Obituary of Richard Domenic Fusco

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Richard Domenic Fusco, a retired Medford High School teacher and Vice Principal, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the age of 88. Dick was born to his parents Domenic and Elena (Trabucco) Fusco in Boston, MA. The Fusco family had roots in Italy, where Elena was born, so they settled in the North End where Dick lived early on in life. When Dick was a little older, the family moved to Medford, where Dick went on to attend Medford Public Schools.

In High School, Dick excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.  He gained interest from college teams and went on to play at Mississippi State and Middlebury College as an offensive tackle. He excelled even further in college and was selected by the New York Giants with the 214^th pick in the 1958 NFL Draft. Dick made the Giants roster and was able to play with some of the great Giants players like Frank Gifford and Charlie Conerly.  Dick had a career ending elbow injury in an early season game.  That year the Giants would go to the Championship, but lost in a tough overtime to the Baltimore Colts.  All was not for not, as he met his future wife Margaret “Marge” Dobis after a preseason game in Detroit at a Jazz club. His football career was over, but a new door opened as his life took a new direction and meaning with Marge at his side.  Later, Dick would be honored by his hometown as he was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the  Medford High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

After his football career, Dick went into education.  He taught math at Medford High School and then took the position of Assistant Principal. That was Dick’s real destiny.  He was there to help students become responsible adults.  He had a heartfelt desire to help his students become the best people they could be. He was a great motivator, mentor, and educator.  While at Medford High School, Dick loved his ability to positively impact lives of the young adults he taught. He inspired them to be confident in their work and lives. He did not look down on them, but viewed them almost as peers. Dick also loved to share his love of sports. Dick was an assistant football coach at Medford High, Norwood High, and Cambridge Latin.  He was the head coach at Millis High School as well.  In Burlington, he coached his sons’ Pop Warner football and Little League baseball teams, and his daughter’s Recreation basketball team.  Nothing made Dick happier than being recognized by former students and athletes and hearing their success stories in life.

Outside of teaching, Dick loved sports and traveling. He was a season ticket holder to the Boston Celtics, loving every chance he got to go watch Larry Bird. He enjoyed watching the Red Sox games on tv and watching the ponies at the track. He and Marge cherished the time they spent traveling together. They summered at their Cape home in North Eastham, and traveled to Florida and California, as well more exotic locations like Italy and Aruba.

Dick will be remembered as a gentle giant. He was a big bear, but a softy on the inside. He was a devoted man of faith, working as an usher at St. Margaret’s church, attending daily mass, while Marge sang and conducted the choir. He had numerous accolades and awards in his life, but he was most proud of being a loving husband to his wife Marge and supportive dad to his children. 

Dick was the loving husband to his wife Margaret “Marge” (Dobis) Fusco of Burlington. He was the beloved father to Ronald and his wife Antonette of Billerica, David of Billerica, and Christina Autiello and her husband Anthony of Dracut. He was the dear brother of Francis of San Diego, CA, and Elaine Gorman of Black Mountain, NC. Dick was the dear cousin of June Trigledas of Bradenton, FL. He was the proud grandfather of Ronald Jr., Valerie, Joseph, Jesse, Christopher and Spencer Fusco, and Marlaina Autiello.  He was only days away from becoming a great grandfather. 

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, May 15, 2023, from 4 to 7pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, May 16, at 10am at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, with a funeral procession leaving from the Sullivan Funeral Home at 9am. Burial at Pine Haven Cemetery, 84 Bedford Street, Burlington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Margaret's Church in St. Veronica’s Parish, www.stveronicama.org, (Dick’s church).

For online guestbook, tribute video, and service information, please visit www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.