Mass. referee dies after collapsing during final seconds of high school basketball game

A veteran game official collapsed while refereeing a girls high school basketball contest Friday night in Watertown, Massachusetts, and later died on the way to the hospital.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Watertown Public Schools confirmed the tragedy unfolded in the final seconds of the tournament game between Watertown and Old Rochester Regional.

According to a statement from the district, staff cleared the gym, moving students and spectators to the Watertown Middle School auditorium, while a Watertown athletic trainer, Watertown police officers, and community members rendered immediate aid to the official, who has since been identified as 56-year-old Don McGillicuddy, of Lowell.

McGillicuddy's family tells NBC10 Boston that he was initially revived but suffered a second heart attack while being rushed to Mount Auburn Hospital and was then pronounced dead.

Family members tell NBC10 Boston that McGillicuddy would have turned 57 next month. He is survived by a fiancé, two children and one granddaughter.

McGillicuddy’s daughter, Erica DeJesus, lives in New Hampshire and his son, Wayne McGillicuddy, is the head football coach at The Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut. They are both devastated that his life was cut short but say they find a small measure of comfort knowing his last day was spent doing exactly what he loved -- in uniform and on the court.

Erica spoke exclusively with NBC10 Boston on Saturday night, sharing how her brother Wayne called her the night before, telling her to get to Watertown immediately.

"I just lost it. I started getting sick and I was calling for my husband who was downstairs and we just got in the car and drove to Watertown," she said.

The incident shocked McGillicuddy's family, as Erica says her father just had a physical and a clean bill of health.

"No heart condition, high blood pressure that he had in the past was gone. He just lost 45 pounds," she shared. "He was in the locker room joking with the referees at halftime laughing. It came out of nowhere."

"It just shows you how short life really is and how you have to take every second like it's your last because you don't know, you really don't know," she added.

Erica says her father was like a best friend to both her and her younger brother. McGillicuddy loved Erica's daughter dearly, his only grandchild. She says she never expected that their photo together at Wayne's wedding just two weeks ago would be their last.

"I’m glad that we had that time, but I wish I would've stayed longer. I didn't know that would be the last time I'd see him," she shared.

McGillicuddy had plans to marry his fiancé Nancy Walsh in Aruba in May. Her daughter said they had a "once in a lifetime" love that she felt was magical. Walsh usually attended his games, but missed Friday's, getting the devastating news not long after she spoke to him on the phone.

"My mom spoke to Don at half time before he went back on the court where he told her how much he loved her and that he would see her when he got home," Julianne Giannetto told NBC10 Boston.

McGillicuddy's son tells NBC10 Boston that his father loved sports and it created a close bond between the pair.

"I’ll never forget - my father played in men’s basketball league my entire life. Everything he did, I went with him. Every game he played in, I was there shooting around or just being a kid," Wayne shared. "My dad started reffing because he had to hang up the playing shoes but wanted to be continued to be connected to the game...Him becoming a ref really made our relationship come closer. Every single night, we either were going to one of my practices or one of his games."

Both the MIAA and Watertown Public Schools said they were deeply saddened by McGillicuddy's death. He became an official 24 years ago and quickly earned assignments in the state semifinals and finals, according to the Boston Globe.

“The MIAA expresses condolences to the family of the game official, and will continue to provide support to its officials, member schools, student-athletes, coaches, and fans affected by this tragedy,” the MIAA said in a statement released to NBC10 Boston on Saturday night.

"All of us at Watertown Public Schools are keeping this official and his loved ones in our thoughts," the district said in a statement.

Watertown Public Schools also acknowledged that Friday's incident was unsettling for those in attendance, noting that school administrators spoke with students and families in the minutes after the game.

Additionally, counselors will be available for students on Monday, the district said.

"We are thankful to everyone who provided medical assistance to the official and supported fans in the moments after this incident," Watertown Public Schools said in its statement. "We encourage families to talk with their students about what they saw and how they are feeling, even if they are not showing obvious signs of being upset."

A boys basketball tournament game between Watertown and Shawsheen Tech that was scheduled to be played following the girls game on Friday was postponed until Saturday afternoon.