LYNN – The 70th anniversary of Harry Agganis’ death was Friday. The Pine Grove Cemetery Commission (PGCC) held an event at his grave site to honor Agganis and share memories.
A legendary Lynn Classical, Boston University and Red Sox standout, Agganis died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism at 26 years old. He was batting .315 and the starting first baseman for the Red Sox when he became sick.
PGCC Chairman Arthur Dulong welcomed the group of roughly 15 people who came out for Friday’s event, speaking highly of “good ol’ Aristotle over here” (referring to Agganis’ real first name) before passing it off to David Solimine Sr.
“I think you all know (Agganis) stayed in the Boston area (to play pro baseball) for one reason: his love for his mother (Georgia), a wonderful woman. I can remember all those years after he died, she’d sit right here in a chair all Memorial Day. It lasted all day long,” Solimine said.
He added that “on a lighter note,” when they were young kids, Solimine and friends would affectionately call Agganis “Harry Agony” when he would complain.
“He’s a great guy, and it’s a wonderful memory, so thank you for being here,” Solimine said.
Dulong introduced the next person to speak, Basil Manias, who “used to play ball with Harry.” Manias spoke fondly about his time at Lynn Classical with Agganis, noting he “never was anywhere near as good” as Agganis.
Peter Loomos then praised his old friend for his incredible punts before mentioning that Agganis was “a classy guy, complete gentleman (and) great athlete.”
Jon Thibault, the mayor’s chief of staff and a BU graduate, said he constantly heard about the legend who was Agganis, and that he “felt that close fondness to be able to walk that same campus that he did, and it’s an honor to be here today. Thank you for keeping his legacy alive in a ceremony like this.”
Paul Halloran, co-director of the Agganis All-Star Games, spoke about how the Agganis Foundation’s mission remains the same after 70 years: “to give out college scholarships in his name.”
He added that “we just finished Agganis Week this week” and “gave out another 12 scholarships.”
“Every kid who gets a scholarship now gets $2,000 for each year they’re in college, so it’s renewable, unlike most scholarships. Through this year, it’s 1,074 kids and $2.58 million,” Halloran said. “We like to think that one of the main reasons his legacy is still going is in those 1,074 kids.”
Dulong said, “I find it so appropriate that he still hears the athletes from Fraser Field, from old Manning Bowl and from our new stadium. It’s wonderful, and I think it’s equidistant from Barry Park to the Meadow where English would play. The geographical center of the City of Lynn, believe it or not, is Wendy’s, so he’s pretty close. But I thought that was so wonderful that at night, he probably heard all of the cheers and just appreciated the fact that he is still so close . . .
“These kids that play in sports realize that not everybody can be Harry Agganis, but everybody can be a teammate – and teammates last a long time.”
