JuJu Mucciaccio
Anthony Paul "JuJu" Mucciaccio Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1938 Dedham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 2025 (age 86) Dedham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Recreation director |
| Parent(s) | Anthony Mucciaccio, Rose Mucciaccio |
Anthony Paul "JuJu" Mucciaccio Jr. (January 10, 1938 – January 1, 2025) was the long-time recreation director in Dedham, Massachusetts. He was described by Town Clerk Paul Munchbach as "a Dedham icon" and someone who "dedicated his whole life to the town."[1]
Personal life
[edit]Mucciaccio was born on January 10, 1938, to Anthony, a stone mason, and Rose Mucciaccio on East Street in Dedham, Massachusetts.[2][1] He had four younger brothers: Robert, William, Thomas, and Gerald Mucciaccio.[2] He got his nickname, JuJu, from his childhood attempts to pronounce the "choo choo" sounds of the nearby trains going to Dedham station.[1]
He graduated from Dedham High School and later attended Bentley College.[2] He was fat during high school and lost nearly 100 pounds his senior year.[1] He volunteered with youth sports, though he didn't play himself, and at the encouragement of Isabel Dolan, the town's first female recreation commissioner, he became a recreation counsellor.[1]
Mucciaccio served in the United States Marine Corps for three years.[2][1] He had a long-time girlfriend, but never married and had no children, but considered all the children of Dedham to be his family.[1]
Career
[edit]
After Proposition 2½ led to the elimination of the Recreation Director position in 1980, Muccaccio took over the position for a year pro bono.[1] He was then hired full time until his retirement in 2010.[1][2] He was particularly involved with the Dedham Pool, which he helped save after its closure in 1982 due to budget cuts.[2][1] He led a campaign to reopen the pool, including raising $30,000 by starting and organizing Dedham Day at Barnes Memorial Park.[2][1] Control of the pool was then transferred from the Dedham Public Schools to the Recreation Department.[1][a]
In 1976, Mucciaccio founded the Dedham Clipper Swim Team.[2] He was actively involved in teaching swim lessons, officiating swim meets, and interacting with the children and families who participated on the team.[2] In 1996, the pool was renamed the Anthony P. Mucciaccio "JuJu's Place" Pool in recognition of his efforts.[2][1][3] Mucciaccio said the renaming, and the appreciation night when it was announced, was "the biggest thing of my life."[1]
During his tenure as director, a skate park was opened in 1998, but it closed in 2004 after use dwindled.[4] A party for Shad Araby's 75th birthday was a fundraiser to build it.[5][6]
Mucciaccio was also involved in organizing the Dedham Flag Day Parade for many years, even after his retirement.[2][1] He played an important role in coordinating the parade, and his presence was a familiar sight, often seen waving from the final parade truck.[2][1] Additionally, he was the founder and organizer of Dedham Day, an annual event at Barnes Memorial Park.[1]
Hundreds attended his multiple retirement parties in 2010,[1] including one at Moseley's on the Charles.
Dedham High Boosters and other contributions
[edit]Mucciaccio was an active member and president of the Dedham High Boosters club, supporting Dedham High School's sports programs.[2][1] He helped organize various events, such as athlete banquets, and raised funds for scholarships and sports initiatives.[2] He was involved in running the Boosters Concession Stand at Dedham High School football games and organizing Bingo nights, which attracted a large number of participants.[2][1]
Mucciaccio managed Dedham's Italian-American Social Club for 23 years.[1] He was said to have "unflagging energy and uncanny ability to get others to volunteer for or give money to his beloved causes."[1]
Death
[edit]Mucciaccio died on January 1, 2025, at the age of 86.[2] His funeral took place at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, with a Funeral Mass held at St. Mary's Church in Dedham.[2] He was buried at Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham.[2]
Notes
[edit]- ^ The pool was built in 1975, when the state required the schools to add additional activities to its physical education program and the town voted for a pool instead of a hockey rink.[3] The state paid for 50% of the $700,000 construction.[3] The windows on the pool had been boarded up, and the town was preparing to fill it in with sand before Mucciaccio saved it.[1][3] He led a number of fundraisers over nine months to keep it open.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Seltz, Joanna (October 28, 2010). "Dedham Rec retiree staying busy". The Boston Globe. p. P4. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "ANTHONY PAUL "JUJU" MUCCIACCIO Jr". Legacy.com. January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Smith, Shawn Michael (January 6, 2002). "Roof over pool needs repair". The Boston Globe. p. 39.
- ^ Cushman Carroll, Elaine (October 28, 2004). "Skate Park Closed". The Boston Globe. p. 4 Globe South.
- ^ "Town of Dedham Master Plan" (PDF). April 2009. p. 182. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Spada, Nick and White, Tracey (May 13, 2024). Shad Araby 100th Birthday Tree Rededication- May 13, 2024. Dedham High School: DedhamTV. Retrieved May 14, 2024.