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R. John Ottaviani, 85 April 16, 1939 - January 21, 2025

Date of Funeral

January 27, 2025

HAVERHILL – It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rudolph John Ottaviani, 85, husband of Mary Ellen (Winters) Ottaviani of Haverhill. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 surrounded by family. He and Mary Ellen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past August.

 

John was a lifelong Hillie, born in Haverhill, the son of Rudolph and Sarah Ottaviani. He was a graduate of Haverhill High School, Class of 1957, and was a member of the 1955 State Championship football team. He then continued his education at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he played football for the Minutemen. After graduating college, John became a physical education teacher for the Haverhill Public Schools, spending 36 years at Haverhill High School where he was also an accomplished track coach and football coach. John was awarded the 1980 Boston Globe All Scholastic Coach of the Year. He was known affectionately throughout Haverhill as “Coach O,” John served as the Athletic Director for Haverhill High School from 1983 to 1996. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2017, he was inducted into the Haverhill High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

 

John had many interests over his 85 years. One of his true passions was long-distance running, completing 10 consecutive Boston Marathons, among other marathons. His personal best was 2:43.He loved the beach, going out to his favorite restaurants and hanging out on his deck with his family. He enjoyed traveling and went on many trips to Europe, the Caribbean and River Cruises. He also loved tailgating at college football games and attending concerts, sporting events and any place with live music. He was the founder of the Haverhill Track Invitational (renamed the Ottaviani Invitational). Every spring, he looked forward to golfing in the Penta Tournament and participating in the Baldi Fun Run with his family. After retirement, his greatest passion became being grandfather to his 5 grandchildren. He spent hours watching them play golf, football, and hockey, run track and cross country. Playing gin rummy with his grandchildren was a favorite hobby and he also enjoyed showing them his pin collection. Gramps especially loved sharing stories with the kids and listening to them tell their own stories after a game, race or meet.

 

In addition to his wife, Mary Ellen, John is survived by his five children, Mary Sue Ottaviani and Cara Ottaviani of Haverhill, Ann McKeown and her husband Kevin of Pembroke, John Ottaviani and his wife Cynthia of North Andover, and Kathleen Foley and her husband Michael of Billerica. He is also survived by his brother Steven Ottaviani. He was predeceased by his brother George Ottaviani. He leaves his five beloved grandchildren, Jake and Nicholas J. Ottaviani, Brady McKeown and Lily-Anne and Maeve Foley. John was also an uncle to many nieces and nephews.

 

The Ottaviani family would like to thank the health care workers from All Care (John, Amanda and Kayla), along with the staff at High Pointe House in Haverhill for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers consider donating to the Haverhill Track Team, Haverhill High School, c/o Michael Maguire, 137 Monument St. Haverhill, MA 01832.

 

ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, January 26 from 2PM until 5PM at the Haverhill High School Gymnasium, 137 Monument Street, Haverhill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 27 at 10:00AM at St. James Church of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 185 Winter Street, Haverhill. Burial to follow at Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main St. Haverhill. Please visit www.comeaufuneral.com or Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook.

 

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, January 26 from 2PM until 5PM at the Haverhill High School Gymnasium, 137 Monument Street, Haverhill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 27 at 10:00AM at St. James Parish of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 185 Winter Street, Haverhill. Burial to follow at Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main St. Haverhill. Please visit www.comeaufuneral.com or Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook.

 

Condolences(16)

  1. Anonymous says
    January 24, 2025 at 12:57 am

    It is with a heavy heart to hear Coach O has passed. He was well liked and respected. He will surely be missed.

    Dawn Leveille Gibbs

  2. Tom S. says
    January 24, 2025 at 2:08 pm

    So sorry for your loss to the Ottaviani family, and to his Haverhill community. Rest easy Coach O!

  3. Lindsey says
    January 24, 2025 at 2:46 pm

    Cara and family- your dad sounds like an amazing man! What a great list of accomplishments! I am sending all my love and healing thoughts to your whole family during this difficult time.

  4. Shelly Kastner says
    January 24, 2025 at 3:08 pm

    I only got to know Coach Ottaviani through the eyes of his daughter Cara and it’s apparent that he was one of a kind as a father, husband, coach and neighbor. I offer my condolences to Cara and the entire family. Thank you for sharing your stories of such an inspiring man.

    Shelly

  5. Jimmy grant says
    January 24, 2025 at 3:44 pm

    Coach O may you rest in peace. You brought out the best in athletes through your coaching skills. God speed to you in the kingdom. The legend rests!

  6. David Sullivan says
    January 24, 2025 at 4:37 pm

    In the acknowledgements section of my PH.D. dissertation in 1997, I wrote: “One individual from my youth I wish to thank is Mr. John Ottaviani, my first track coach, who taught me about hard work and success.” Thank you again Coach O., and may you rest in peace.

  7. Julie Nolet Berthiaume says
    January 24, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    Coach O’s legacy is immeasurable. I am so sorry and remembering you all in my prayers.

  8. someone says
    January 25, 2025 at 10:39 am

    Ann. Sorry to hear about your dad. Hope all is well in your world.

  9. Anonymous says
    January 26, 2025 at 1:28 am

    I’m sorry to hear of Coach O’s passing. A great loss for his family and the Haverhill High School community. I knew John from his time as a competitive road racer. He was a fierce competitor and his example influenced many.
    J. A. Boyle

  10. J.A. Boyle says
    January 26, 2025 at 1:31 am

    I am sorry to hear of Coach O’s passing. This is a great loss to his family and the whole Haverhill H. S. community. I knew John from his time in the road racing community. He was a fierce competitor and an example to many.
    J. A. Boyle

  11. Dan Dlugosz says
    January 26, 2025 at 8:22 am

    My heartfelt condolences to the Ottaviani family on Coach Ottaviani’s passing.

    He was my PE teacher at Tilton School nearly 60 years ago, and my fondest memory back then was him taking our class over to Swasey Field to teach us football fundamentals while also trying to identify future Hillie players. Our family moved to a nearby community shortly thereafter, but I always followed the football fortunes of HHS because of him.

    Take solace in all the wonderful memories your have of him over the years, and may God’s love help to provide you comfort during this difficult time.

  12. Peter Kitsos says
    January 26, 2025 at 1:43 pm

    There are no words to describe what Coach meant to many of his friends and hundreds of athletes that he coached.. I was fortunate enough to know Coach as a student as a coach and as a friend. Whether it was the NCAA basketball tournaments that we attended all over the east coast. which were captured in his camera so we could relive them and be harassed by him. The Umass football games we attended because UMass was so dear to his heart or the legendary golf rounds that were always discussed during our Friday get togethers, coach always brought a smile to our face. Coach you were a loyal friend, a mentor and someone I always looked up to. Your sound advice along with the cheat sheet of the UMass fight song so we could sing it on your deck during the many retirement parties will always be cherished. Rest in peace my friend you will be missed .

  13. EILEEN C ROCHE says
    January 26, 2025 at 6:19 pm

    My deepest sympathy to Mary Ellen and her family. We worked together, Mary Ellen at Hunking Middle School. I was a long term substitute for a grade 6 class. You were so lovely and helpful to me. Your husband was truly an iconic coach and educator. You both hsve given much to the Haverhill community. God bless.

  14. April Sciacca says
    January 26, 2025 at 7:08 pm

    I have many happy memories of John O and his family and our many Christmases together. He will be well remembered. Rest in peace.

  15. sheila says
    January 29, 2025 at 12:35 am

    sending prayers

  16. Coach Rick Battistini says
    February 1, 2025 at 11:45 pm

    Deepest sympathy to Coach O’s family. I learned so much from being on his infamous track teams in the early 70’s that I used in 40+ yrs of successfully coaching Hillies and other coaching assignments.
    RIP Coach!

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