From his time as a student to his time as a teacher, Dick “Benny” Locastro, was never far away from athletics.
Locastro, one of the members of the 2008 class of the Auburn High School Athletic Hall of Fame, did a little bit of everything during his athletic career.
Locastro graduated from East High School in 1943 and it was while he was there that he met his future wife, Madelyn.
“He played basketball, baseball and football,” Madelyn said. “I think then, he only played three years, but he played all three all through high school and he did exceptionally well at all of them.”
A sentiment that was echoed by fellow hall of fame inductee, Clyde Monroe, who nominated Locastro.
In his nomination, Monroe pointed out that Locastro was an exceptional athlete who excelled at all three sports during his high school career.
Madelyn said that after graduating high school, Locastro went on to serve in the army, but after his term of service was completed, Locastro went on to go to school at LeMoyne, where he played varsity baseball.
After graduating from college, Locastro went on to become a history teacher in the Port Byron school district, where he was a loved and respected educator.
“They dedicated the year book to him in 1981,” Madelyn said. “He not only taught them history, but he taught them how to go on to make history, in a good way, themselves.”
But even during his teaching career, Locastro was still deeply involved in local sports, with a particular love for softball.
Madelyn said that Locastro was inducted into the Auburn Softball Hall of Fame, recognizing his passion and commitment to the sport.
Locastro also stayed busy serving as an umpire for softball games and high school baseball and refereeing high school basketball.
Madelyn said that he also liked to play a lot of golf.
“He loves it all,” Madelyn said. “He always really had a lot of fun playing all these sports and being an umpire and playing golf, he just is the kind of person that likes to stay active and busy and he really loved to play everything.”
With Madelyn, Locastro had 12 children, which she said has been their proudest accomplishment.
Madelyn said that her husband has been dealing with health issues recently and may not be in attendance for the awards ceremony, but that some her children may go to represent their father.
“The children are all so proud of him,” Madelyn said. “They are so proud of all of his accomplishments, we are all really proud of him, the whole family is proud of him and this is a real honor.”
Locastro graduated from East High School in 1943 and it was while he was there that he met his future wife, Madelyn.
“He played basketball, baseball and football,” Madelyn said. “I think then, he only played three years, but he played all three all through high school and he did exceptionally well at all of them.”
A sentiment that was echoed by fellow hall of fame inductee, Clyde Monroe, who nominated Locastro.
In his nomination, Monroe pointed out that Locastro was an exceptional athlete who excelled at all three sports during his high school career.
Madelyn said that after graduating high school, Locastro went on to serve in the army, but after his term of service was completed, Locastro went on to go to school at LeMoyne, where he played varsity baseball.
After graduating from college, Locastro went on to become a history teacher in the Port Byron school district, where he was a loved and respected educator.
“They dedicated the year book to him in 1981,” Madelyn said. “He not only taught them history, but he taught them how to go on to make history, in a good way, themselves.”
But even during his teaching career, Locastro was still deeply involved in local sports, with a particular love for softball.
Madelyn said that Locastro was inducted into the Auburn Softball Hall of Fame, recognizing his passion and commitment to the sport.
Locastro also stayed busy serving as an umpire for softball games and high school baseball and refereeing high school basketball.
Madelyn said that he also liked to play a lot of golf.
“He loves it all,” Madelyn said. “He always really had a lot of fun playing all these sports and being an umpire and playing golf, he just is the kind of person that likes to stay active and busy and he really loved to play everything.”
With Madelyn, Locastro had 12 children, which she said has been their proudest accomplishment.
Madelyn said that her husband has been dealing with health issues recently and may not be in attendance for the awards ceremony, but that some her children may go to represent their father.
“The children are all so proud of him,” Madelyn said. “They are so proud of all of his accomplishments, we are all really proud of him, the whole family is proud of him and this is a real honor.”
