Of all the events that Angelo Alioto's restaurant hosted, the most unusual ones involved no food service beyond sacramental bread and wine.
His restaurant, of course, was Alioto's in Wauwatosa. The special gatherings happened in the mid-1960s as his parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, was building its church in Wauwatosa.
"They needed a place to hold Mass, so he let them use the lower-level banquet room for 1 1/2 years," said Tom Warren, his son-in-law.
"On Saturday nights, he would clean up after the weddings and get the room ready for Mass.
"They used to call it St. Alioto's," Warren quipped, repeating the old parish joke.
"He was very proud of that."
Angelo J. Alioto died Thursday of complications of pneumonia. He was 87.
Alioto grew up in the family business, started by his father, who was from Sicily.
"His dad - they called him Papa John Alioto - started Alioto's Garden in the old Third Ward in 1923," his son-in-law said.
Papa John moved the business to bigger quarters downtown during World War II, "so that my boys, Joe and Angelo, would have something ready for them when they got out of the Army," Papa John later explained.
They did return to the business. Angelo survived brother Joe, who died in 1963, and sister Frances Dentice, who also joined the restaurant.
When their location was needed as part of the First Wisconsin project, Alioto bought land at 3041 N. Mayfair Road.
Much of Alioto's restaurant building was destroyed in 1981, in a fire that took the lives of two members of the Wauwatosa Fire Department.
"It was a disaster," said his son-in-law. "It was very sad.
"He was determined to rebuild," Warren said, adding his father-in-law threw himself into the cleanup effort. The restaurant reopened eight months later.
Alioto's has long been known as a popular spot for Friday night fish fries.
"He was a proud restaurateur, and was very particular about his spaghetti sauce," Warren said. "He would do some of the banquet cooking - especially the steaks - and he tended some bar. And if the dishes piled up, he'd be the first to get the dishes going in the kitchen."
Family members described Alioto as a man with a big heart and a soft spot for children. He liked to play Santa Claus on Christmas.
Alioto became a founder of the National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities, believed to be the oldest ethnic golf tournament in the United States. First held in 1958, the annual tournament continues to raise money for charities and scholarships.
"They often honored Italian-American celebrities, but he was named the man of the year last year for all his contributions," Warren said.
His first wife, Nina, died earlier.
Alioto later married the former Harriett Menos, his wife of 24 years.
Other survivors include daughters Catherine "Kiki" Warren, Mary Przybyla and Angela Garekis; stepson Dean Menos; sister Mary Caminiti; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. Wednesday until a vigil at 7:30 p.m. at the Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.
Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. Thursday until the funeral service at 11 a.m., those at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center St.
--Milwaukee Journal
Angelo J. Alioto
October 17, 1923 - February 3, 2011
Born to eternal life on February 3, 2011 at the age of 87 years. Beloved husband and best friend of Harriett (Menos). Loving and caring father of Catherine "Kiki" (Tom) Warren, Mary (Rick) Przybyla, Angela (Arthur) Garekis and Dean (Peg) Menos. Loving Papa of Tony (Amy) Warren, Michael (Monica) Warren, Catherine Warren, Nicole (Jeff) Watson, Lia Garekis, Robert Garekis, Augie Menos and Alex Menos. Big Papa of Clara, Nina and David Warren and Devin, Jacob and Maddie Watson. Dear brother of Mary (Joseph) Caminiti and the late Nina (Frank) Balistreri, Frances (Joseph) Dentice and Joseph (Florence) Alioto. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his first wife Nina (nee Gagliano) and his son John Alioto.
Visitation on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the Funeral Home from 4 PM until the time of Vigil Service at 7:30 PM. Visitation on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa from 10 AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Joseph's Parish appreciated.
www.schmidtandbartelt.com
His restaurant, of course, was Alioto's in Wauwatosa. The special gatherings happened in the mid-1960s as his parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, was building its church in Wauwatosa.
"They needed a place to hold Mass, so he let them use the lower-level banquet room for 1 1/2 years," said Tom Warren, his son-in-law.
"On Saturday nights, he would clean up after the weddings and get the room ready for Mass.
"They used to call it St. Alioto's," Warren quipped, repeating the old parish joke.
"He was very proud of that."
Angelo J. Alioto died Thursday of complications of pneumonia. He was 87.
Alioto grew up in the family business, started by his father, who was from Sicily.
"His dad - they called him Papa John Alioto - started Alioto's Garden in the old Third Ward in 1923," his son-in-law said.
Papa John moved the business to bigger quarters downtown during World War II, "so that my boys, Joe and Angelo, would have something ready for them when they got out of the Army," Papa John later explained.
They did return to the business. Angelo survived brother Joe, who died in 1963, and sister Frances Dentice, who also joined the restaurant.
When their location was needed as part of the First Wisconsin project, Alioto bought land at 3041 N. Mayfair Road.
Much of Alioto's restaurant building was destroyed in 1981, in a fire that took the lives of two members of the Wauwatosa Fire Department.
"It was a disaster," said his son-in-law. "It was very sad.
"He was determined to rebuild," Warren said, adding his father-in-law threw himself into the cleanup effort. The restaurant reopened eight months later.
Alioto's has long been known as a popular spot for Friday night fish fries.
"He was a proud restaurateur, and was very particular about his spaghetti sauce," Warren said. "He would do some of the banquet cooking - especially the steaks - and he tended some bar. And if the dishes piled up, he'd be the first to get the dishes going in the kitchen."
Family members described Alioto as a man with a big heart and a soft spot for children. He liked to play Santa Claus on Christmas.
Alioto became a founder of the National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities, believed to be the oldest ethnic golf tournament in the United States. First held in 1958, the annual tournament continues to raise money for charities and scholarships.
"They often honored Italian-American celebrities, but he was named the man of the year last year for all his contributions," Warren said.
His first wife, Nina, died earlier.
Alioto later married the former Harriett Menos, his wife of 24 years.
Other survivors include daughters Catherine "Kiki" Warren, Mary Przybyla and Angela Garekis; stepson Dean Menos; sister Mary Caminiti; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. Wednesday until a vigil at 7:30 p.m. at the Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.
Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. Thursday until the funeral service at 11 a.m., those at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center St.
--Milwaukee Journal
Angelo J. Alioto
October 17, 1923 - February 3, 2011
Born to eternal life on February 3, 2011 at the age of 87 years. Beloved husband and best friend of Harriett (Menos). Loving and caring father of Catherine "Kiki" (Tom) Warren, Mary (Rick) Przybyla, Angela (Arthur) Garekis and Dean (Peg) Menos. Loving Papa of Tony (Amy) Warren, Michael (Monica) Warren, Catherine Warren, Nicole (Jeff) Watson, Lia Garekis, Robert Garekis, Augie Menos and Alex Menos. Big Papa of Clara, Nina and David Warren and Devin, Jacob and Maddie Watson. Dear brother of Mary (Joseph) Caminiti and the late Nina (Frank) Balistreri, Frances (Joseph) Dentice and Joseph (Florence) Alioto. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his first wife Nina (nee Gagliano) and his son John Alioto.
Visitation on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the Funeral Home from 4 PM until the time of Vigil Service at 7:30 PM. Visitation on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa from 10 AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Joseph's Parish appreciated.
www.schmidtandbartelt.com
Of all the events that Angelo Alioto's restaurant hosted, the most unusual ones involved no food service beyond sacramental bread and wine.
His restaurant, of course, was Alioto's in Wauwatosa. The special gatherings happened in the mid-1960s as his parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, was building its church in Wauwatosa.
"They needed a place to hold Mass, so he let them use the lower-level banquet room for 1 1/2 years," said Tom Warren, his son-in-law.
"On Saturday nights, he would clean up after the weddings and get the room ready for Mass.
"They used to call it St. Alioto's," Warren quipped, repeating the old parish joke.
"He was very proud of that."
Angelo J. Alioto died Thursday of complications of pneumonia. He was 87.
Alioto grew up in the family business, started by his father, who was from Sicily.
"His dad - they called him Papa John Alioto - started Alioto's Garden in the old Third Ward in 1923," his son-in-law said.
Papa John moved the business to bigger quarters downtown during World War II, "so that my boys, Joe and Angelo, would have something ready for them when they got out of the Army," Papa John later explained.
They did return to the business. Angelo survived brother Joe, who died in 1963, and sister Frances Dentice, who also joined the restaurant.
When their location was needed as part of the First Wisconsin project, Alioto bought land at 3041 N. Mayfair Road.
Much of Alioto's restaurant building was destroyed in 1981, in a fire that took the lives of two members of the Wauwatosa Fire Department.
"It was a disaster," said his son-in-law. "It was very sad.
"He was determined to rebuild," Warren said, adding his father-in-law threw himself into the cleanup effort. The restaurant reopened eight months later.
Alioto's has long been known as a popular spot for Friday night fish fries.
"He was a proud restaurateur, and was very particular about his spaghetti sauce," Warren said. "He would do some of the banquet cooking - especially the steaks - and he tended some bar. And if the dishes piled up, he'd be the first to get the dishes going in the kitchen."
Family members described Alioto as a man with a big heart and a soft spot for children. He liked to play Santa Claus on Christmas.
Alioto became a founder of the National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities, believed to be the oldest ethnic golf tournament in the United States. First held in 1958, the annual tournament continues to raise money for charities and scholarships.
"They often honored Italian-American celebrities, but he was named the man of the year last year for all his contributions," Warren said.
His first wife, Nina, died earlier.
Alioto later married the former Harriett Menos, his wife of 24 years.
Other survivors include daughters Catherine "Kiki" Warren, Mary Przybyla and Angela Garekis; stepson Dean Menos; sister Mary Caminiti; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. Wednesday until a vigil at 7:30 p.m. at the Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.
Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. Thursday until the funeral service at 11 a.m., those at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center St.
--Milwaukee Journal
Angelo J. Alioto
October 17, 1923 - February 3, 2011
Born to eternal life on February 3, 2011 at the age of 87 years. Beloved husband and best friend of Harriett (Menos). Loving and caring father of Catherine "Kiki" (Tom) Warren, Mary (Rick) Przybyla, Angela (Arthur) Garekis and Dean (Peg) Menos. Loving Papa of Tony (Amy) Warren, Michael (Monica) Warren, Catherine Warren, Nicole (Jeff) Watson, Lia Garekis, Robert Garekis, Augie Menos and Alex Menos. Big Papa of Clara, Nina and David Warren and Devin, Jacob and Maddie Watson. Dear brother of Mary (Joseph) Caminiti and the late Nina (Frank) Balistreri, Frances (Joseph) Dentice and Joseph (Florence) Alioto. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his first wife Nina (nee Gagliano) and his son John Alioto.
Visitation on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the Funeral Home from 4 PM until the time of Vigil Service at 7:30 PM. Visitation on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa from 10 AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Joseph's Parish appreciated.
www.schmidtandbartelt.com
His restaurant, of course, was Alioto's in Wauwatosa. The special gatherings happened in the mid-1960s as his parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, was building its church in Wauwatosa.
"They needed a place to hold Mass, so he let them use the lower-level banquet room for 1 1/2 years," said Tom Warren, his son-in-law.
"On Saturday nights, he would clean up after the weddings and get the room ready for Mass.
"They used to call it St. Alioto's," Warren quipped, repeating the old parish joke.
"He was very proud of that."
Angelo J. Alioto died Thursday of complications of pneumonia. He was 87.
Alioto grew up in the family business, started by his father, who was from Sicily.
"His dad - they called him Papa John Alioto - started Alioto's Garden in the old Third Ward in 1923," his son-in-law said.
Papa John moved the business to bigger quarters downtown during World War II, "so that my boys, Joe and Angelo, would have something ready for them when they got out of the Army," Papa John later explained.
They did return to the business. Angelo survived brother Joe, who died in 1963, and sister Frances Dentice, who also joined the restaurant.
When their location was needed as part of the First Wisconsin project, Alioto bought land at 3041 N. Mayfair Road.
Much of Alioto's restaurant building was destroyed in 1981, in a fire that took the lives of two members of the Wauwatosa Fire Department.
"It was a disaster," said his son-in-law. "It was very sad.
"He was determined to rebuild," Warren said, adding his father-in-law threw himself into the cleanup effort. The restaurant reopened eight months later.
Alioto's has long been known as a popular spot for Friday night fish fries.
"He was a proud restaurateur, and was very particular about his spaghetti sauce," Warren said. "He would do some of the banquet cooking - especially the steaks - and he tended some bar. And if the dishes piled up, he'd be the first to get the dishes going in the kitchen."
Family members described Alioto as a man with a big heart and a soft spot for children. He liked to play Santa Claus on Christmas.
Alioto became a founder of the National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities, believed to be the oldest ethnic golf tournament in the United States. First held in 1958, the annual tournament continues to raise money for charities and scholarships.
"They often honored Italian-American celebrities, but he was named the man of the year last year for all his contributions," Warren said.
His first wife, Nina, died earlier.
Alioto later married the former Harriett Menos, his wife of 24 years.
Other survivors include daughters Catherine "Kiki" Warren, Mary Przybyla and Angela Garekis; stepson Dean Menos; sister Mary Caminiti; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. Wednesday until a vigil at 7:30 p.m. at the Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.
Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. Thursday until the funeral service at 11 a.m., those at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center St.
--Milwaukee Journal
Angelo J. Alioto
October 17, 1923 - February 3, 2011
Born to eternal life on February 3, 2011 at the age of 87 years. Beloved husband and best friend of Harriett (Menos). Loving and caring father of Catherine "Kiki" (Tom) Warren, Mary (Rick) Przybyla, Angela (Arthur) Garekis and Dean (Peg) Menos. Loving Papa of Tony (Amy) Warren, Michael (Monica) Warren, Catherine Warren, Nicole (Jeff) Watson, Lia Garekis, Robert Garekis, Augie Menos and Alex Menos. Big Papa of Clara, Nina and David Warren and Devin, Jacob and Maddie Watson. Dear brother of Mary (Joseph) Caminiti and the late Nina (Frank) Balistreri, Frances (Joseph) Dentice and Joseph (Florence) Alioto. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his first wife Nina (nee Gagliano) and his son John Alioto.
Visitation on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the Funeral Home from 4 PM until the time of Vigil Service at 7:30 PM. Visitation on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 12130 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa from 10 AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Joseph's Parish appreciated.
www.schmidtandbartelt.com
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