Former Gaels football defensive assistant coach and 2009 Vanier Cup champion Bob Vespaziani passed away January 20 in Lakefield with his family at his side. 

Vespaziani was the defensive coach working with the defensive line with the Gaels for the better parts of 2008 through to 2014. He was a member of the historic 2009 coaching staff that saw the Gaels win the Yates and Vanier Cups - his first Vanier Cup title. Most recently, Vespaziani returned to the sidelines as a defensive assistant with the Carleton Ravens.

Vespaziani amassed an extensive coaching resume, he was a defensive consultant for six years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and was no stranger to the CFL. He coached with such clubs as Calgary, Winnipeg, and B.C. appearing in the Grey Cup seven times and winning three championships. 

Before the CFL, he spent 10 seasons at Acadia University and was inducted into the Acadia Hall of Fame as a Coach and Builder.