John Gogolinski, Class of 1957, known by most as ‘Gogo’, was a two sport star for Bartlett High School in both baseball and football.

John lettered in Varsity Baseball three years, serving as Captain his senior year. As a center fielder, he played on two of Bartlett High’s best baseball teams in 1956 and 1957, incurring only three losses over this two year period. He led the team in hitting with batting averages of .386 and .455 for the 1955 and ’56 teams respectively. ‘Gogo’ also homered into the right field stands in his final ‘at bat’ playing against arch-rival Mary E. Wells H.S. (Southbridge H.S.). At the conclusion of John’s senior year, he was chosen by the Webster Exchange Club selection committee, consisting of BHS Hall of Fame member Athletic Director George Finnegan, BHS Hall of Fame member Coach ‘Ziggy’ Strzelecki and Webster Times Sports Editor Bob Prince, to receive the Most Valuable Player Award at their 7th Annual Baseball Sports Night.

On the football field, John was the leading rusher on offense from his right-halfback position and led the team in interceptions while playing defensive safety. He also returned punts and kickoffs on the 1956 special teams unit. As was reported in the memorable 12-6 win over Wells at the annual Thanksgiving Day game in front of over 5,000 spectators, “‘Gogo’ with his patented fancy footwork, did everything but score. He electrified the crowd time and again in this game as he did throughout the season with his ability to elude opposing tacklers!”

John was a high-honors graduate from UMass Lowell, with a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering, and was inducted into the Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities. He worked as a Principal Engineer for the Raytheon Company Missile Systems/Advanced Electronics Laboratory. The Raytheon Company and its president honored John Gogolinski with the company’s highest and most prestigious award for technical excellence in 1988.

John retired in 2000 and resides in Webster with his wife, Jane. They co-chair the Senior Enrichment Ministry at the St. Joseph Basilica where John is also chairman of the Gym/St. Joseph School Expansion Project. He has three daughters, Lisa, Karen, Deborah and eight grandchildren.