Patrick John Bria lll, better known as “Coach Bria” and the “Godfather of the GYFL,” passed away Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the age of 51.
Born in Greenwich and raised in Cos Cob, there was no one more proud to be a “Cos Cobber.” This was obvious when at age 15, he decided he didn’t want to play football, but coach it…and coach it he did. For 36 years, from age 15 til he passed, “Coach Bria” was part of the GYFL’s preeminent youth football program, the “Cos Cob Crushers.” Starting as an assistant coach when it was more pick-up than organized, he eventually became head coach of the Juniors and then President of the organization and a Senior board member of the GYFL. His experience and knowledge of youth football made him the go to guy for anything Greenwich football until his death. His teams won championship after championship. But Pat always preached it wasn’t about the wins or the stats, it was about teaching young men, and even some women, discipline, responsibility and teamwork. Recognizing very few would go on to be professional players, he wanted to make sure they had the core values they needed to help them succeed in life.
In 2021, he was honored by the Greenwich Oldtimers with the Coaches Lifetime Award. The Greenwich High football program book was dedicated to him in 2017, with then State Champion Coach John Marinelli noting “Pat Bria’s biggest accomplishment is the number of lives he has affected.” And Coach affected thousands — despite never having children of his own. One of his former players, Tyler Dietrich said, “He taught us the rules of football as well the rules of life.” Tough on the field, he was loving and hysterically funny off. He had a devilish personality from birth, and it continued into adulthood with his big 4th of July Fireworks shows at Bible Street Park, taking the neighborhood kids on the equivalent of “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” on his golf cart, and his “open house” policy that had the nearly half dozen youngsters in the neighborhood, running through his home at any given time to hang out with “Uncle Pat.” He was the perfect and loving uncle to dozens of Bible Street and Cos Cob Avenue families and kids.
Perhaps Pat’s greatest personality trait was his fierce loyalty to those he loved. Including his longtime partner Kelley DeLuca and her 3 boys Larry (LJ), Tony and Dominic. Never wanting to be their “step-father”, Pat instead wanted to be their friend and mentor. And he was. Always there for them when they needed advice or just someone to hear them out. They loved him, and he loved them in return.
Pat started work when he was 13 years old. He first worked at Sheephill Mobil for 3 years before going to work for the Connecticut Department of Transportation for 2 years. Perhaps one of his most loved jobs was working for “Uncle Larry” at Lawrence DeLuca Construction. While working construction, Pat worked part-time at Cabalo Carting. He worked as a property manager for 20 years for a family in Belle Haven. As Co-Owner of Scarpelli’s Sausage, Pat wanted to keep the more than 100-year-old tradition, born in Cos Cob, going after its longtime owner died.
Always giving, Pat was the face of Yale New Haven’s efforts to spread information on diabetes and its challenges by being the face of their “Save a Limb, Save a Life” campaign.
Pat is predeceased by his father, Patrick John Bria JR and survived by his his mother Sandra Abbazia Bria, his life partner Kelley DeLuca, her sons Larry (LJ), Tony and Dominic DeLuca, his sister’s Shari Bria Fuss and husband Edward (nephews Jake, Josh, Jeff and EJ), Wendi Bria Ryan and husband Tommy (nieces Emilie and Abigal) and Sandi Bria and husband Alex Galbis and way too many friends, players, former players, parents and “Cos Cobbers” to count.
Once a Crusher, Always a Crusher. We’ll miss you coach Pat.
To honor Pat’s life, family and friends will gather Wednesday from 4:00-8:00pm at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich.
A service will be held Thursday 10:00am at Harvest Time Church, 1338 King Street, Greenwich, followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Greenwich.
Memorial donations in memory of Pat may be made to Greenwich Youth Football, www.greenwichyouthfootball.org/bria.