Emanuel A. Merullo

merullo

Emanuel A. Merullo
(Coach/Teacher)


Generally Hall of Fame candidates fall into one of two categories: either they had an outstanding playing career or they were legendary head coaches of a particular sport. There is a third category and that is an individual whose presence was felt in a multitude of capacities both official and unofficial. Emanuel “Manny” Merullo is such a figure, and he is our next inductee into the Hall of Fame. Manny was raised in Massachusetts and graduated from East Boston High School in 1938. He attended The College of the Holy Cross where he lettered in both baseball and track and received his B.S. Then he earned his masters degree from Tufts University. Manny began his professional career as a math teacher and baseball coach at the Jesse Lee Academy before taking a job on the faculty of Danbury High School in 1949. At DHS Manny continued as a math teacher, and he coached track, football and baseball until 1961. He coached many notable athletes. In 1961 Manny became an assistant principal at DHS and gave up his coaching duties, but he continued to serve in many athletic capacities including the Connecticut Interscholastic Conference (CIAC) where he was chairman of the wrestling committee from 1970-1981. In 1969 he left Danbury to become principal at Bethel High School where he stayed in that position for twelve years. Manny was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army, and was married for 55 years to his wife, Eleanor. Manny’s contributions go beyond athletics as he has served in many civic and community organizations such as the Lion’s Club, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Chairman of the Planning Commission in Danbury and Vice- Chairman of Housatonic Area Regional Transit (HART)and the Danbury Common Council.