Wednesday, September 26, 2007 11:47 PM EDT

Gonillo was special kind of guy!

BY JOE PALLADINO Republican-American

Waterbury has given many gifts to the world. One of its best was the gift of Bill Gonillo to Fairfield County. Today, tragically, Gonillo comes home to Waterbury for good.

One of the best sports broadcasters this state has ever produced, Gonillo died this past weekend at the entirely too young age of 44. He did radio and he did television, and he did them so well that he holds the unique distinction of being named broadcaster of the year in both.

He was a Bunker Hill kid. He went to Holy Cross High, where he played football and basketball. Not a star on the field, Gonillo was a star in life.