whose influence will live on for years. Thanks for everything, Coach...

Gene Kee

April 18, 2020

Like many others fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Coach Tighe as a kid, his shining example and guidance supported me for a lifetime. He loved and served his family, community and country with Honor and Distinction. Rest in Peace Coach for a job well done. To the Adamo, Martens and Tighe Families you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Thank you for sharing this wonderful guy with so many for so long.

Peter Caruso

April 18, 2020

You were a wonderful man, a great coach, and a true leader. You will truly be missed.

Peter Thomas Caruso Sr
Malden High School
Class of 1970

Dean Coach)

April 17, 2020

A privilege and true blessing to have seen you coach from the opposite sideline! God bless you, your family and thanks so much for the memories ! Fondly

April 17, 2020

RIP Coach Tighe. You taught me so much.Not only about football, but of life itself. I will always have so many fond memories of you. Bill McDermott MHS 70

Tom Lubin

April 17, 2020

Rest in piece coach.Great coach and truly a great person. Will miss you.

Maury Goldstein

April 17, 2020

Sending sincere condolences to the Tighe Family.

Maury Goldstein

Charles MacKay

April 17, 2020

My condolences to Coach's entire family. He was a promoter of my running skills and good friend to me at MHS in the 60's. I had the honor of induction into the MHS Hall of Fame with him in 97. It was a true privilege to have known him. God bless him and all his loved ones.

April 17, 2020

RIP Coach, a lot of life's lessons were taught on the football field under your guidance. Condolences to the family. - Paul DiPietro MHS 1966

Charlie Maxfield

April 17, 2020

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved ones today and always. Coach was very much a part of our lives at Wakefield High in the 50s. Thanks for the memories.

Carolyn O'Neil

April 17, 2020

So sorry to hear of Coach's passing. As a regular churchgoer at Saint Joseph's in Wakefield, my morning began with a big smile and a quick wave from Coach. He brightened the day for all of us regulars.

Anne Bean

April 17, 2020

Sincere condolences to the family of a fine gentleman, great coach, and colleague. I taught with Billy at Wakefield and had wonderful times with him. He was always ready to argue when WHS played Melrose, where my late husband, Paul, was an assistant to Joe Hoague. May he rest in peace after a busy and exemplary life.

Neil Lusas

April 17, 2020

I coached in the Middlesex League for 33 years and never met a finer man than Billy Tighe. I loved this guy and looked forward to hugging on the field before and after the game while I coached at Burlington, Melrose and Woburn and of course Coach Tighe was the Legend from Lexington. I made it a point that each of my three sons who played at Melrose would,win or lose, get introduced and shake his hand before and after the game. I'll never forget the cherished compliment he gave me and my youngest son when Cody made the game saving tackle with under a minute to go on the goal line. Bill said, "That was a great tackle Cody and I'm not surprised knowing your his son". He was the best and I will miss him.

Robert Sheridan

April 17, 2020

The Family of the late Walter T. Sheridan send our love, thoughts & prayers to the entire Tighe family. All our love Connie & children.

David Clune

April 17, 2020

Marylynn and I offer our sincere condolences to the family and extended family of Bill Tighe. Bill was a man of high ideals and deep convictions about all that is good and just and fair and kind. We are all better for the privilege of having our lives touched by his in so many positive ways, none greater than the way he embraced love of family and his extended "football" families and love of country, all of which he served so well. What was said of a beloved school headmaster is equally true of Bill. " He taught as a learner, he led as a follower and in so doing he firmly set the feet of many on the pathways of life."
Sincerely,
David Clune
Principal Lexington High School
1975-82

Tony Gonnella

April 17, 2020

a classic person/coach!!

April 17, 2020

My condolences to the Tighe family. I remember Mr. Tighe
from my years at Malden High School. Always treated me with
respect. J.S.

Vincent Carli

April 16, 2020

Coach Tighe was a mentor to many students during his tenure at Wakefeld High School and is still fondly remembered by those who new him.May his family find comfort and peace. On behalf of the Wakefeld High School Class of 1960, I extend our sincere sympathy.

Nate Lincoff

April 16, 2020

My sincerest condolences go out to the entire Tighe family. I was a member of the 67-69 MHS Golden Tornados. 1969 GBL champions. Coach was also my Physical Ed teacher as well. I knew both Michael and Billy as well as they were always on the sidelines and travelled on our team bus to away games. Coach taught us about dealing with adversity on and off the gridiron. My fondest memory is when we beat Everett in 1969, 41-0. The game was called early when the Everett coach came charging across the field yelling at Coach and accusing him of running up the score! The fact is coach had the JV squad playing in the 4th quarter! Coach informed me after the game that I was his selection for the San Aliberti award for the best defensive player of the game. Coach also nominated me for the GBL all league defensive end player of the year. It was quite an honor.
RIP coach !

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