Lupoli Brothers Funeral Home

But on this day, just over a decade ago, his wife Kati, was waiting for "Big Sal" at the kitchen counter.Kati was concerned about his work -- a burgeoning pizza empire and commercial real estate business -- the amount of time he was spending at the office, hovering 100 hours per week.More importantly, though, implored Kati, was the amount of time he wasn't spending at home with his two young kids (Mary and Sal Jr.), particularly their son, who was about 6 years old at the time."Sal always been a great husband and dad," said Kati, who met Sal as Chelmsford High students more than three decades ago."He was going 100 mph as he always. That's how he rolls with everything," she noted. "I just wanted him to stop and smell the roses. I told him, 'The kids will be grown before you know it. I don't want you to have any regrets.' "Well, they're grown up. Mary is a junior at Bentley University and "Little Sal," now 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, is a 17-year-old Chelmsford High senior.And "Big Sal," per the advice from mom, has literally been there the entire time for son, particularly when it comes to his football career.Tonight, at Joe Walsh Stadium in North Andover, the Lupolis are nearing the end of that father-son football bond, which started on the Pop Warner field complex across the street from the high school and later traveled to other side at Chelmsford High.Sal Sr. is entering his 14th year as a defensive line coach while Sal Jr., whom dad calls "Salvie," is one of the best players in the state as a running back (he's the runaway leader in Div. 2 with 17 touchdowns) and linebacker (he leads team in tackles for third straight year)."It's sort of weird, thinking we are almost at the end," said Sal Jr. "He's been coaching me since second grade. He's been there for every game. I know some kids might not like that, having your dad coach you that long, but I've always loved it. He not only knows the game, but he's my hero."****Today, Sal Sr.'s company, Lupoli Companies, has grown... (Eagle-Tribune)