WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Dennis George Strizzi was remembered on Monday as a "straight shooter" and a "really, really good person" by the high school coaches who benefited from his contributions to youth sports in Northern Berkshire County.

 

Strizzi, 67, died on Monday at his Williamstown home. For more than 25 years, he was a coach for the Lanesborough Tigers youth football team, helping lay the foundation for successful seasons for the Mount Greylock Regional School team.

 

He also was a supporter of youth baseball in Williamstown and Lanesborough.

 

"We're reeling here in the baseball family," said Mount Greylock coach Steve Messina, who coached Michael Strizzi, Dennis' son, a senior on last year's high school state finalist squad. "It's just a sad day when you lose someone who cares so much about the kids and the community and the sport.

 

"He was always there for youth baseball when his younger son, Mikey, was playing. But it wasn't just Mikey he was coaching. He was helping every single kid in the league. He deserves some of the credit for what we did last spring."

 

Former Mount Greylock football coach Shawn Flaherty, who coached the Mounties to three straight Western Mass Super Bowl wins from 2010-2012, said it was a "good feeling" knowing the Tigers were a feeder program for the Mount Greylock squad.

 

"He was always looking out for that program to keep it up so coach [John T.] Allen and myself would have the players we needed," Flaherty said, referring to his own high school coach and predecessor at the helm of the Mounties' program.

 

Dennis Strizzi was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with the Marine Corps. He worked for Pittsfield Water Department and was the owner/operator of his own landscaping business.

 

In addition to being a youth sports coach, Strizzi was willing to go the extra mile, doing the kind of work that often goes unnoticed.

 

"You go to those youth games ... and Denny was always the first one there and the last on to leave," Flaherty said. "He just loved being around the kids.

 

"It's tough to describe how much time and effort he always put in for the Lanesborough Tigers for all those years he coached."

 

Messina agreed.

 

"He was one of those guys who, whatever you needed done he was willing to help," Messina said. "He would go up and the cut grass on the field on his own.

 

"He was a giving guy. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat."

 

Calling hours for Strizzi will take place Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Graveside services with full military honors will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Eastlawn Cemetery.