By TOM WILLIAMS

When I would see John-John (John Bucci) at a basketball game I would always shake his hand and give him a pat n the back. “It’s good to see you, John,” I’d tell him. “Now that you’re here we can get the show started.” John-John, who died over the weekend, would smile and then offer some comments about the game or games about to be played. He had a good understanding of high school sports.

An Atlantic City High School graduate, who also later worked in the school, he was devoted to ACHS teams and athletes. But he would also support the Holy Spirit boys, the Ocean City girls, the Pleasantville boys – just about any team from an area school. He rooted for them all to win – unless they were playing the Vikings.

Here are the thoughts and memories about John from some people you probably know.

CHRIS FORD JR., Atlantic City High School athletics director: “It has been a tough couple of weeks for the ACHS Vikings Family. First, we lost the Godfather of ACHS Athletics, Frank Campo, and now we’ve lost our #1 Super Fan. Three things I’ll remember about John: First, he knew the names of all of our athletes, and the names of most of our opponents, too. It always appeared that he knew everyone. And, obviously, all of our athletes knew him, too. Second, he was at every game, and I mean every game. And, that’s all sports, including a lot of our away games, too. And third, the years that he worked at ACHS, he kept me on my toes acting as the unofficial assistant A.D. He would call me every day to check on game schedules, practice schedules and even bus departure times. I miss those calls. R.I.P, John-John. Our #1 fan will be missed!”

PAUL BARUFFI, former Ocean City girls basketball coach: “He was such a good person. He would always come over and say hello and ask about my team. He knew the players and who played what position. If we were playing Atlantic City I would kid him about who he was cheering for that night. I can assure you it wasn’t Ocean City. He loved Atlantic City and all those involved. We need more John-Johns in this world.”

BOB WEISS, former Atlantic City football coach: “John-John was a great fan for all Viking athletics.  He followed both boys and girl sports. He knew all the athletes, but another special thing was that he knew the outstanding opponents from other teams. He respected all coaches and players and he really had a great relationship with Athletics Director Frank Campo.  There were times he couldn’t get to a game, so we made sure he was able to attend. Very positive with all the participants whether you were a starter or backup. I had the opportunity to coach many sports at AC, he was always attending multi sports especially on home dates.  Very good man – loved by the entire city.”

JOHN RODIO, legendary basketball official: “John-John was an Atlantic City Viking, through and through. The Vikings blood ran through his veins. He was staple at all Atlantic City High School sporting events, especially basketball. He had a true love of the high sports scene, not only AC but, really, all of South Jersey. Unlike a lot of the fans today, while his love was ACHS, he was always considerate of the officials, opposing fans, opposing players and opposing coaches. Always smiling and enjoying the vocations for what they are meant to be. R.I.P. John-John a true Viking. I’m sure you will be shinning down on them always.”

GENE ALLEN, former Atlantic City boys basketball coach: “John Bucci had been an integral part of ACHS sports long before I became head coach of the basketball program. Once I obtained the position, he became a staple in my life. I never called him Bucci, I called him Buckeye after a relative of his (Charlie Buckeye/Bucci) who was a famous local DJ in the 80’s. As time went on, I called him GM because he knew every player from the freshman team to varsity. Bucci only saw the good in people and that’s what set him apart from any fan. I would constantly tease him because he befriended every player and coach from the opposing team. I would say, ‘Buckeye, who you with?’ And he would respond ‘Coach, you know who I’m with.’ In his later years he rode our team bus to every road game, playoff, and state final. I’m superstitious so Buckeye always sat across from me – first seat right hand side. It stayed that way until I stopped coaching. I would give the season schedule to Buckeye first with bus times, and he would tell me when and where to be. His mind and his attention to recall was brilliant. What made Buckeye the best was I never heard him say one bad thing about a coach or player, he was friends with everyone and saw the good in people. He impacted our program so much we named an annual award in his name. That started my first year and continued until my last. The John Bucci Award was symbolic, given to the player who was the most dedicated and hardest worker that season. The past three weeks have been rough for the ACHS family. We have loss two iconic figures that can never be replaced. Rest well, Buckeye.”

MIKE EISENSTEIN, former Atlantic City baseball coach: “John-John was one of the most positive people I ever met. Always believed we would be successful. Always interested in how I thought the team would do and why. John-John came to almost every baseball game regardless of where we played. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.”

MIKE GATLEY, Mainland athletics director: “John-John was at my freshmen boys basketball games in 1985. Yes! And when I came back as AD at Hammonton some 14 years later and he would see me at events vs Atlantic City – he always said ‘Hi, Mr. Gatley’ I would ask him if ACHS was going to win – he simply said ‘Yes.’ Never knew how he got to the venues he did – but he was always there. A true ‘super fan’ and a very nice person.”

JASON LANTZ, Atlantic City girls basketball coach: “A loss for words is what comes to mind when it’s about Atlantic City’s Greatest Fan. I have read numerous posts expressing what Mr. John Bucci meant to our community. All of them have brought back special memories. To sum them up – a genuine soul, loyalty, love, ultimate historian, son of Atlantic City. John-John will always be loved by generations of Atlantic City Vikings and forever be missed.”

TORY CAVALIERI, legendary Vikings star: “Sad couple weeks for the Viking family. First Frank Campo and now John-John. Beside the obvious – that John was the nicest person to ever walk through ACHS – I will never forget how he would remember exactly how many points I scored each of my years. Another funny thing – I told him one time the day I was born and the exact time. It didn’t matter if 4-6 months passed before we saw each other again, I would ask, ‘John-John, when is my birthday’? He would get it right down to the day and minute every time.  He will definitely be missed.”  

JOE FUSSNER, former ACHS basketball coach: “My first introduction to John-John was when I coached the girl’s basketball team at Atlantic City. He was young and just getting started being the #1 ACHS fan. Quickly he knew every player by name as well as all their stats.
John-John became a fixture at our games, not just at home but he traveled well. When he
entered a gym every person in the gym knew John-John and he knew them. A big fan of ACHS
but he also knew the opposing team. He would give you a quick scouting report and who we
needed to watch. As I moved on in my career, he would show up at Stockton University, to continue to follow his favorite players. He knew the Stockton players and he knew where all his Atlantic City players went to college and if they were playing at Stockton, men or women, John-John was there.
When I returned to Atlantic City to coach the boy’s team, John-John was a little older but still our good luck charm. He became like the celebrity showing up at Madison Square Garden, you expected to see him in the front row rooting for the blue and white. John-John had more AC gear than all of us. At this point he was driving, and you would see him anywhere we played. John-John became the AC Uber driver before there was such a thing. He would make sure if a fan needed a ride and, if he could help, he helped.
The tragic part of this story is what happened to him in the city he loved so much. He was
welcome and known in any neighborhood on Absecon Island. He always felt safe and I’m sure
even on that horrific night he never ever expected to be jumped. I know for sure there are
hundreds of fans who wish they knew who did such a terrible thing. John-John had a very difficult time after that. The one thing no one could ever take from him was his love for all us Vikings. It will be appropriate for Viking teams before they take to the field, court or place of
competition to just give a slight tug on their uniforms and point to sky because I can assure you, John-John is still supporting all of you.”

MIKE GILL, awarding winning sportscaster: “I vividly remember John-John asking me after every Ventnor Pirates game I played as an 8th grader – ‘You going to Holy Spirit, Atlantic City, Holy Spirit, Atlantic City? You’re going to Atlantic City, right? Right?’ He wanted everybody to come to Atlantic City High School.”

PAUL RODIO, St. Augustine basketball coach: “John-John was a staple of Atlantic City Athletics, especially basketball. My best memory of him – We were at the Battle By the Bay and at halftime we were playing well. He met me at my bench when we returned from the locker room and said ‘I almost was rooting for you guys, but I couldn’t’. That was John-John – he was kind to everyone.

BUTCH WARNER, former ACHS star & retired Pleasantville coach: “This was a sad day for me hearing of the loss of the best fan of Atlantic City sports, my friend known as John-John. I remember growing up in AC and I would see this guy at games whether at summer league or high school games. He knew everything about our team and the opponent we were playing. It became such a warm friendship with John. He followed my college career at Gannon and when I became a coach at Pleasantville High school. I will miss his friendly greeting and how he always wished me well in my journey. Love, John, and I will miss you.

JIM SCHAFER JR., former Atlantic City basketball assistant: “I first met John-John playing in the old Atlantic City/Puerto Rico visitation basketball program. Ralph Tally, Eric Moore and others were on the team and the games in this area were at the old high school. John-John was there and the AC guys all knew him and loved him. It struck me way back then. My father and I broadcast many ACHS basketball and football games and John was always there to greet us. When I was coaching at ACHS, John was at most practices and rode on the bus. Everyone loved him. I’m a detail-oriented coach. Every practice, game plan, preparation – I go over. Which makes me a worrier until the game is done and it’s on to the next one. John would always tell me we were great and we were going to win the chip. It was impossible not to love him. I retired and came back three separate times due to health and John would be the first to welcome me back. We never said ‘team’, we always said ‘family’ and John was a big part of the ACHS family. He was one of a kind. The people who stick with you through the years are the positive people who, no matter what, never lose their positivity. John is definitely one of them. He is family and will never be forgotten.”

MATT BURROUGHS, Atlantic City Dolphins youth football coach: “Didn’t think this would hit this way. Not sure how to express this, but let’s try. Have you ever met someone that was community over competition, personified? An advocate for all….no matter the sport, the school, even if you were a spectator. If he got his hook in you, there was no escaping the love. The love for the city, the love for sports, the love for every person he came into contact with, regardless of the arena. Among our talks about him bowling, or the future of ACHS sports, he was always there with concerns about family, achievements and future endeavors. Funny thing is, Bucci had to remind me of how many championships I’ve won, how many seasons I coached. Couldn’t wrap my head around how he could remember everyone’s story. But the best he gave was to simply be kind to all, regardless of how your paths crossed. I am grateful to say I am a friend of John Bucci. And even more grateful to say I am a fan of his. Thank you, Bucc, For everything you embody. Rest well. There will never be another you. We love you, man.”

A GoFundMe request has been created to help John’s family deal with his death and his memory. Donations can be made HERE.

Three years ago, John was attacked by a group of brainless thugs who probably thought ganging up on one man proved how tough they were. He suffered some physical injuries but it was the emotional damage that really hurt. This man, who would travel all over South Jersey to support high school athletes, became concerned about going out and missed attending the games he loved. It was a terrible way for the life of a man who lived to share the good will of high school sports to end. And we were all the worse for his absence.

Every school needs to have a special, dedicated fan. But not all do. Atlantic City had John-John.

John Bucci was 60.