Tony Bacchi
1953-2001

In the 14 years he was scoutmaster, Tony saw 31 boys attain the rank of Eagle Scout (The highest rank in boy scouting). He was also responsible for bringing the troop to where it is today. Outside of the troop, he was quite involved in the council level of the boy scout program, as well as intricately involved in the summer camp, Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation. But that's just a list of accomplishments. It would be an injustuce to just list his accomplishments because to have actually known him, was one of the greatest rewards in any of our lives.

Because of the contributions to the Greater Lowell District made by Tony throughout his years of service to the Boy Scouts, the Camp Road at the Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation has been officially named, "Bacchi's Way."

The following is a newspaper article written by two Assistant Scoutmasters in Troop 74:

In this modern era where we hear of more children who commit crimes than do anything good, adults are losing faith in children. Many have given up completely on the younger generation, and there are few that are willing to try to change them. On Monday morning, we lost one of the few adults who still had the desire to make a difference in the youth in our community.

Mr. Anthony Bacchi, 48, passed away in his apartment early Monday morning. His influence on the youth of the Greater Lowell area can be seen in the boys he guided throughout his many years of remarkable service to the Boy Scouts of America. 

He joined the adult committee in 1984 for the Boy Scout troop 74 of Chelmsford, and 4 short years later he was asked to become scoutmaster. He remained the scoutmaster of the troop for 14 years, never missing a meeting. Tony had a way of making everything run smoothly in the troop.  Whether it was with a gentle smile and a jolly chuckle, or a stern lesson in discipline, he always seemed to make the situation turn out right.

At first sight, Tony was intimidating. He had a formidable manner and a "scoutmaster-like" appearance but, once you got past that, he was just a "big teddy bear."  If you ever had a problem with anything, Tony was there with a smile and a helping hand. You could always count on him.

A little part of Tony can be seen in the character of the scouts he knew. He helped so many boys while he was scoutmaster, including the 31 that rose to Eagle Scout, the highest possible rank in scouting. His guidance encouraged scouts through many tough requirements while achieving rank. He would be more than happy to give a gentle nudge or a forceful push. He promoted the ideals of the Boy Scouts in that he lived them himself. He was always trustworthy, always loyal, always helpful, always friendly, always courteous, always kind, always obedient, always cheerful, always thrifty, always brave, always clean, and always reverent.

His influence touched more than just the young men in scouting. He became a part of our families, and everybody he knew became part of his family. Once you became a part of his family, then you received the greatest honor of all. The honor of having Tony as a part of your life.

I think the best way to describe Tony comes from a poster hanging in his office at work. There was a boy walking along a beach, which is covered in sand dollars. The boy walks along and bends down each one to pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. Then an older man comes along and asks him, "Why are you doing that? Do you really think it matters? You can't save them all." The boy replies, "Maybe you're right about that," and he bends to pick up another one, "but it matters to this one."

We will miss you Mr. Bacchi. From every person you've ever talked to, to every mind you've ever molded, you've been more than a scoutmaster, more than a leader of men and youth, you've been a friend, and family, and we'll never forget you.

Brian Acheson, Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Troop 74
Dan Silvia, Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Troop 74

So now Mr. Bacchi has gotten his wings. The wings of an eagle, and flown into heaven where he will wait for us in our time. Until we meet again Mr. Bacchi, we will live by the examples and the lessons that you have taught us. We will continue the traditions of Boy Scouting, the traditions of the brotherhood, and the traditions of every good, kind-hearted individual in the world. You will live in all of us and rest on good soil.   Your memory will forever haunt the place we call home, Camp Wah-Tut-Ca.  In your own words Mr. Bacchi..."This is not the end of a trail, but rather the beginning of a new epoch..."