Coach Giannamore

Lawrin “Coach” Giannamore, 78 died Sunday morning, after a lengthy illness.

Surviving are his four children, Lawrie Gullion, of Ashburn, Virginia, Gregg Giannamore, of Belleair Beach, Florida, Todd Giannamore of Ringgold, Georgia, Kyle Giannamore, of Saint Petersburg, Florida, and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Ferd and Irma Giannamore of Steubenville, Ohio and his brother, Melvin Giannamore of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Lawrin was born and raised in Steubenville, Ohio where he was an all-state baseball and football athlete for the iconic “Big Red” of Steubenville High School. He graduated 4th in a high school class of 400. He continued his education and football career at the University of Florida. He scored the highest placement test scores of any athlete at UF during his enrollment. He lettered and played first-team guard for three years(1957-1959); was second team all SEC and was selected to play in the All American Bowl his senior year with the Gators.

After graduating, Lawrin became a teacher and assistant football coach for high schools in Gainesville, Orlando, and the Space Coast. By 29, he started to work with the young men of Vero Beach and by 32 was named Head Football Coach of the Fighting Indians. In Lawrin’s four years as Head Coach, he compiled a record of 31-9-1, with the ’74 season bringing the high school its first District Championship with a 9-1-1 record. He was voted Space Coast Coach of the year. He loved coaching and the association with kids and other coaches, but after 13 years of coaching he had to make difficult economic decision for him and his family.

In 1973, a new kind of restaurant came to Vero Beach’s South US1. Lawrin had built a business during the same year he was building a successful football team. He always credited his support staff, whether it was his assistant coaches or the outstanding managers at the restaurant. Fat Boys featured an indoor Bar-B-Q pit, and was a new challenge for the 36 year old. He made the difficult decision to hang up his cleats and feed his community, including every football squad thru the day he retired, nearly 35 years later.

He was a great father to his children and always looked after his friends. Lawrin inspired loyalty in his friends, workers, and family. Friends from high school, employees who stayed with Fat Boys for the entire duration and family who remain connected.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fighting Indians Football Boosters, 1707 16th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

The family will greet friends from 10 – 11 a.m., Saturday, February 25, 2017, with an 11 a.m. Celebration of Life service to follow at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home, Vero Beach.