By Cary Shuman
The East Boston community is paying tribute to Boston Herald high school sports editor Donato “Danny” Ventura, who died on July 7, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Mr. Ventura had officially retired last August after a superb 35-year sportswriting career. He garnered numerous awards, including the National High School Sportswriter of the Year Award.
Mr. Ventura and his wife, Carla, lived in East Boston for several years and attended numerous events in the neighborhood. Mr. Ventura’s photo appeared with his columns and for marketing purposes in the Herald, and local business owners would recognize him instantly, often chatting with the personable journalist about sports and other topics of interest.
If East Boston High School or any high school in the city was competing in a big game, Ventura was sure to be there covering it in person. At athletic events throughout Massachusetts, Ventura was greeted with respect and admiration by coaches, athletic directors, and parents who appreciated his interesting feature stories about athletes and accurate reporting of games.
Readers of the Herald sports pages thoroughly enjoyed Danny V’s “Sweet 16” rankings and game predictions. The Herald’s daily competition with the Boston Globe brought out the best in both, giving readers the premier major-city duo in high school sports coverage in the nation.
Colleagues at the Herald spoke of Ventura’s professionalism, work ethic, passion for high school sports, and helpfulness.
“I’m pretty confident that I wouldn’t be where I am today without Danny,” said Jim Clark, former Herald high school sports editor and current assistant director of the MIAA. “After spending my first two years at the Herald on the sports copy desk, I agreed to take over as the high school editor in August 2000. Having Danny alongside – with his tireless work ethic, incredible passion for high school sports and telling the stories of student-athletes, and incredible institutional knowledge – was an invaluable asset.
“I am proud of the work we did together and I am grateful to have been able to call him a friend and colleague for so many years. Danny was also incredibly supportive in my move to the MIAA, and we maintained that professional relationship right up until his retirement a year ago.
“Danny’s impact on high school sports in Massachusetts will never be forgotten,” concluded Clark.
Talented sportswriter Matt Roy covered games for the Herald under Ventura’s helmsmanship. He praised his mentor’s personal kindness and his helpfulness in his career.
“It is so typical of the person Danny was that not many of us knew he was battling cancer,” said Roy. “That’s just how he was, staying out of the spotlight and shining it on others.
“I’ve known Danny for nearly my entire career, and he always was so kind and helpful to me when I started out. To eventually become one of those guys who he trusted to be part of his staff was a dream come true and all of us will work our tails off to reward that faith he had in us.
“It’s been said many times over the last few days and I couldn’t agree with it more: The likes of him probably won’t come around again. He was the best and it’s a loss that is immeasurable,” said Roy.
Former Daily Item sports editor and Harry Agganis Games executive director Paul Halloran also paid tribute to Ventura’s immense contribution to the sportswriting profession.
“Danny Ventura combined a tireless work ethic and a wealth of institutional knowledge with a deep passion for his job and an endearing personality. He was a genuinely good guy who cared more than most. His coverage of the Agganis All-Star Games over the years was most appreciated and the Foundation was proud to present him with the David C. Weidner Media Award in 2007. I enjoyed our many conversations and interactions over the years, and I will miss him greatly.”
Former sportswriter David O’Connor, director of communications for Everett public schools, said, “I’ll never walk into Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium without thinking about Danny V. He was an unparalleled professional and even better person, and I join the countless people who had the pleasure of knowing him in sending my thoughts to his wife and family.”
Revere High School Athletic Director Frank Shea called Ventura, “an icon” in sportswriting.
“Obviously, he was an icon for high school sports coverage,” said Shea. “He was a guy who would always pick up the phone no matter what time you called him. He was always very supportive and always willing to write encouraging, positive stories about our student athletes. But I think the best compliment I can give Danny is that he was a better guy than he was a writer. He was just a tremendous person and he’s going to be sorely missed.”
A funeral Mass for Mr. Ventura was held Monday at the St. Columbkille Church in Brighton.