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Carlo Pirani Obituary
Carlo "Coach" Pirani earned a Master's degree in education and served in the Marine Corps. Carlo influenced the lives of numerous students and athletes through his work as a coach, teacher and mentor at Catholic and Bishop Byrne High schools during the '60s and '70s. He is credited with bringing the sport of wrestling to West Tennessee and was privileged to coach many champions. He spent the last 25 years of his working career in Human Resources at FedEx, where he won multiple awards and commendations for the programs he developed.
A parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church, Carlo was a model of Christian virtue and personal integrity. He demanded a certain amount of respect, which he in turn gave to all who earned it. He profoundly influenced so many lives with his unique ability to push people into becoming the best possible version of themselves. He will be sorely missed and forever remembered.
Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue on Tuesday, June 22, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 23, at 10:00 AM, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with reception to follow. Graveside committal services will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial Donations can be sent to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8018 or online at www.givenow.lls.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carlo Pirani
Sponsored by Memphis Funeral Home - Poplar.
Tom Thillen
July 1, 2021
I was blessed to have Coach Pirani come into my life my freshman year at Catholic High. He was our freshman baseball coach (that´s right baseball) and I was so afraid of him because of reputation for being tough. That turned quickly into respect that I have to this day. There are so many things and stories I would love to tell but suffice it to say, Coach is still an inspiration to me 43 later. He will be missed!
Bubba Wesche
June 23, 2021
Betty Ann and sons,
So very sorry to hear about the loss of Carlo. He was a true friend and mentor to me. So many good memories from our coaching days.. I wanted to come to show my respect but I am not feeling good today. But you are in my thoughts and prayers
Bubba Wesche
Trentwood Cobb
June 22, 2021
I am sadden, yet celebrating the passing away of Carlo. He and I were co-workers at FedEx in the Human Resource Development. We had had several conversations...business and leisure. In addition to being very professional, he had a great sense of humor. Carlo and I facilitated a training session for Senior Managers in London. Again, his professionalism and expertise was very apparent to the members of management and we had a very exciting and successful training class. Our rental car was different from those in the States in that the steering wheel and driver's seat were obviously on the right or opposite side of the car. The same was also true with the freeway and streets. We pondered this phenomime briefly and Carlo's coaching skills came into play. He had a game plan that worked and we had fun maneuvering and laughing while driving along the streets in London. We also had an opportunity to visit a castle while in London and it was simply amazing. Carlo was/is a good man.
I will miss my friend. His friendly smile and laugh is contagious and it is embedded into my brain.
To the family I pray that as the Lord welcomes Carlo "home" to perfect peace, I pray He also comforts you in a way that brings rest to your heart and strength for this time of transition...Stay safe and be blessed.
Trent Cobb
Co-Worker
John Viglietti
June 22, 2021
Coach, preceeded my cousin Silvia and was a hard working loving example, taught my father Jack and uncle Rocky. commitment and is a real vocation. They do it because they love. Whole heartedly, that is such a beautiful legacy.
Judy Accardi
June 21, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. My husband, Mike, thought the world of Coach Pirani. Am praying for all your family
Mike Cahill
June 20, 2021
Betty Ann and Family,
I was saddened to hear of Carlo's passing. His involvement and commitment to others and the lives he influenced best describes the man and is a testament to what a good person he was.
Other than to say hello, I hadn't really talked to him. That all changed near the end of Freshman football season when he asked me how much i weighed. Five weeks later and 12 lbs. lighter I was on the wrestling team. It probably won't be long before he organizes wrestling in Heaven and puts together enough teams to schedule a tournament.
For myself, as well as many, many others he will always be "Coach"
With sympathy for all of you and respect for him.
Mike Cahill
David James
June 20, 2021
I first got to know Coach Carlo Pirani when I decided to represent Bishop Byrne in the Memphis City Boxing Tournament my freshman year in high school. I thought, this man intensely believes I am the best boxer in the world. I remember before the championship he looked me closely in the eyes and lit a fire inside of me to fight and win. We won the championship by technical knockout in the first round. My sophomore year in high school I decided to join the wrestling team partly because I knew coach Pirani “believed in me”. Before each match he would say, “Take him down, break him down, and work him to a pin.” Even though I lost almost every match my first year, he always believed that I could win. My senior year of wrestling I was undefeated but lost two matches in one day. After the second loss he privately pull me aside and gave me strong words of encouragement, referencing Dan Gable, Olympic wrestling champion. That week of practice though, I was still sulking in my recent defeats. He saw that I was moving slowly while wrestling and began loudly and strongly challenging me to start wrestling hard again. Several weeks later at the state tournament it was a great joy to jump into coach Pirani arms after winning the state championship.
I thank God for putting coach Pirani in my life. Without him, high school would have been very difficult. He taught me to believe in myself, to never to give up, always give your best effort, dream big dreams, to work hard in practice, and always greet others with a big warm smile on your face. What an amazing life Coach Pirani has lived. We will miss you and look forward to seeing you again.
Betty Ann what a beautiful, loving wife you have been for Carlo. We all thank you for sharing your wonderful husband with us. Carlo, Andy, and John we can see Carlo in you all and know that he is very proud of you. Family, I am praying that God’s grace and comfort be with you all during this difficult time. I look forward to seeing you all when I am able to get back to America.
Love you,
David James “Termite”
Mike Dion & Family
June 19, 2021
On behalf of my family, we are sadden to hear of Carlos passing. His example of character and high integrity influenced countless individuals. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Betty Ann and the boys during this difficult time.
Mike Whalen
June 19, 2021
To the Pirani family, so sorry for your loss. Coach touched so many lives. Not just those he coached but also all those we competed against. He was a stand up guy through and through. Some of us were limited in our athletic abilities but he worked hard to make us the best competitors and the best men we could be.
Vinney Strong
June 19, 2021
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Chuck Rogers
June 19, 2021
Coach was an amazing man, leader, and friend. I was a junior at BBHS in 1974 when my grandfather (my dad’s dad) passed away. I was just a lowly manager for the sports teams but my parents supported me fully by becoming involved heavily in the booster club. My grandfather’s visitation was the night of our junior prom. Many in my family were impressed when so many members of my class, showed up dressed in their prom finery to pay their respects. What impressed me the most was when Carlo came through the door. He stopped by on his way out of town to take his dad to Birmingham. He walked over to the casket with his arm around my dad’s shoulders and stood there as my dad told him about my grandfather’s life. When I left BBHS life happened. In the blink of an eye it was 2013. My wife and I attended the Hall of Fame banquet. After the ceremony was over there were lines of people waiting to congratulate the inductees. We waited patiently and finally we got to where Carlo was standing. He called me by name and said “how are your wonderful parents”? By that time their health wasn’t that good and I told him so. He asked me to give them his regards. That is the kind of man Coach was. I can see him in glory now with the master’s arm around his shoulders telling him what a difference he made for so many. I am so sorry that I won’t be able to be there on Wednesday to honor him. But you all are in my prayers and I wanted you to know what he meant to me. “Proud to be a Red Knight”
Bill Wilson
June 19, 2021
Prior to both of us working at FedEx, Carlo and I met as teachers in the Catholic school system during the mid 1970’s.
Carlo and I worked together at FedEx
for about 12 years. We had many conversations about high school athletics in Memphis. Carlo was very passionate about wrestling and some of the teams he had at Bishop Byrne.
I was a Christian Brothers graduate and Carlo graduated from Catholic High. We had many conversations about the good old days of that rivalry.
I was so sorry to hear of Carlo’s passing. “Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind.”
May God bless Carlo’s family.
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