What Can You Do?

About Us

Born on March 25th 1970, Carlo “Chuck” DeFabritiis imprinted his #25 on every hockey jersey and into every heart of the people that knew him.  Chuck was well known for his satyrical cockiness, autographing other people's hockey sticks and making statements such as "#25 in your programs, #1 in your hearts".  Sometimes he would claim that those things would be worth a lot of money one day.  With his passing, it was clear that the times spent with him were valued greatly by friends and family and that #25 would always be in our hearts.

How it began... The #25 Memorial Tournament was started in 2005 in honor of Carlo “Chuck” DeFabritiis.  Carlo was a caring and dedicated person.  Working long days at the law firm and sports center, Carlo still managed to take the time to ask how one’s life and family were and truly care.  As dedicated to his big family and many friendships, Carlo was equally in love with roller hockey.  Playing in one of Carlo’s hockey leagues was only half the fun as the rest of time was spent in the office sharing stories and laughs with other competitors. 

On May 15^th, 2005, only hours after finishing a championship game, Carlo passed away with a heart ailment.  Only 35, Carlo left behind a young wife and 2 year-old daughter.   At the wake, it was evident how many lives Carlo touched.  The effort to organize a tournament began there.  After two months of vigorous preparation, the 2005 tournament was held on July 23rd and 24th at the Newton Indoor Sports Center.  Friends and competitors became re-acquainted, and just like old times they shared their stories and laughter.  

Fundraising efforts to benefit the family raised $12,000.  After starting a scholarship fund for Carlo’s daughter, Melissa, money was donated to the American Heart Association, the Men’s Health Network, and the MSPCA. 

Great hockey… Initially, that’s why we’re here. The people fortunate enough to have met Carlo “Chuck” DeFabritiis through a roller hockey league at the Newton Indoor Sports Center. Whether we were playing against him or lucky enough to be one of his teammates, great hockey is exactly what Chuck was about.  The tall defenseman that could be impossible to get around yet agile enough to stickhandle through the offense.

A fierce competitor that hated to lose, Chuck was usually on the winning side of things. Many of us wondered how a guy his size could play with such a short stick. Yet, with a simple tuck-n-drag, he was skating by you & on his way to setting up one of his teammates. Chuck didn’t shoot much. He preferred to make a deft tape-to-tape pass in between two defenders - “Be ready, I’ll get it to you.” More times than not, that was the case. We all wanted to play with him because it was “great hockey”.

Great cause… With his passing, Chuck left behind a devoted wife, Laurie, and their beautiful daughter, Melissa. While we are all saddened by the void left in our own lives, the best way to honor his memory is to play the game he loved while helping the people he loved most.  And that is the reason we are all here now.