Satch Sanders’ arrival in 1960 relegated Guarilia to a reserve role, but it was one that he played with pride.  The Celtics won titles in each of the next three years, with Guarilia playing well when called upon, until his retirement following the 1962-63 championship season.  When he walked away, he knew that the Celtic Dynasty was truly something special, and that the family atmosphere made it all the better.

 “Everybody was friends on that team,” he said when asked about those four very special years in a Boston Celtic uniform.  “There was no animosity toward one another.  We all ate at one another's houses, including the black players.  Our wives got along great.  We were talking about that the other day when I was in Boston for a card show with Sam Jones and Jim Loscutoff.  We were saying how good everything was.”

Guarilia returned to Duryea following retirement, where he pursued his other passion, working as a teacher in the public school system.  (The nuns at Holy Rosary would surely be proud.)  He also became a musician, earning a reputation as one of the best bass players in the country.  Still, his memories of his days as a Celtic remain as fresh as ever.  He is appreciative of his place in history, and of what he has been able to accomplish on the basketball court.  He was honored, along with the immortal Red Auerbach, as part of George Washington University's All-Century men's basketball team.  He has four NBA championship rings to show for his hard work and sacrifice.  He has played, practiced and sacrificed alongside some of the greatest players in NBA history.  Lucky?  No question about it.  But even luck requires a certain amount of diligence, and Guarilia was more prepared than most.

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