Sports community mourns death of News 12's Bill Gonillo

By Jamie DeLoma
Special Correspondent
September 25, 2007 12:00 AM

Bill Gonillo, the face of sports in Fairfield and New Haven counties at News 12 Connecticut for more than a decade, was found dead Sunday in his Woodbridge home. He was 44.

Gonillo died of diabetes and hardening of the arteries, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Before joining News 12, Gonillo worked at radio WELI-AM 960 in
New Haven, where he covered Yale University sports, the Hartford Whalers and the Boston Celtics.

As word spread of Gonillo's death, area coaches and sports directors mourned him.

"No one did more than Bill Gonillo to see that youth sports in our area was properly recognized," said Tom Chiappetta, executive director of the Fairfield County Sports Commission. "His coverage provided a nightly recap of all that was important on the
Fairfield County sports scene, whether it was the biggest game in the area or making sure the local game between two hard-working teams was given the same amount of visibility and air time."

John Kuczo, executive secretary for the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, said Gonillo's presence was always welcome.