Robert E. Ghilani 75 of Natick, died Sunday December 22, 2013 at the Newton Wellesley Alzheimer’s Center.
He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (Moretti) Ghilani with whom he shared 47 years of marriage.
Born in Natick and a lifelong resident he was the son of the late Ernest and Mildred (Gerrity) Ghilani.
Mr. Ghilani was a dedicated Teacher and Coach at Natick High School for 40 years.
He began his teaching career in 1966 at Medfield Junior High and then went to Natick High School in 1967.
Mr. Ghilani was a Social Studies Teacher and later became Head of the Natick High School History Department.
He was a former Natick High Head Football Coach, Assistant Football Coach for 23 years, Assistant Baseball Coach for 24 years, Varsity Hockey Coach for 6 years, Assistant Wrestling Coach for 2 years, and served as Faculty Manager for 14 years.
Mr. Ghilani was honored in 1983 with the Massachusetts State Coaches Award, his football teams appeared four State Division One Super Bowls, and 16 Division One Baseball Tournaments.
He was also inducted to both the Natick High School Wall of Achievement and Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mr. Ghilani was a 1966 graduate of Boston State College where he was Captain of the Varsity Ice Hockey team, received his Master’s Degree in History from Framingham State College in 1972.
Mr. Ghilani attended the Natick Schools where he was a standout athlete and three sport Captain in Football, Baseball and Hockey.
He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving from 1958-1962.
Mr. Ghilani was devoted to his family and cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.
He enjoyed traveling to Aruba and summers on Cape Cod in Falmouth.
In addition to his wife he is survived by three sons Paul H. Ghilani and his wife Karen, Peter E. Ghilani and his wife Martha, Stephen R. Ghilani and his wife Priscilla all of Natick, two sisters Jean Flynn and her husband William of Dennisport, Judy Tulloch and her husband Robert of Clermont Florida, and nine grandchildren Nicole, Paige, Henry, Stephanie, Eric, Colin, Gina, Derek, and Sophia..
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Friday December 27 at 9:00 A.M. from the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home 4 Park Street, at Natick Common, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St Patrick’s Church at 10:00 A.M.
Visiting hours are Thursday December 26 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Interment St Patrick Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Callahan Center Continuing Connections 535 Union Ave Framingham MA 01702 or to the Natick High School Athletic Department 15 West Street Natick MA 01760