Nino S. Secchi, a Greenwich native and a former newspaperman and columnist for Greenwich and Port Chester, NY newspapers died on Jan 31, 2018. He was 91 years old.
Mr. Secchi was born on August 1, 1926 at Greenwich Hospital, the son of the late Giuseppe and Maria Luigia Secchi and husband of the late Elene Salerno Secchi who predeceased him in 2010.
He graduated from Greenwich High School in 1944 and was active in sports playing varsity baseball on the Greenwich High School Cardinal teams for three years and with local teams in this area.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in December 1944 and received his boot camp training at Camp Wheeler, in Atlanta, GA. He was assigned to the staff of the adjutant general department in Manila, Philippine Islands where he prepared and processed orders transferring Army personnel with battle experience back to the United States.
While in Manila, he played baseball on the 21st Replacement Division team which faced minor and major league players including Early Wynn, Max Macon, Red Barrett, Kent Peterson and Joe Ginsberg.
Following his discharge from the Army he took advantage of the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Bridgeport where he received his Bachelor Degree majoring in journalism. He joined the Greenwich Time as sports editor for three years then moved to the Port Chester Item where he continued his experience as sports editor and columnist, eventually serving as suburban editor of the Item. In those days, the newspaper covered the Rye, Harrison and Greenwich areas in addition to Port Chester.
While employed by the Item he organized the Port Chester Golf Tournament which enjoyed six decades playing on Rye, Harrison and Greenwich courses.
In those post World War II days, he played baseball for the Red Oaks, a Chickahominy team that won several championships playing in the Sunday afternoon Greenwich leagues and in the Twilight Baseball League. The Red Oaks featured local players who played minor league baseball. These leagues included teams from Greenwich, Port Chester, Rye, Byram, Cos Cob and Old Greenwich.
Mr. Secchi entered the corporate world in 1960 with American Machine & Foundry headquartered in Greenwich where he was responsible for a corporate newsletter, public relations and communications. In 1962 he joined International Paper Company and later was promoted to vice president and director of human resources for one of its divisions.
Mr. Secchi concluded his working career with Consolidated Edison in New York City where he headed its pension department and directed the company’s 401K plans for both management and non-exempt employees. Following his retirement, he re-joined the Greenwich Time as a columnist covering community events in the western end of town, specifically the Byram, Chickahominy, Glenville and Pemberwick areas.
Greenwich community activities were always an important aspect of his life. He played an active role in the operation and administration of the Griffith E. Harris Golf Club which originally was called the Bruce Memorial Golf Club in 1965. He served on the Representative Town Meeting for 14 years representing Chickahominy as well as serving as an alternate on the Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission.
Mr. Secchi was a former member and treasurer of the Greenwich Republican Town Committee and a District 3 leader. He later served on the Selectman’s Advisory Committee when the town’s municipal golf course was in its infancy. He was a long-time member and two-time president of the Greenwich Old Timers Athletic Association, and was honored by the Old Timers in 2001.
He was one of the founders of the Chickahominy Reunion Association whose mission is to raise money for scholarships for Greenwich High School graduates who attended Hamilton Avenue School. Several years ago he served as organizer of the successful golf tournament held annually at The Griff to raise money for scholarship programs for Chickahominy students. The group also supports the Alzheimer Fund and needy families.
Mr. Secchi is survived by three children, Steve of Danbury; a daughter Lou Ann Giunta (Robert) of Westport; and another son, Joseph (Toni) of Greenwich; three granddaughters, Taryn Walsh (Danny), Tristen Sechi and Taylor Sechi, as well as two great-grandchildren. He also leaves his nephew Rick (Peggy) Petrone of Greenwich and numerous other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Victoria Petrone, who died in 2008.
Calling hours will be at the Castiglione Funeral Home, 544 Old Post Rd #3, Greenwich, CT on Friday February 9, 2018 from 4:00pm-7:00pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 10, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Roch Church, 10 St. Roch Ave, Greenwich. Burial will be private. Contributions may be made in Mr. Secchi’s memory to St. Roch Church, 10 St. Roch Ave, Greenwich, CT 06830.