Arthur Thomas Valicenti, Jr.

Arthur Thomas Valicenti, Jr., age 87, died Thursday, January 23, 2020. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Viorine Anne (Robohm); his son Ron and wife Janet; his daughter Sherry and husband David Banks; his son Dale and partner Marie Shadduck; and his grandchildren Morgan and Olivia Valicenti, Dempsey Banks and Nicolas, Daniel, and Michael Valicenti.

The only child of Arthur T. Valicenti and Edna Tuttle, he was a lifelong resident of Weymouth, MA. After graduating from Weymouth High School, he attended Thayer Academy where he met an amazing assortment of friends, including Vi, the love of his life. After Thayer, he attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1955. Along with various social endeavors, he earned varsity letters in football, baseball, and hockey. He was the recipient of UNH’s Outstanding Athlete trophy his senior year. After graduation, Arthur served in the Air Force for two years pulling light duty while playing for the Air Force All Services football and baseball teams; He never got near an airplane, which was just as well.

A gifted natural athlete, he was drafted out of high school by MLB’s St. Louis Browns American League franchise. After his collegiate and service football came to an end, he was invited to try out with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.

In 1958, he began his career as a coach and teacher at Thayer Academy, eventually rising to Athletic Director. His football teams were dominating, none more so than the undefeated 1964 squad that did not allow a single point scored against them through the entire season. 1964 was one of six undefeated football teams he coached. His hockey teams were just as legendary, winning six ISL/NE Prep Championships and shepherding a multitude of players to college careers and beyond. His baseball teams had an overall record of 196-100, and in his later years, he also coached the golf team. He is a member of the Mass High School Coaches Hall of Fame for football, hockey, and baseball, along with the Thayer and UNH Athletic Halls of Fame.

On sabbatical from Thayer in 1986, he was an assistant coach of football and hockey at Bowdoin college under the legendary Sid Watson, the head coach presiding over their first winning team in 18 years.

While highly competitive in his field, athletic prowess was not the only skill Arthur sought to develop. Among the multitude of college and professional athletes he helped develop, some of his most prized pupils were those of more limited physical ability, who later personified the tenets of dedication, teamwork, toughness, mental acuity, and humility that he sought to instill. He could be tough, and he could, if he felt you had earned it, be tender.

He retired from Thayer in 1989 and devoted his time to golf, hunting, and haunting fields, rinks, and diamonds, mentoring his six grandchildren. He was a member of the Halifax Country Club and later enjoyed privileges at both the Pembroke Country Club and the Harmon Club.

A celebration of his life will be held on February 9, 2020, at 2PM, at The Center for Arts at Thayer Academy, 745 Washington Street, Braintree. All are invited. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to the Arthur Valicenti, Jr. ’51 Scholarship Fund.