Waterbury Pays Tribute to Barzilauskas

August 2, 2024

WATERBURY, CT 080224JS02 Robert Barzilauskas, son of the late Carl Barzilauskas, left, talks with Peter Varseckas and Erik Partkus, both of Waterbury, during a celebration of life for the former Kennedy High School and NFL player Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott in Waterbury. Barzilauskas died in December 2023 at the age of 72. Jim Shannon Republican-American

WATERBURY – A coat rack of jerseys from his days at Indiana University and with the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers were on display.

So were two of the helmets worn in the NFL, and even a pair of worn-out cleats for the former offensive lineman and 1974 firstround draft pick.

Add to the collection were an assortment of news clippings, action photos and albums and other school memorabilia during his time at Kennedy High.

The life of Waterbury native Carl Barzilauskas, who died last December at age 72, was remembered at reception at the Courtyard at Marriott Downtown on Friday afternoon with several dozen friends, teammates, classmates and even a few cheerleaders from his high school days.

His son, Robert Barzilauskas, and Carl’s widow, Cathi, arrived in Waterbury this week to meet the friends from Carl’s past.

“I had hoped for a handful of people, but I am flabbergasted that so many showed up and to meet them,” said Robert. “It took us about 13 hours to drive here from Indiana and it was so worth it. I’m really thankful to everyone.”

That included classmate Joe McDonnell.

“I would see him in the hallways and Carl was very hard to miss,” said McDonnell. “He was a gentle giant, just a nice person.”

“Carl was larger than life athlete,” added Bill Dillane. “He was just a friendly guy and he spoke to everyone.”

Dillane said he found out about the get-together through the Kennedy High Waterbury 1969 Class Reunion Facebook page and had to show up.

So did teammate Gary Waugh, now of Litchfield, who was on the Kennedy football and track teams.

“Carl was very supportive of me and encouraged me,” said Waugh. “He was a very kind and caring teammate. You could tell that he would probably make it at the professional level.”

“Carl was the best teammate you could have,” noted Paul Mancini. “He was a star, but he didn’t act like one. He was just regular guy.”

Growing up, Bill Bellotti and Barzilauskas grew up on the same street and were the best of friends.

“He was so humble,” said Bellotti of Barzilauskas. “When the Jets would practice at Hofstra University, I’d drive his mother to watch him practice.”

Kennedy teammate Joe Scascitelli credited Barzilauskas with much of the success of the Eagles during their 1966 Naugatuck Valley League and City championship and the 1968 City championship.

“When we would practice against him, the only chance and prayer I had was to go low and go at his knees,” recalled Scascitelli. “He said to me that he’d take it easy on me if I stayed away from his knees and I said, ‘Sure Carl, no problem.’ He was a fierce warrior. When we did wind sprints, he was always out in front with long, quick strides.”

He would go on to Cheshire Academy before earning a scholarship to Indiana University, where he was a three-year starter for legendary coaches Lee Corso and John Pont. The Sporting News All-American played in the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl.

Kennedy High head football Chris Sarlo, now in his 20th season, took photos of vast memorabilia to share with his current Eagles’ team. Sarlo is also a history teacher and feels that the players should know the background of one of the former NFL players from their hometown.

“The kids should know about one of the all-time greats that came from here,” said Sarlo.

Photos curtosy of the Kennedy High 1969 High School Reunion page (Waterbury, CT).