Angelo Piro, a family man and a Korean War veteran, who was a charismatic fixture in his community of Dongan Hills, died Monday of complications from the coronavirus. He was 87.
Born in Manhattan, he was a graduate of Seward Park High School.
He served as an airman in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1955, stationed in Pusan, South Korea. His Korean War baseball cap was always a permanent fixture.
In 1958 he wed the former Concetta D’Antonio and the couple settled in Dongan Hills.
A devoted husband and grandfather, he worked as a pressman for the Journal American and then the New York Post. He was an active member of the NY Newspaper Pressmen’s Union.
Piro enjoyed breakfast meet-ups, going to the movies, dining out and at home and playing card games with his family and friends. Always outgoing, he was known for serenading friends with familiar Tony Bennett songs.
A fixture in his home community parish of St. Ann R.C. Church, where he was a past president of the Father’s Club and a longtime softball coach, he volunteered at St. Ann’s elementary school selling snacks at lunchtime and supervising in the school yard. He received several awards for his volunteer work.
In speaking of Piro, Rev. Joy Mampilly, pastor of St. Ann’s said:
“I know Angelo. He faithfully came to church in spite of his health problems and in spite of his limitations because of his age and health. He came to church and his faith in God was a true reflection of his faith in his family and the people of the community and also his faith in himself.” He added: “He knew he was doing good things for God’s people. And he had a special place in his heart for children and for struggling families.”
Piro also was active in Staten Island’s community theater scene, appearing in a number of plays. In fact, his favorite role was playing Officer Krupke in a local production of “West Side Story.”
He was a member of the North Shore YMCA, where he enjoyed water aerobics and was a member of the Glee Club.
Piro is survived by his wife, Concetta, his daughters, Connie Mazella (John); Laura Piro, Lea Vischio (John), his six grandchildren: Michael, Andrew (Jill), John (Kim), Adrienne, Adam and Christina, and one great-granddaughter, Adeline.
A funeral mass and celebration of his life will be held at a later date when health restrictions have been lifted.
___
© 2020 Staten Island Advance
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
