Pace High School bid farewell to one of its most well-known figures, Dean of Students Samuel Lilly, who is retiring after 36 years of service at Pace.
A Class of 1976 Pace alumnus, Lilly returned to the school in 1981 to teach history and coach football. He would continue teaching and coach basketball, tennis, and softball before becoming the assistant Dean of Students in 1988. He became Dean of Students in 1991, a position he held for 26 years until his retirement. For his dedication, hard work, and Spartan pride, Lilly was inducted into the Pace Hall of Fame in 2016.
For all the love that Lilly put into Pace, his love was returned by those he had influenced and affected. Alumni who had Lilly as a teacher and a dean came out to a Spartan Happy Hour at Sergio’s Cuban Grill and Bar on May 16 held in honor of Lilly.
At the faculty year-end luncheon, the Pace faculty, administration, and staff pooled their own donations together and surprised Lilly with a trip to Israel in 2018. The Pace baseball team also presented Lilly with a framed baseball jersey with the number commemorating his years of work at Pace.
“Sam has been an integral part of life at Monsignor Edward Pace High School. His faith, dedication, caring and calm demeanor have influenced everyone with whom he comes into contact,” said Pace principal Ana Garcia. “He has changed lives in the most unassuming way. He is beloved and will sorely be missed.”