Longtime Madison Coach, Town Employee Remembered By Council

MADISON, NJ — Members of the Madison Borough Council remembered the life of a beloved local sports coach and longtime foreman of the Madison Sewer Department, who died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the age of 54.

Madison Mayor Robert Conley spoke of Vito Luppino’s legacy in town at a recent Borough Council meeting.

Luppino, a lifelong Madison resident who excelled in football, baseball and wrestling at Madison High School before graduating in 1986, had a 26-year career with the borough, according to Conley.

In his adult life, Luppino coached football and wrestling at Madison High School and Bayley-Ellard High School. He also served as the president of Madison Junior Football and a longtime coach for Madison Little League.

"He was very proud to dedicate his life’s work to his hometown and he as Foreman, cherished many friendships he forged with many of his colleagues," Conley said. "He was also very proud of the impact he had on all those he coached."

Luppino is survived by his four children, his mother, six siblings, three grandchildren and many more family members and friends, Conley said.

"Two things I learned recently about Vito that I never knew, one that he was a great cook, often sharing his recipes with others; and that he was known to have a very clean desk," Conley said.

Prior to their victory over Mendham on Oct. 1, the Madison High School football team observed a moment of silence for Luppino and dedicated their entire season to him. In honor of Luppino, the Department of Public also placed bereavement bunting at the public works garage.

Robert Landrigan, the president of the Borough Council, claimed that his son had the "honor" of playing junior football for Luppino before going on to play high school and college football.

"He was one of those coaches that you always here about. He was tough but it was very fair and he got the most out of kids… if a kid got hurt, their wellbeing always came first. He was a good man, an honest man and he really loved the kids,” Landrigan said.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in memory to The Huddle Club, PO Box 195, Madison.