(Editor’s Note: After more than three decades as a teacher and coach in the Andover school system, EJ Perry III announced his retirement recently. He is stepping down after 13 years as the Andover High varsity football head coach and wanted to send a message to the town that he has lived in his whole life and loves like no other.)
Dear Andover Community,
I want to take the time to thank the Superintendent, Magna Parvey; the athletic director, Wayne Puglisi; assistant athletic director Kerry Cashman; and my current principal at West Elementary School, Dr. Joanne King. It has been a privilege to teach and coach in Andover. The only destination that has ever mattered to me has been “01810.”
I joke with my students and my players that I have only lived in Andover for 59 years. My mother and my late dad had the foresight to put me and my seven siblings into a great educational system. In fact, I will always say the best educational system in the Commonwealth.
So, when I built a family with my wife Kathleen — my daughter Julia and my two sons, EJ IV and Will — I stayed in Andover. I also had the privilege to coach all three of my children and while I will never say who the best player was that I coached, I will say, this – my three favorite players to coach will always be Julia, EJ and Will.
It was an odyssey when I played in Andover with great players like Ted Kelley, Carmen Scarpa and so many other professionals. But it was an education to play under the great Wil Hixon, Dick Collins and Richard Bourdelais.
I want to thank every player that ever suited up for me in football, girls basketball and boys volleyball. It was an honor to work with around 1,000 players. I truly remember each of them and the impact they have had on me. My heart grew because of each one of them.
I would like to thank every assistant that ever coached for me. I was not easy to work for, and we worked hard. I would especially like to thank assistants Dan Young, Shawn Theriault, Amanda Saab, Peter Reilly and Christine Dungca. They all kept me semi-sane.
I would like to thank the writers at The Eagle-Tribune. I will never forget the late Mike Muldoon. He was my friend for 50 years. Hector and Ollie Longo have stood by me through thick and thin. Bill Burt recognized my son, my dad and my father-in-law with esteem and graciousness. Finally, Dave Willis fielded all my complaints and did it with humor.
I have lived the greatest and most humble life. My players know that when coach Andover, every day was a dream.
It takes a village, and in my darkest times, my faith withstood me, and my wife stood by me. She has been sent to me from heaven. My mother still never misses a game. My brother Tim has been a rock; John has been a sounding board; Louise a supporter; Matt kept me fed; Grace my alter ego; and James played for me and is now my mentor. My dad was the greatest coach that ever coached. He knew more about every sport than I will ever know. Thank you all.
I will say it one last time to everyone in Andover:
Be loyal to the “A.”
Play for your teammates.
Remember the best two hours of your day are on Lovely Field or in Dunn Gymnasium.
And when I die, bury me at the “A.”
Thank you, Andover. Be proud.
And thanks for the memories.
— CP