Remembering Joseph Boutros
Joseph Boutros, a standout football player from Connetquot and an offensive lineman at Salve Regina University, is fondly remembered by many on Long Island after his tragic death during an intense snowstorm this week.
Mike Koncevic, Boutros’ former coach, shared, “You can ask anyone who taught or coached him at Connetquot, he was just a great human being.” He expressed that the Class of 2022 was “just a lucky bunch” to have known him.
Boutros passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning while charging his cell phone in his vehicle, unaware that the exhaust pipe had become blocked. This incident occurred as heavy snow—reportedly around 34 inches—fell, knocking out power in the area near Newport University in Rhode Island.
Koncevic described Boutros as the kind of player every coach would cherish, lauding the determination he showed in his pursuit of improvement. “When he was a senior in high school, he was struggling with soccer. He may not have been the best player on the soccer field, but he was the best teammate,” he noted.
“He would stay in the weight room and put in the effort. By his senior year, he had become a better soccer player. He was always dedicated to honing his skills.”
After his time with the Thunderbirds, Boutros played for Nassau Community College before continuing his journey at Salve Regina. He was thrilled to play alongside his best friend, Seahawks wide receiver Alan Rodriguez, and excelled academically too, boasting a 3.94 GPA and making the Fall 2025 Dean’s List while studying Criminology.
Koncevic remarked that Boutros often dedicated time and resources back to his former T-Bird program. “I would see him every summer when I came home,” he recalled, adding, “Whenever we had offseason practices and he was around on weekends, he would be on my sideline supporting us.”
Boutros also took on a mentoring role for many athletes at Suffolk County High School. “He certainly communicated with some of the kids, offering advice he had picked up during his college football experiences,” Koncevic said. “He was a positive role model, always cheerful and smiling.”
