Funeral Arrangements Announced for Former UConn Soccer Coach Joseph Morrone

From Small and Pietras Funeral Home.

Joseph J. Morrone, 79, of Mansfield, passed away, September 16, 2015 at his home with his family by his side.

He was predeceased by his wife Betty to whom he was married for 50 years.

He was born October 20, 1935 in Worcester, MA, son of the late Joseph and Clementine Morrone.

Joseph was a graduate of St. John’s High School, Shrewsbury, MA and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He was Head Soccer Coach, Middlebury College for 11 years; Former Head Soccer Coach at the University of Connecticut for 28 years; Founder of the Connecticut Soccer School for 25 years; Co-Founder of Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. While at UCONN, he led his team to the 1981 National Championship and was presented The National Soccer Coaches Association of America Honor Award.

He was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending summers at his beach house in Rhode Island and attending many sporting and musical events of his grandchildren throughout the years.

He is survived by his daughter Melissa Taintor and her husband Rob and their 3 children, Mitchell, Amy and Jared; his son Bill Morrone and his wife Jeanne and their 4 children, Nicholas and Joelle Morrone, Tyler and Kelsey Crosson; his son Joe and his wife Ellen and their 2 children Amber and Joey Morrone; his 2 great-grandchildren Kohen Taber and Annabelle Crosson. He is also survived by his loving and devoted companion of 7 years Gail Posten.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on both Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25, at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Rd. (Rte. 195) Tolland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 26, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 N Eagleville Rd. Storrs Mansfield, (please meet directly at church). Burial will follow at Storrs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to The Joseph J. and Elizabeth A. Morrone Endowed Soccer Scholarship at the The University of Connecticut c/o UCONN Foundation, 2390 Alunmi Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269 or S.UCONN.edu/Morrone.

For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com