Charles Skeets Scioli

Charles Skeets Scioli, of Somerville, the most influential figure in New England amateur boxing, died Tuesday at the Spaulding Hospital in Cambridge. He was 97. Skeets was born and raised in the North End of Boston and lived his life in Somerville. The son of the late Francesco and the late Rose (Luongo) Scioli, Skeets was a plumbing and heating engineer for his professional life with the Portland Group of Medford for 55 years. Skeets life-long passion was for boxing. After a brief boxing career, Skeets became an administrator in amateur boxing earning the respect and admiration of those in boxing across the US. He was honored as Boxing USAs Man of the Century in 2000 for his dedication and service to amateur boxing. He held various administrative positions over 80 years with the Amateur Athletic Union and USA Boxing New England. Over the years he mentored and encouraged many young boxers who eventually became household names, including Mickey Ward, Marvin Hagler, Tony DeMarco and Rocky Marciano. A go-to guy for those in need, when Skeets learned of groups of young boxers in Africa who needed equipment and supplies for their rudimentary gymnasiums, it didnt take Skeets long to get them what they needed. Even though Skeets shared his big heart with those in need locally and around the world, he was never far from his family and closest friends. Whether it be a birthday, graduation wedding or holiday, Skeets was with all those he loved and will be missed by all who knew him. The beloved husband of the late Lucy (Clemente) Scioli, Skeets leaves his children: Frank and his wife Debra of North Reading, Samuel and his wife Jean of Brewster, Charles and his wife Mary Lou of Stoneham, David and his wife Ann of Delaware, OH and the late Linda Driscoll. He was a devoted father-in-law of Hank Driscoll of Somerville. He was a loving grandfather to Frank II, Matthew, Michael, Paul, Charles, Joseph Scioli, Maria Scioli Robelo, Lucille Scioli Vita, Anthony Scioli and Kerri Carbone. He was a loving great-grandfather to 14 great-grandchildren. The dear brother of the late Allesandra DAngelo, Antonetta Centrella, Anna DiTuno, Domenica DelPonte, Carmella Maietta|Pappandrea, Frank and Alexander Scioli, Skeets is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. His funeral procession gathered at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Saturday, Dec. 4, at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Clement Church, 71 Warner St., Medford, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours were Thursday 7-9 p.m., and Friday 2-4 and 7|9 p.m. Services concluded with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Skeets name to St. Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit online at www.dellorusso.net.