Staples Soccer Remembers Dino Melitsanopoulos
Though he wore the green of Norwalk High School, Dino Melitsanopoulos was also part of the Staples soccer community.
His oldest son Paul served as Staples goalkeeper coach from 2006-08, and coached many current Staples freshmen as Westport Soccer Association players.
All 3 sons — Paul, Dean and Andrew — were Norwalk High stars, who played epic matches over the years against the Wreckers. The 3 boys were also standouts for Beachside Soccer Club, where they were teammates with many Staples players.
Dino Melitsanopoulos died yesterday. He was 51 years old.
“He loved his sons immensely, and was very, very proud of them,” said Staples head coach Dan Woog.
“But he also loved soccer. He always had a kind word for me and for our program, before and after the most intense games we had with Norwalk. He understood that at the end of the day, it’s all about the great game. You can be huge rivals, and also good friends.”
Dino was particularly proud of Norwalk High’s 2012 state championship — not just because he was a 1980 grad of the school, and because Andrew was a defensive standout on the squad, but because the Bears played such good soccer.
Calling hours are Sunday (Dec. 29) from 4-8 p.m at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 238 West Rocks Road, Norwalk. Services will be held on Monday at 10 a.m., also at the church.
Dino Melitsanopoulos (left), with sons Dean, Andrew and Paul, and his wife Martha, after Norwalk’s state championship last year. (Photo/Tom Renner for Norwalk Daily Voice)
