The Boys Scouts of America was founded in February 1910. For information regarding the History of BSA, please
<<click here>>.
Established in 1927, Troop 2 originally known as Troop 5, was founded and directed by Rev. Luigi J. Fontana, C.S.S., Pastor of Sacred Heart Church. A member of the Stigmatine Fathers, an Italian Missionary Order serving at Sacred Heart, Father Fontana took on the responsibility of providing a youth program for the boys of Milford through the fledgling Boy Scout movement. Serving as the troop’s first scoutmaster was John Besozzi, Sr. The troop held its meetings in the original church building, located where the current rectory now stands.
According to Joseph Consoletti, a member of Troop 5 at its very beginning, the boys would sit in the pews at the back of the church as the Scoutmaster conducted the meetings. Sometime during the mid-1930s, Troop 5 took over the Troop 2 number.
In 1941 the troop’s meeting location, the old church, had been converted into a community center known then as the Garden Hall. It is speculated that because of construction activities of Sacred Heart’s lower church at its present location, and possibly the Sacred Heart Elementary School, troop meeting locations changed to places such as the Main Street Fire Station, and the Stacy School. In 1946, the troop moved to its current meeting location – the Milford Catholic Elementary School clubroom(s).
The modern era of Troop 2, Milford, MA began in earnest in 1936 with the appointment of Emilio Pighetti as Scoutmaster. Typical of any scoutmaster of Troop 2 Emilio, in 1938, would have encouraged Joseph Fertitta as he attained the rank of Tenderfoot; to go as far as he could. Little did either of them know that in 1944, in the midst of World War II, that very same Scout would become Troop 2’s first Eagle Scout. Answering the call to arms, Eagle Scout Fertitta immediately joined the Navy. From 1944 to the early fifties, only one more boy advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout, however, since 1954 many more boys from Troop 2 have attained Scoutings' highest rank.
Many Milford area scouters devoted years of service to our boys. Not only Emilio Pighetti but, to name a few, men like Emilio Rota, Angelo Minichello, Edward Montani, Joseph Brita, Pasquale “Pat” Berardi, and Al DeGeorge served the troop. There, when the troop needed them were Achille “Chick” Cistoldi and Michael Minichiello. Also prominent were Joseph C. DiAntonio, and his brother Charles, the father and son team of Joseph Capuzziello, Sr., and Joseph Capuzziello, Jr, and Edward Scirocco. Joseph Capuzziello, Jr., was Troop 2’s Scoutmaster for 12 consecutive years followed by Roland Rugoletti for another 10 years, both of these men guided innumerable boys on the trail to Eagle. Some Scoutmasters returned to duty after “retiring” from the position as you can see from the Scoutmaster Roll in this history.
From the very beginning, dedicated priests of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers serving at Sacred Heart Church threw their strong support behind the Boy Scouts of America. The troop’s history is replete with the services of:
Rev. Luigi J. Fontana Rev. Raymond Dalla Porta Rev. Camilo Santini
Rev. Gaetano Rossi Rev. John P. Stanton Rev. Louis Antonelli
Rev. Angelo DaPrai Rev. Anthony Corigliano Rev. Domenic Russo
Rev. Robert Cunnare Rev. David Gallagher Rev. Donald Farrell
Rev. Paul Merrill Rev. Leo Riley Rev. Louis Bonan
Rev. Robert Masciocchi Rev. Robert White Rev. Albert Azrak
Gratefully, we acknowledge the support of the current pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Father Scioli.
During its long history, Troop 2 witnessed many District and even Council name changes. Starting in the 40’s Troop 2 was part of the Mi-Ho-Me district (Milford, Hopedale, and Mendon) followed by the Central District in the 60’s, and then the Southern District in the 70’s. In 1985, we were part of the West District of the Algonquin Council. Currently Troop 2 is in the Tri-River District of the Knox Trail council. The Knox Trail council was formed as a result of a merger between the Algonquin and Norumbega councils in 1996.
In the 70’s and 80’s Troop 2 dramatically spread its wings, sending scouts all over the country to high adventure bases in Maine and New Mexico, National Jamborees in Virginia, as well as trips to Valley Forge, West Point, Lake Placid, Lake George, and Gettysburg. In keeping with this tradition, Troop 2 began its anniversary year by sending a contingent of 12 scouts and adults to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for a 10 day backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains in the summer of 2002. In 2003, Troop 2 finished its anniversary year by sending 18 scouts and adults on Highland Trek ’03, a 10-day trip to Inverness, Scotland and the surrounding Highlands. While there, Troop 2 visited with its sister Troop, the 3rd Inverness (Crown) Scout Troop, hike the mountains on the Isle of Skye, sleep in a castle, cruise on Loch Ness and participate in an international ‘Hands Across the Sea’ Camporee.
In 2009 our freinds returned the favor and came to visit us here in New England. Troop 2 currently has plans to return to Scotland in the summer of 2011.
-- the best is yet to come, for many future scouts.