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Mostly Cloudy Little League honors fallen coach
Steven Giacobello, 45, died last September
Central Nassau Little League hosted its annual parade last Saturday to kick off the season, as hundreds of Little Leaguers, coaches and parents marched from the intersection of Lake Lane and Carman Avenue in Salisbury to the ball fields on Salisbury Park Drive.
This year’s parade honored Steven Giacobello, a former coach and equipment operator for the Town of Oyster Bay who died last September after he was struck by a car while on duty. Giacobello, of Westbury, was 45.
Giacobello’s widow, Angela, and three daughters, Stephanie, Heather and Michelle were given a memorial plaque and flowers in honor of Steven, who coached in the league for several years. The three girls are students in the East Meadow School District.
League Commissioner Joe Aloi said Giacobello was a beloved figure in the community who especially enjoyed coaching his daughters. “He was the first one, if I walked in the park, he’d say hello to you,” Aloi said. “He was about the kids, and loved coaching the girls.”
Giacobello coached as recently as last season, Aloi said.
Joe Vecchione, who coached with Giacobello, said he was the one who dragged Giacobello into coaching several years ago. According to Vecchione, Giacobello was reluctant at first because of his busy work schedule. “But then he found the time and committed to it,” Vecchione said. “And became one of the most lovable coaches and a good friend of mine.”
Giacobello was known for his tattoos and long beard, and often sported a bandana. Vecchione, who also has a long beard, said, “They called us the ZZ Tops of Little League,” he joked.
“He’d always do a favor for you,” Vecchione added. “An all around great guy and great father.”
