The city sports scene, specifically, and the community, in general, lost a notable member with the passing of Vin Spremulli, who died at the age of 76 on Thursday, Oct. 5.

He leaves behind is wife, Margaret, as well as his two children and their families, both of whom are prominent professionals in East Providence: School District Superintendent Dr. Sandra Forand and Michael Spremulli, a Detective Corporal in the East Providence Providence Police Department.

Vinny Spremulli was a Special Education teacher at the Ponaganset Middle School for 35 years before retiring. Closer to home, he He was a coach and board member for the East Providence Central Little League and director for both CYO and its basketball arm at St. Martha's Church.

It was in those two latter positions where Spremulli had his greatest impact on city affairs, helping inspire children and young adults alike to pursue their athletic dreams.

He had a direct affect on the future of one notable protegé, Jim Russo. Russo would go on to coach youth sports in the city with much success on the baseball diamond for the EPCLL and the hardwood for St. Martha's.

Reached for comment about Spremulli's passing, Russo referenced a Facebook post he made where he recollected they, along with two other city residents,  Mike "Chip" Kennedy and Joe Botelho, meant to each other.

"Vin sometimes called Chip and I his other sons Well, the math did not quite work on this, so let’s say big brother instead," Russo wrote.

He continued, "I spent countless hours at his house talking basketball and trading ideas with him. I learned a lot. And it was not just hoops I learned about but also how a program should be built – finding good people and putting them in the right spots, what was really important when one coached a team, and how to coach young people...As time went on, I realized Vin had created not just a program but a family."

Russo added, "While Vin’s legacy is of course his wonderful family, it goes far beyond this. It is also all the people whose lives he had an impact on – his students, his players who were always so glad to see him even years after he had coached them, his coaches, his friends, and countless others."

A funeral service was held for Spremulli at his revered St. Martha's on Thursday, Oct. 12. Burial followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements were by Perry-McStay Funeral Home.