Last updated on: December 24, 2025
Tony Lupien was a talented, disciplined man with quiet strength. Today, he is probably best remembered as the maternal grandfather of WWE superstar and actor John Cena. Long before his grandson became famous, however, Tony Lupien built a strong legacy in sports, service, and family life.
Quick Facts About Tony Lupien
| Full Name | Ulysses John Lupien Jr. |
| Known As | Tony Lupien |
| Birthdate | April 23, 1917 |
| Birthplace | Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA |
| Date of Death | July 9, 2004 |
| Age | 87 years (at time of death) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | French-Canadian descent |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Occupation | Major League Baseball Player, Baseball Coach, Stockbroker |
| MLB Position | First Baseman |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| MLB Teams | Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox |
| Education | Harvard University |
| Military Service | United States Navy (World War II) |
| Coaching Career | Dartmouth College Baseball Coach |
| Major Achievement | Led Dartmouth to the 1970 College World Series |
| Parents | Ulysses John Lupien, Eugenie Marie Gosselin |
| Siblings | Not known |
| Husband/Wife | Natalie Nichols (first wife), Mildred Robinson (second wife) |
| Children | Carol Frances Lupien |
| Grandchild | John Cena, Sean Cena, Matt Cena, Steve Cena, Dan Cena |
| Special Family Fact | Shared birthday with John Cena (April 23) |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
| Place of Death | Norwich, Vermont, USA |
Early Life and Family Roots
Tony Lupien, born Ulysses John Lupien Jr., was born on April 23, 1917, to Ulysses John Lupien and Eugenie Marie Gosselin in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. His parents were originally from Québec of French-Canadian descent.
He grew up in a household where hard work and faith were imperative. From an early age, Tony showed natural athletic ability. He was energetic, concentrated, and competitive. Sports quickly became a big part of his life.
Higher Education and Athletic Talent
Tony Lupien was not only talented on the playing field but also a sterling scholar. He attended Harvard University, no small achievement. He continued to star at Harvard as an athlete.
He was very good at baseball and an all-around player during his active years in baseball. It was this performance that opened the way for professional baseball, which soon became his career path.
Major League Baseball Career
Tony Lupien was a first baseman in Major League Baseball. He batted left-handed and had a steady style.
Throughout his career, he played for three teams:
Boston Red Sox (1940–1943)
Philadelphia Phillies 1944
Chicago White Sox (1948–1949)
One of the finest seasons he has had was with the Phillies in 1944. During that year, he hit a .283 batting average, one of the best performances recorded back then.
World War II and Military Service
A lot of athletes from his generation saw their careers interrupted by World War II; Tony Lupien was no different as he participated in the United States Navy, putting country above profession.
The postwar setback he suffered when he was traded in 1946 to the minor-league Hollywood Stars was one of those points. Tony protested that this move ran counter to his G.I. Bill rights. He would continue to play there for a time, but the protest had taken courage. He was willing to speak up for what he believed was fair.
Coaching and Life Beyond Playing
Tony Lupien stayed close to the game after retiring from Major League Baseball. He became a college baseball coach at Dartmouth College.
His stint at Dartmouth was fruitful. Under his helm, the team reached the 1970 College World Series, the crowning moment of his coaching career.
Tony was also deeply interested in the history of the game. In 1980, he coauthored a book on baseball labor history to show his concern for players’ rights and fairness in the game.
He later worked as a stockbroker, proving he had skills beyond sports.
READ ALSO: John Cena Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Family Life and Relation to John Cena
Tony Lupien was married to Natalie Nichols, and they were parents of a daughter, Carol Frances Lupien born in Vermont in 1947. She would be the future mom of John Cena.
Later on, Tony married Mildred Robinson. He had been described as a family man, faithful, and very traditional. He was a Catholic and maintained very close contact with his roots as a French-Canadian.
Another special family detail comes from the fact that Tony Lupien and John Cena share the same birthday, April 23, though they were born 60 years apart.
Death and Lasting Legacy
Tony Lupien died on July 9, 2004 in Norwich, Vermont, at age of 87. His legacy lived on in many ways. He is remembered as a professional athlete, Navy veteran, coach, author, and grandfather. Through his daughter Carol and grandson John Cena, those values continued to shine.
