Passalacqua posthumously receives Roppa Memorial Award
Lifelong Washington resident Silvio Passalacqua, who was the former owner of Angelo’s Restaurant, posthumously received the Dominic T. Roppa Memorial Award at the National American Italian Sports Hall of Fame banquet Aug. 5 at the LeMont Restaurant on Mt. Washington.
The award was accepted by Silvio’s son, Michael.
Roppa was one of the founders of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the North American Italian Sports Hall of Fame, and was instrumental in helping youth sports and the Italian community.
Passalacqua was one of the first coaches of youth wrestling in Washington in 1964. Passalacqua became involved when he enrolled Michael in the sport.
Passalacqua assisted in promoting the sport and helped broadcast matches for WJPA Radio with Phillip Eonda.
Passalacqua was a founding member and served on the committee for 35 years of what is now the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic.
Angelo’s Restaurant was owned and operated by Passalacqua for more than 40 years until his son took over in 1992. Passalacqua mentored youth at the restaurant and had many young men work for him.
Michael Passalacqua recalled taking his dad to the NCAA wrestling championships in 2018 and 2019, and having folks greet him in the hallway between sessions with hugs, thanks, well wishes and opportunities for photographs.
As a high school wrestler, Silvio Passalacqua was the practice partner of Anthony “Babe” Gizoni, who won three PIAA state titles for Washington from 1946-48, was an NCAA champion at Waynesburg and is enshrined in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.