Pete Sepe tribute
By Butch Lombardi ( Warren Athletic Hall of Fame Committee )
In the rich history of this town, no matter what era, you can read about people who made a difference. Pete Sepe was one of those people. I first met Pete in the late 70’s. I was playing basketball in the Adult Men’s Basketball Program run by the Rec. Board. Pete asked me to run the program for a year and I agreed. The following year, a position opened up on the Rec. Board and again, Pete asked if I’d be interested in filling it. I became a member of the Rec. Board in 1978.
It wasn’t long before I began to realize what a unique and giving person Pete was. His main priority was always the kids. We did not always agree on what should be done or how to do it, but I always respected Pete’s position, because I knew he had the best interest of the kids in mind. We operated on a meager budget. When the time for the town financial meeting came around, Pete would ask me to go to the town financial meeting with him. He was determined that the kids were not going to be sacrificed to someone else’s budget. Pete always shunned the limelight, so if it came to getting up to speak in defense of our budget, I became the advocate. Pete was content to let me be the focal point of the defense, when he was really the driving force. I served for 6 years on the Rec. Board with Pete and then resigned when I became involved in Little League Baseball. We remained friends and would talk about various sports or recreation issues whenever our paths would cross.
Somewhere during this time frame, Pete started talking about an athletic hall of fame. He was very knowledgeable in the sports history of this town and felt that there should be some venue to recognize all the great athletes that had graced our playing fields. I would agree with him but that’s as far as it went, at least until 1998. In 1998, at the age of 74 when most people are winding down, Pete started a new project. He approached me on the street corner and asked if I would serve on a committee to lay down the groundwork for an athletic hall of fame. Six years after that meeting, close to 100 athletes, contributors, coaches, and old timers are enshrined in the Warren Athletic Hall of Fame. Unlike some towns, our Hall of Fame exists not in name only. I would urge all townspeople to visit the council chambers on the second floor of the town hall. There you will find 2 beautiful display cases filled with memorabilia from Warren’s rich and colorful athletic history-all because of Pete Sepe. Warren lost a truly unique treasure when we lost Pete Sepe. While Pete may be gone, his spirit is woven into the fabric of this town. Every time a kid slaps a knock hockey puck, throws a wiffle ball, flies a kite, or searches for an easter egg, Pete will be there, Every time an athlete goes to the podium to be inducted into the hall of fame, Pete will be there. Every spring when the winter snows melts, and the playing fields of Warren turn green again, Pete will be there. He will always be there. That was Pete.
Pete Sepe: Heaven just received an All-Star
By Jay Ferreira ( Website manager and Warren Athletic Hall of Fame Committee Member )
Pete Sepe was one of the brightest stars in the past quarter century in Warren athletics. Upon hearing of his recent unexpected death, and condolences to his family whom I care for so deeply, I would like to reflect some of my thoughts on Pete.
Pete was a great father, one who loved his children and was always there for them with his love, his thoughts and his deeds.
Pete was a great grandfather, one who cares so much for his grandkids and cherished every moment he had with them.
Pete was a great husband, one who cared and made sure all his wife’s daily needs came first.
Pete was a great organizer, one who chaired the Recreation Board for over 20 years and was the founder of the Warren Athletic Hall of Fame pulling the right people together to make good decisions.
Pete was a great listener, one who would ask questions and take in the facts from everyone before jumping to any conclusions.
Pete was a great leader, one who everyone looked up to.
Pete was a man of great presence, you always knew when he was in a room, the respect and kindness he received was genuine and real.
Pete was a great communicator, one who would always let you know that you did a good job and that he was proud of you.
Pete was a man who cared for Warren, even after his retirement from the Recreation Board he patrolled the parks continuously to make sure everything was in order. He probably was the only person who could put 50,000 miles on his car without leaving the town’s borders.
Pete was also a friend, not just to me and my family but nearly every family in Warren he met not only in person but through his accomplishments.
For every baseball child who hit a ball; for ever hockey kid who laced up their skates in town, for every softball player and midget footballer who played under the lights at Jamiel’s Park, for every soccer player and every child running in our playgrounds. We thank you Pete.
You have touched us all and will always be remembered.
We have lost a good man on this earth but Heaven has gained an ALL-STAR.