It was with great sadness I noted the passing of Joe Vecellio last week at age 84.I hadn’t seen him in years, but it was my privilege to have worked with him during my time at WESB radio, broadcasting his basketball games at Bradford Central Christian for the 1970-71 through ’72-’73 seasons.

He was a man of exceedingly high character. And, as a coach, unflappable though, at rare times, the officiating would get to him.

I really liked Joe personally and admired and respected him knowing full well that working at a parochial school he wasn’t compensated nearly as well as his contemporary public school teachers/coaches. He was loyal to BCC until the high school closed and finished his career teaching history at Otto-Eldred.

I know that his students at O-E were fortunate to have had Joe as their instructor and, for me, I was proud to call him a friend.

Chuck Pollock, Allegany, N.Y.