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John Mazziotta Obituary
John Mazziotta, one of the winningest high school basketball coaches in Bergen County history and mentor to the Detroit Pistons head coach Lawrence Frank, died on Tuesday after falling at his Ridgewood home. He was 81.
The Bronx native taught history and coached boys' basketball at Bergen Catholic and Teaneck high schools from 1958 to 1992. He is tied for the third-most victories in Bergen County 536.
An emphasis on fundamentals paid off for Mr. Mazziotta's squads. He took over a forlorn Teaneck program in 1966 and built a winner by 1970, when the Highwaymen captured their first Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League championship.
Under Mr. Mazziotta, Teaneck won four Bergen Jamborees, none more exciting than in 1979. In the final against Hackensack, Teaneck pulled even with a three-point play CQ with 6 seconds left in regulation. Tony Campbell, a future Los Angeles Laker, scored 12 of Teaneck's 14 points in overtime, sealing an 85-78 victory.
Mr. Mazziotta's team manager in the mid- and late-1980s was a 5-foot-7 redhead whose older brothers, Bruce and Steven, had played point guard for the Highwaymen. Lawrence Frank was cut from the basketball team all four years at Teaneck but proved his worth as Mr. Mazziotta's right-hand man.
Frank, a former head coach of the Nets, said on Thursday that Mr. Mazziotta was a tremendous influence.
"He was the one who gave me a chance," said Frank, who was named Pistons coach in August. "Even though I wasn't good enough to make the team, he made me a member of the team and taught me a lot about the game."
Frank added, "What stands out most was that Coach Mazziotta was a person of character and integrity. & At the heart of it, he was an outstanding teacher, and his ability to connect and challenge in the classroom and on the court made him an outstanding coach."
John Mazziotta graduated from All Hallows High School in the Bronx and went to Georgetown University on a basketball scholarship. He was a Hoya for three years, then left the school because his widowed mother needed him at home, his daughter, Hannah Mulchrone, said.
He finished up at Iona College, then went to Columbia for a master's degree in history.
Mr. Mazziotta began his coaching career at All Hallows, in basketball and baseball. He coached basketball and football at Bergen Catholic. A 1958 article in The New York Times described how Mr. Mazziotta was getting Bergen Catholic's new football program off the ground.
"They're all perfect gentlemen," he said of his boys. "But I wish our football players weren't quite so polite on the field."
Before long, Mr. Mazziotta was focusing on basketball.
Mr. Mazziotta is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marjorycq; his children, Hannah Mulchrone of Chicago and Daniel Mazziotta of Ridgewood; a sister, Betty Mazziotta of the Bronx, and three grandchildren. A daughter, Cassie Mazziotta, died last year.
Visiting is 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today fri at Feeney Funeral Home, Ridgewood. The funeral Mass will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church, Ridgewood. Burial will be in Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah.
E-mail: [email protected]
Memories and Condolences
for John Mazziotta
37 Entries
Pat Nagle
October 11, 2021
I'll have a mass said for the God fearing, volunteer to mt. Carmel
Roger Nettune
October 7, 2020
John, Your dedication, discipline, mentoring and instilling confidence in me has served me well for the rest of my life. I am forever indebted to you. Rest in peace!
Roger Nettune
October 7, 2019
Great coach who taught DISCIPLINE and HUMILITY in a subtle way. Taught me great lessons in my later life. Played golf with him and learned what a great man he was.
Claudia Smith
December 10, 2011
I saw the news posted on the Teaneck Memorial Wall and I reposted it to the (fairly new) Teaneck High School (Class of 1971) Facebook page because there may be people in our class who should know about his passing. I did not know Mr. Mazziotta personally, but after reading all the beautiful posts here, I feel as if I did. He obviously lived a wonderful life that intersected and resonated with so many other people's lives. Please accept my sincere condolences.
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Bob Willman
November 13, 2011
From a former THS wrestler, thanks for turning the basketball program around and for making the school a much more enjoyable place just by your presence. Teaneck finally became the kind of basketball school it was meant to be, attracting all of our raw talent to the team. And that's the measure of a great coach. Bringing the kids out to play, have fun and win. Teaneck leaves behind a great winter legacy...John Mazziotta and Paul Nonas.
Mayor Jon Netts
November 2, 2011
My deepest sympathy goes out to John's family due to his untimely passing. I had the pleasure of teaching with John at Teaneck high School. john was the epitome of what we would expect from a true and honorable gentleman.
Bill Sheridan
October 31, 2011
Mazz was a great guy and taught me alot from days at daycamp to his coaching me in football and basketball. And him saying "Billy don't hit him on the basketball court". Thank you.
David Lubell
October 27, 2011
Thank you Coach Mazz for making me a better player and person. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. THS 1991
Stuart B. Schwartz,DPM
October 19, 2011
John Mazziotta was a patient of our office for many years. We spoke of college and NBA basketball, but most of all he spoke of his 3 children and their accomplishments , he was so very proud of his family. It has been about 15 years since seeing John ,but fortunately I have a good memory.
To the Mazziotta family, my sincere feelings of sympathy.
Dave Rabadan
October 19, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to Marjory and family on John's untimely passing. He was a teacher of mine at Bergen Catholic (Class of 1960) and later a colleague when he joined the faculty at Teaneck High School. His sense of humor was unique and he always had a quip or observation ready to lighten and liven conversation. His positive outlook was a hallmark of his approach to life. Often he made himself the target of his funny stories, laughing as hard as anyone, listening to his tales. It seemed to me he was always aware of the fact that our students were kids and that guiding them was the foundation of our profession. He has run a successful race.
Dave and Mary Rabadan
Paul Mount
October 19, 2011
A great coach and an even better man. Successful enough to be known statewide yet kind enough to say things like "have a nice weekend" to his history students at Teaneck. Condolences to the family.
Jim Clark (Class of 1961)
October 17, 2011
Reading the story of Coach Mazziotta and Coach Frank brought back some memories. I, too, was a student manager under the coach at Bergen Catholic. While I didn't go the major coaching route, I've been successful at the CYO level, particularly in the few years I lived in Ohio. He taught me basketball, but also how to treat players and get the most out of them. Sadly, I never had him in the classroom
Diane Massing
October 17, 2011
Mr Mazziotta was my favorite History Teacher at Teaneck High School. He was such a gentle & caring instructor. I didn't like History until Mr Mazziotta suggested some different reading materials to help me to enjoy what he loved so very much. I attending THS 75-78. My prayers are with his family during this time.
Bill Hayes
October 16, 2011
I grew up in St.Philip Neri in the BRONX. John was older than I, but was a legend in the school yard, a big quiet bear that commanded total respect. When I started playing ball at Iona, who did I run into, but John. I then started teaching and coaching in South Jersey, then came to Pascack Valley. The first person to call me was John and for the next two years we had a pre season scrimmage, which helped me turn the program around. When I decided to leave Pascack and come to Massachusetts, John again called to recommend Mike O"Brien for the job . As usual he was right on the marker. John, A class act in all aspects of life.
James Kelly
October 15, 2011
Coach Maz was a great mentor and teacher during my years at THS 72-75.Mr Mazziotta helped me through my first years at THS. Having just moved from the Bronx he showed me alot of kindness. He was the reason that I also involved myself in youth sports for the last 30 years. May God Bless you Coach and your family!
Jim Kelly THS 75
Roger Nettune
October 15, 2011
Coach Mazz was a young college graduate who took the reins at Bergen Catholic in its embryonic stages of football and basketball. He taught all students in the classroom and on the athletic fields (and court) a plethora of values we can all teach our children (and grandchildren) today. Our entire community will miss him until we meet again.
Michael J O'Donnell
October 15, 2011
Coach Maz was a class act. He always had a kind word for anyone he met on a daily basis. I met him through Coach Mike O'Brien, who always gave credit Coach Maz about his success as a coach and person.
Heaven will be a better place with him, here on on earth, we all will miss him dearly.
Mel Henderson
October 15, 2011
My wife and I send our deepest sympathy to the Mazziotta family. John was indeed an inspiration and role model for the young people whose lives he touched.
October 15, 2011
Rest in Peace you will be missed. Coach Mazz was a great individual full of laughter even early morning in Homeroom. Thank you his family for sharing him with us. Dawn Fortune Calzada Class of 76
October 15, 2011
Rest in peach Coach!!! You were the best coach THS ever had!! You will be missed.....NBG THS class of 80
Karen Eccles Shropshire
October 15, 2011
To the Mazziotta family, I am so sorry for your loss, you have my deepest condolences. I graduated from THS in 1975. Coach Mazziotta was one of my all time favorite teachers. I can remember his history class so clearly, which is a testament to what a great teacher he was. When I look back fondly on my HS years, he is the one of the teachers that always comes to my mind. May you find comfort in knowing that he positively influenced so many students and was so well loved.
Dabble Garner
October 14, 2011
My condolences to Coach Mazziotta's family. I played for him at THS 1972-74, he was one of a kind and I will always be grateful for God allowing my path to cross his. May the family find comfort from these words of scripture;
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. JOHN 14:1-3
Peace and blessings to the family.
Rest In Peace Coach
E CJ
October 14, 2011
Rest in Peace Coach Mazz - You were the best coach and history teacher. Even though I never played basketball you coached me to stay in school rather than quitting when I was ready to give up .
ECJ - Class of 1992 ( Teaneck High School )
James Hartman
October 14, 2011
I had the good fortune to be a player for Coach Mazziotta when Teaneck won the Bergen County Jamboree for the first time in 1979. My condolences as well as those of Harvey James and Hermond “Scoot” Palmer, who were also members of that 1979 team, go out to the family
James Hartman
Lisa Freeman McCarthy
October 14, 2011
Anyone who attended THS when Coach Mazz was there is surely feeling the loss. He was a great man, a great teacher and a great coach.
Ed Armento
October 14, 2011
Coach Mazziotta was the foundation upon which the great football and basketball teams of Bergen Catholic High School were built. Although he is gone, he will always be remembered lovingly by those of us who were so very fortunate to have learned from him the truly important essentials of athletic competition: integrity, loyalty, discipline and trust. He was our coach, teacher and counsellor, who helped shape our young lives with respect for each other. May his legacy live on in those of us whose lives he has touched. Rest well coach.
JOHN DIRENZO
October 14, 2011
GOD REST HIS SOUL COACH DIRENZO BERGEN CATHOLIC HS. 1972 TO PRESENT
John Stenson
October 13, 2011
My family's sympathies go out to the Mazziotti family on their loss. I played ball for Mr. Mazziotti at Bergen Catholic. Yes. I learned the game of basketball from him. But, more importantly, there were a countless number of "life's lessons" that were learned from his tutelage. For a long time now, John Mazziotti has been one of the heroes of my life.
From John P. Stenson (BC Class of '61)and Family
October 13, 2011
My prayers go out to the Mazziotta family. John was a great mentor to me both as a basketball coach and a history teacher at Teaneck High School. My love and prayers to the family
Curtis March
.
Randall Wilburn
October 13, 2011
My prayers are with the Mazziotta family. Mr. Mazz was a great man and an excellent teacher. May God's peace rest upon you and your family.
October 13, 2011
"Class, humility, gentleness and kindness. Having known "Coach Mazz" for 50 years, as his student, player, golf partner and friend, I can NEVER remember anyone having a negative word or thought about him. What a legacy! Jack Bison (Mahwah,NJ)
Lou LaPerch
October 13, 2011
John was a beloved friend for sixty five years. Having met John on the outdoor basketball courts in the Bronx in 1946. In those days, every Saturday some of the best basketball players both high school and college gathered to play half court games all day. John was probably the most outstanding player along with Tommy Kearns who was a star and All American at North Carolina University. A highlight of my life was when John Mazziotta, Jack DeSalvo and I won a day long tournament against all these outstanding athletes. After I married, John would babysit for my infant children when we lived on Briggs Avenue in the Bronx. His sister Betty was best friends with my now deceased wife Barbara. He was a man that has gone to his grave never having an enemy or a person that would have a person say a bad thing about him. He had no enemies. His sense of humor, gentle ways for such a big guy were some of his best attributes. I contacted two of his boyhood friends, Donald Kurtz and Ed Roach who both knew him longer. They were devastated as I am by his passing. We all felt the same way about John, a loving dear friend. God rest his soul and bring peace to his family. Lou LaPerch
October 13, 2011
What a great man. Our family was so blessed when Hanna married our brother Robert. We not only welcomed a great sister in law but were introduced to her family, especially the patriarch John Mazziotta. It was a pleasure to get to know such a wonderful man. The Mulchrones
Gerald Sherlock
October 13, 2011
Bye Mazzy you were my favorite of all my parents friends.God never created a nicer person. Enjoy your eternal rest and the ultimate championship.
Lover Gerald Sherlock
Charlie Flynn
October 13, 2011
Peace and prayers for the Mazziotta Family...we've lost a "giant" of a man, but look at his legacy! I am so blessed to have known your father...
TED NOBLE
October 13, 2011
WE ARE VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. WE WILL GREATLY MISS OUR COACH AND TEACHER
BERGEN CATHOLIC CLASS OF 1961
TED-JOE-JOHN-JIM-BOB-TOM-DAVE-ROGER-ED-GEORGE NOBLE-MELE-STENSON-LUCIE-VANHORN-SHERIDAN-BELLI-NETTUNE-ARMENTO-LENORMAND
October 13, 2011
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