By Chad Finn, Boston.com Staff

When the Patriots make their preseason debut August 9, a voice that accompanied generations of fans on autumn Sundays for more than three decades will be absent from the team's radio broadcast.

Gino Cappelletti, known affectionately as 'Mr. Patriot' for his on-field exploits during the franchise's early years before embarking on a 32-year career as the popular color analyst on the team's radio broadcasts, has decided to retire.

Gil Santos, his partner for 28 years on the broadcasts and the past 21 consecutively, will return for his 36th year in the booth. Scott Zolak, the former Patriots quarterback who thrived in an innovative sideline-based third analyst role last season, is expected to succeed Cappelletti on 98.5 The Sports Hub's broadcasts, though that decision is yet to be finalized.

The gentlemanly Cappelletti, 78, was not available for comment Thursday night, but he said in a statement through CBS Radio that it has been tremendously rewarding to watch the Patriots develop into one of the NFL's signature franchises

'Through five decades, my romance with football and my relationship with the Patriots organization have provided me with a lifetime of wonderful memories,' said Cappelletti a rookie wide receiver/kicker/defensive back on the franchise's inaugural team in the American Football League in 1960 who would go on to be an MVP, a five-time All-Star, the league's all-time leading scorer, and a member of the all-time All-AFL team.