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Welcome to the memorial page for
Daniel A. Angeloni
April 27, 1930 ~ July 17, 2017 (age 87) 87 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Mark Lamperski
August 8, 2017 8:31 AM
He was Mr. West Deer. Saw him at our 40 High School Reunion Class of 1969, the last Graduating Class of West Deer High School. He made the reunion very Special. He was so thoughtful to attend. Was looking forward to seeing him at our 50th. It will not be the same without him. He will truly be missed. Condolences to his Family.
A candle was lit by Mark Lamperski
on August 8, 2017 8:07 AM
Message from Ron Fleischer
August 2, 2017 12:00 PM
I just learned of Dan's passing - he was "Mr. West Deer" and such a class guy. He was always so kind and wanted to catch up on all of his previous student's lives as we all grew up. He was a mentor to many and will be missed - but fondly remembered!
Ron Fleischer, Sarver, PA
Ron Fleischer, Sarver, PA
Message from Rex Rutkoski
August 2, 2017 2:22 AM
8-2-17
DAN ANGELONI: A LIFE LIVED TO ITS FULLEST
By Rex Rutkoski
“Mr. West Deer,” Dan Angeloni, who died July 17 at the age of 87, lived an amazingly full and colorful life as a writer, editor and photographer for more than 35 publications; as a family man, a teacher and guidance counselor, a community leader, historian, wedding photographer, Army veteran and so much more.
He loved and inspired his students at West Deer and Deer Lakes High Schools, many of whom he stayed in touch with throughout their careers, and he passionately loved his township.
He was one of my first mentors when I began my newspaper career in 1965, fresh out of Freeport High School, at the Valley Daily News (now the Trib’s Valley News Dispatch), a kind and gentle man who helped me believe in myself, just as he did for others, and offered encouragement throughout my 50 years in fulltime newspapering.
I covered my first election with Dan, who drove me to West Deer polling places throughout the night. In that era before computer polling, we had to get to the outdoor bulletin boards with our flash lights, where the results were posted, before someone took them.
Dan photographed seven U.S. presidents, three First Ladies, had a one-on-one audience with a pope, photographed three pontiffs and once even gave directions to the men's room to Jimmy Carter. Angeloni still was in high school when he photographed President Truman at a whistle stop in Pittsburgh. He took some of his journalism students to a student press conference in Pittsburgh with Sen. John Kennedy when he was campaigning for president.
Some of his favorite photos were the personally posed First Lady shots of Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush.
As much as he loved West Deer, he once was designated by the late Lem Schwartz, our colorful managing editor of the Valley Daily News , as Tarentum's goodwill ambassador to Tarentum (now Taranto), Italy, which was celebrating its 2000th anniversary in 1951. Schwartz arranged for him to take greetings from the mayor of Tarentum to the mayor in Italy.
I had the honor of writing an in-depth profile on Dan for the Valley News Dispatch in 2003, which follows here.
In his own way, Dan Angeloni, by his example, his passion and his kindness, made our corner of the world a better place. May he rest in well-earned peace. Our condolences to his family and many, many friends.
-30-
KEEPER OF WEST DEER’S FLAME
Rex Rutkoski | Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003
Valley News Dispatch
Dan Angeloni leans back in his chair, smiles and remarks, "The best is yet to come."
The optimism does not come as a surprise to those who know the veteran retired educator, and unabashedly proud citizen of West Deer, as he talks about the future of his beloved community and the Valley.
In a life rich in experience and real friendships with many people, Angeloni embraces the positive, not with Pollyanna's rose-colored glasses, but with a view from the heart.
He is a good man to have around anytime, especially when times don't always seem the best.
For most of his 72 years, he's had a knack for helping others believe in themselves.
Along the way, he has logged memorable experiences, including photographing seven U.S. presidents, three First Ladies, having a one-on-one audience with a pope, photographing three pontiffs and once even giving directions to the men's room to Jimmy Carter.
'Mr. West Deer'
"If anybody is Mr. West Deer or Mr. Deer Lakes (School District) it would be Dan. He always worked for the good of the community and still does," says Dolores Pierre of West Deer. A retired teacher, Pierre was a member of Angeloni's class of 1948 at West Deer High School, which merged into Deer Lakes. Pierre also is a former Deer Lakes school board member.
Angeloni was class president in 1948; in 2001, he was still a community leader and was named one of West Deer's "Distinguished Citizens of the Year."
In a most appropriate selection, Deer Lakes School District has named this community asset to be part of its Community Asset Mapping Committee, which will identify the area's attributes. The research is to be used to assist with academic instruction, work-based experiences and to provide information to young people for careers.
"He is really respected." says Pierre. "I don't think a single person in the community or anywhere would say a negative thing about Dan."
She and Angeloni have served on blue ribbon educational committees, and currently are helping to coordinate the Middle States evaluation of the school district.
She also works with Angeloni on one of his favorite projects, the very active West Deer High School Alumni Group, which he chairs. It encompasses former students from the first graduating class, 1945, through its last, 1969.
Members of the early West Deer classes meet monthly reminiscing about some of the good times of their era, which stretched through the Depression years, teen years during World War II and military service in Korea and Vietnam.
"Now they are the parents and grandparents of young people involved in current world unrest," he says.
Class of '48 alumnus Art Borland of Saxonburg, retired corporate secretary and head of human resources at Oberg Manufacturing, refers to Angeloni as "a pillar of the community-type guy."
Borland has known him since his early teen years. Angeloni, he says, is very generous with his time and very willing to help anyone who has a need.
"The class of '48, it appears to me, is comprised of people willing to give of themselves," Borland says. "Dan has always kind of been the forerunner to those kinds of activities. He set a good standard for a lot of us."
Organizations' glue
Nobody has Angeloni's particular talent and flair for bringing people together, according to Bob Brey, a 1957 West Deer alumnus and Harrison resident. Brey calls Angeloni "the glue in a lot of organizations." Brey works with Angeloni on Allegheny Valley YMCA support projects, including the Y's Men, of which Brey is president.
Angeloni is past president of the Y's Men, serving for the last 10 years as its executive director.
"Dan's joy in life seems to be gathering around his fellow men," says Brey. "He is very family-oriented, very civic minded."
It's just something inside of you, the type of feeling you have about people, Angeloni says.
He was Brey's teacher in his junior and senior years in high school. Both also graduated from Grove City College, where Angeloni became editor both of the college newspaper, yearbook and the town's weekly newspaper. Naturally, he remains active with the Grove City alumni group.
Teacher, advisor, counselor
"Staying in contact with and identifying our former high school graduates, where they are and what's new with their families is a hobby of mine," Angeloni says. "Way down deep, I feel a little part of it because I had many of them in school, and I almost get the feeling I'm still with them in a way."
Brey says that Angeloni is doing important work bringing people together and chronicling the paths of so many residents through their lives.
"It gives you a sense of history," Brey says. "The children you grew up with, that's part of your life story."
Angeloni believes that every teacher believes to some degree that he or she is a part of every student they ever had in school. "When good things happen to a former student, in a way it happens also to that teacher," he says.
The joy in his 38 years in education, he says, was the privilege of being able to touch people's lives. He retired in 1989, having, through the years, been a guidance counselor, teacher of English and journalism, and advisor to the school newspaper and yearbook.
"It was being part of the good things that happened in a person's life, and seeing those things continue, and their children and grandchildren," Angeloni said. "You do sort of get the feeling you were part of those things in one way or another." Angeloni says he made some of his closest friends in life through education.
He last worked in guidance. Pierre says, "If God made a true guidance counselor, it is Dan."
His magic worked on adults, too.
Pierre: "I was a late bloomer and Dan encouraged me a lot. I didn't go to college until I was 37 had three children. Dan knew I thought about going and really encouraged me. I got all my degrees. He is a very altruistic, encouraging person, a supportive person." She taught in Woodland Hills School District in special education and secondary English.
During his years as a guidance counselor, Angeloni would try to motivate students by using the success stories of the school's graduates.
"I would point out that 'At the very desk where you are sitting, a graduate of ours by the name of Col. Jim Zachousky went out to achieve much success by becoming the chief pilot of Air Force One, the president's plane, for many years.' Or 'In these classrooms is where Monsignor John Squiller, president of St. Basil College in Connecticut, mastered his first Latin lessons."
It's also, he might tell them, where Col. Gene Buttyan and Major George Boyle, two of the most decorated airmen of the Vietnam war, worked so hard on their algebra and geometry lessons that would in due time assist them in mastering the cockpit instruments in their fighter planes.
Angeloni also would relate the many achievements of graduates who went in to police work, with the school once commended for having the largest number of high caliber police officers assigned to the Pennsylvania state police ranks.
"I think it became very effective in helping our West Deer/Deer Lakes young people aim for the stars, just like so many of their student predecessors had accomplished in previous years," he says.
As a guidance counselor, Angeloni often gave this advice to his students: "Accept and appreciate what you have now. Don't wait for what's going to happen next, 'When I get out of school' or 'When I'm older.' Really appreciate and get the most out of what you have now."
Angeloni certainly does. "I'm really one of those who never had a boring day since I was retired," he says, laughing. "Some want to slump in a corner and watch TV all day. That's not me."
Cub reporter
His introduction to writing and photography came during high school when he was a cub reporter helping Gladys Hess, Valley News Dispatch correspondent and, says Angeloni, "grand legendary lady of West Deer Township." She died in 1990, just short of her 100th birthday.
It seemed that Hess was known personally by virtually every township resident. She had been the community's correspondent for this newspaper for more than 60 years.
A plaque is mounted in the township municipal building which proclaims Gladys Hess as the "Legend of West Deer."
Angeloni says it was from Hess that he garnered his love for newspapering, and the ultimate admiration for his native community of West Deer.
"Gladys Hess used to emphatically proclaim to all that West Deer Township is just about the grandest place in the world in which to live," recalls Angeloni. "I have become thoroughly convinced that she was so right."
Although starting his adult career as a writer and photographer himself with various publications, including this newspaper, and with aspirations to head for what he hoped was "the big time," Angeloni says he was summoned by his former high school principal, William E. Burns, to return to his alma mater to teach.
Angeloni told him he wanted to go into journalism. Burns replied, "I'll give you all the journalism you want here." Teaching English, journalism and overseeing school publications did keep him involved, as did compiling notes and photos on school and township history.
It soon became known to anyone doing research on the community that they should call Angeloni if they needed information or photos about anything that ever happened in West Deer over the last 100 years.
Students writing research reports at Deer Lakes do it; media sources seeking to authenticate a story do it; old-timers trying to settle an argument over places and happenings do it; people attempting to locate a photograph of a particular location or person do it.
"The ever-accumulating boxes of photos and written material at home causes me a bit of family upheaval at times," Angeloni admits. "My wife, Mabel, is a spick-and-span, clean-up type of person, and I often need to get in to the garbage cans to salvage some of my historical material and photography which may have been 'downloaded' by Mabel for discard!"
Though many refer to Angeloni as West Deer's current "historian," the resident prefers the title bestowed on him by his high school classmates: "Our keeper of the archives, the ultimate resource person."
West Deer born and raised
Angeloni, raised in the Culmerville section of the township, and now a resident of the township's McGill Heights area, says he was born of immigrant Italian parents who in West Deer truly did find the community "a magnificent example of the melting pot exuberance which was engulfing the beckoning United States in the early 1900s."
He says that West Deer's farming, bituminous coal mining and railroad expansion became a magnet location for many diverse ethnic groups from throughout the world seeking a fulfilling family life.
He remembers the community values as always being wholesome, centered around the church and helping people around you.
His mom and dad and closest friends were "people persons," so it was natural, Angeloni concludes, that he became one, too.
"If something good happened to one of us, it seemed it was something good that happened to all of us, and if something bad happened to one of us, it seemed it was something bad that happened to all of us," he recalls.
Even after seeing and living in other parts of America in the military and the world on student trips, Angeloni's love for West Deer remained strong. He could have relocated elsewhere, but the township remained a magnet for him.
"That's the way it is and always will be," he says. "I feel comfortable here in every way. I don't see where I could have more fulfillment than here. When you do get the opportunity to see other areas, then you realize the value of what you have here, even the little things. West Deer is 30 square miles and we don't have one stop light."
Photographer of popes
As much as he loves West Deer, he once was designated by the late Lem Schwartz, colorful managing editor of this newspaper, as Tarentum's goodwill ambassador to Tarentum (now Taranto), Italy, which was celebrating its 2000th anniversary in 1951. Angeloni was in Europe on a student trip, and Schwartz arranged for him to take greetings from the mayor of Tarentum to the mayor in Italy.
"They were overjoyed," Angeloni recalls. He says he later took ribbing from friends for having kissed both cheeks of the communist mayor of the city.
While in Europe, he met with the staff of an American newspaper in Rome and was offered a position to stay and work. Angeloni says his mother was not pleased with the idea, His parents, however, were elated to see the photos he sent back of their son, a member of Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, shaking hands with the pope.
"It was extremely touching and meaningful for me getting to converse with the pope," he says. In returning trips he would have opportunity to photograph two other pontiffs.
Angeloni continued his interest in journalism in the Army, serving from 1953 to 1955 as public information officer at Fitzimons Army hospital in Denver.
He was in charge of dispatching news releases when President Eisenhower had his heart attack in 1955 and was recuperating at the hospital. Angeloni once photographed Ike attending a football game at Columbia.
Angeloni still was in high school when he photographed President Truman at a whistle stop in Pittsburgh.
He took some of his journalism students to a student press conference in Pittsburgh with Sen. John Kennedy when he was campaigning for president.
Jim Zachousky, one of Angeloni's students at the time, was in attendance. He later became pilot of Air Force One for at least three presidents.
At the press gathering, Jackie Kennedy autographed the cover of a famous Life magazine cover featuring the Kennedys for Angeloni.
There was an encounter of a different kind when Angeloni met Jimmy Carter at an event in the North Hills. The former president asked Angeloni, "Do you know where the bathroom is?"
Some of his favorite photographs are the personally posed First Lady shots of Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush.
Excited for West Deer's future
Still a member of several photography groups, including the Professional Photographers of America, Angeloni currently does photo restoration. Though he no longer freelances as a wedding photographer, he, not surprisingly for this people person, remains very close to many of the families whose weddings he photographed.
That for Angeloni, is what West Deer is all about: families, people, friendships, roots, memories.
"I sure would like to be around to see the flowering of this area over the next 25 years," he says. "West Deer, the second largest municipality in Allegheny County, is truly a rosebud about to bloom. Its space and its industrious populace have so much to offer for the betterment of not only the hometown area but also for all throughout this section of the state."
Angeloni is reminded of his old high school fight song that he and his friends sang on their way to football games: "West Deer Will Shine Tonight."
Angeloni: "I think that gung-ho song would be so appropriate in these exciting days ahead for our adventuresome community."
"Mr. West Deer" is looking forward to being part of it for as long as he can.
---
Dan Angeloni
Age: 72.
Hometown: West Deer.
Family: Wife, Mabel; daughter, Patricia Palermo of Marshall Township; two grandchildren.
Favorite thing about the Valley: "That it continues to be a clean and safe and open area, even though it has all its diversity in terms of people in the area."
Motto for the Valley: "The best is yet to come."
DAN ANGELONI: A LIFE LIVED TO ITS FULLEST
By Rex Rutkoski
“Mr. West Deer,” Dan Angeloni, who died July 17 at the age of 87, lived an amazingly full and colorful life as a writer, editor and photographer for more than 35 publications; as a family man, a teacher and guidance counselor, a community leader, historian, wedding photographer, Army veteran and so much more.
He loved and inspired his students at West Deer and Deer Lakes High Schools, many of whom he stayed in touch with throughout their careers, and he passionately loved his township.
He was one of my first mentors when I began my newspaper career in 1965, fresh out of Freeport High School, at the Valley Daily News (now the Trib’s Valley News Dispatch), a kind and gentle man who helped me believe in myself, just as he did for others, and offered encouragement throughout my 50 years in fulltime newspapering.
I covered my first election with Dan, who drove me to West Deer polling places throughout the night. In that era before computer polling, we had to get to the outdoor bulletin boards with our flash lights, where the results were posted, before someone took them.
Dan photographed seven U.S. presidents, three First Ladies, had a one-on-one audience with a pope, photographed three pontiffs and once even gave directions to the men's room to Jimmy Carter. Angeloni still was in high school when he photographed President Truman at a whistle stop in Pittsburgh. He took some of his journalism students to a student press conference in Pittsburgh with Sen. John Kennedy when he was campaigning for president.
Some of his favorite photos were the personally posed First Lady shots of Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush.
As much as he loved West Deer, he once was designated by the late Lem Schwartz, our colorful managing editor of the Valley Daily News , as Tarentum's goodwill ambassador to Tarentum (now Taranto), Italy, which was celebrating its 2000th anniversary in 1951. Schwartz arranged for him to take greetings from the mayor of Tarentum to the mayor in Italy.
I had the honor of writing an in-depth profile on Dan for the Valley News Dispatch in 2003, which follows here.
In his own way, Dan Angeloni, by his example, his passion and his kindness, made our corner of the world a better place. May he rest in well-earned peace. Our condolences to his family and many, many friends.
-30-
KEEPER OF WEST DEER’S FLAME
Rex Rutkoski | Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003
Valley News Dispatch
Dan Angeloni leans back in his chair, smiles and remarks, "The best is yet to come."
The optimism does not come as a surprise to those who know the veteran retired educator, and unabashedly proud citizen of West Deer, as he talks about the future of his beloved community and the Valley.
In a life rich in experience and real friendships with many people, Angeloni embraces the positive, not with Pollyanna's rose-colored glasses, but with a view from the heart.
He is a good man to have around anytime, especially when times don't always seem the best.
For most of his 72 years, he's had a knack for helping others believe in themselves.
Along the way, he has logged memorable experiences, including photographing seven U.S. presidents, three First Ladies, having a one-on-one audience with a pope, photographing three pontiffs and once even giving directions to the men's room to Jimmy Carter.
'Mr. West Deer'
"If anybody is Mr. West Deer or Mr. Deer Lakes (School District) it would be Dan. He always worked for the good of the community and still does," says Dolores Pierre of West Deer. A retired teacher, Pierre was a member of Angeloni's class of 1948 at West Deer High School, which merged into Deer Lakes. Pierre also is a former Deer Lakes school board member.
Angeloni was class president in 1948; in 2001, he was still a community leader and was named one of West Deer's "Distinguished Citizens of the Year."
In a most appropriate selection, Deer Lakes School District has named this community asset to be part of its Community Asset Mapping Committee, which will identify the area's attributes. The research is to be used to assist with academic instruction, work-based experiences and to provide information to young people for careers.
"He is really respected." says Pierre. "I don't think a single person in the community or anywhere would say a negative thing about Dan."
She and Angeloni have served on blue ribbon educational committees, and currently are helping to coordinate the Middle States evaluation of the school district.
She also works with Angeloni on one of his favorite projects, the very active West Deer High School Alumni Group, which he chairs. It encompasses former students from the first graduating class, 1945, through its last, 1969.
Members of the early West Deer classes meet monthly reminiscing about some of the good times of their era, which stretched through the Depression years, teen years during World War II and military service in Korea and Vietnam.
"Now they are the parents and grandparents of young people involved in current world unrest," he says.
Class of '48 alumnus Art Borland of Saxonburg, retired corporate secretary and head of human resources at Oberg Manufacturing, refers to Angeloni as "a pillar of the community-type guy."
Borland has known him since his early teen years. Angeloni, he says, is very generous with his time and very willing to help anyone who has a need.
"The class of '48, it appears to me, is comprised of people willing to give of themselves," Borland says. "Dan has always kind of been the forerunner to those kinds of activities. He set a good standard for a lot of us."
Organizations' glue
Nobody has Angeloni's particular talent and flair for bringing people together, according to Bob Brey, a 1957 West Deer alumnus and Harrison resident. Brey calls Angeloni "the glue in a lot of organizations." Brey works with Angeloni on Allegheny Valley YMCA support projects, including the Y's Men, of which Brey is president.
Angeloni is past president of the Y's Men, serving for the last 10 years as its executive director.
"Dan's joy in life seems to be gathering around his fellow men," says Brey. "He is very family-oriented, very civic minded."
It's just something inside of you, the type of feeling you have about people, Angeloni says.
He was Brey's teacher in his junior and senior years in high school. Both also graduated from Grove City College, where Angeloni became editor both of the college newspaper, yearbook and the town's weekly newspaper. Naturally, he remains active with the Grove City alumni group.
Teacher, advisor, counselor
"Staying in contact with and identifying our former high school graduates, where they are and what's new with their families is a hobby of mine," Angeloni says. "Way down deep, I feel a little part of it because I had many of them in school, and I almost get the feeling I'm still with them in a way."
Brey says that Angeloni is doing important work bringing people together and chronicling the paths of so many residents through their lives.
"It gives you a sense of history," Brey says. "The children you grew up with, that's part of your life story."
Angeloni believes that every teacher believes to some degree that he or she is a part of every student they ever had in school. "When good things happen to a former student, in a way it happens also to that teacher," he says.
The joy in his 38 years in education, he says, was the privilege of being able to touch people's lives. He retired in 1989, having, through the years, been a guidance counselor, teacher of English and journalism, and advisor to the school newspaper and yearbook.
"It was being part of the good things that happened in a person's life, and seeing those things continue, and their children and grandchildren," Angeloni said. "You do sort of get the feeling you were part of those things in one way or another." Angeloni says he made some of his closest friends in life through education.
He last worked in guidance. Pierre says, "If God made a true guidance counselor, it is Dan."
His magic worked on adults, too.
Pierre: "I was a late bloomer and Dan encouraged me a lot. I didn't go to college until I was 37 had three children. Dan knew I thought about going and really encouraged me. I got all my degrees. He is a very altruistic, encouraging person, a supportive person." She taught in Woodland Hills School District in special education and secondary English.
During his years as a guidance counselor, Angeloni would try to motivate students by using the success stories of the school's graduates.
"I would point out that 'At the very desk where you are sitting, a graduate of ours by the name of Col. Jim Zachousky went out to achieve much success by becoming the chief pilot of Air Force One, the president's plane, for many years.' Or 'In these classrooms is where Monsignor John Squiller, president of St. Basil College in Connecticut, mastered his first Latin lessons."
It's also, he might tell them, where Col. Gene Buttyan and Major George Boyle, two of the most decorated airmen of the Vietnam war, worked so hard on their algebra and geometry lessons that would in due time assist them in mastering the cockpit instruments in their fighter planes.
Angeloni also would relate the many achievements of graduates who went in to police work, with the school once commended for having the largest number of high caliber police officers assigned to the Pennsylvania state police ranks.
"I think it became very effective in helping our West Deer/Deer Lakes young people aim for the stars, just like so many of their student predecessors had accomplished in previous years," he says.
As a guidance counselor, Angeloni often gave this advice to his students: "Accept and appreciate what you have now. Don't wait for what's going to happen next, 'When I get out of school' or 'When I'm older.' Really appreciate and get the most out of what you have now."
Angeloni certainly does. "I'm really one of those who never had a boring day since I was retired," he says, laughing. "Some want to slump in a corner and watch TV all day. That's not me."
Cub reporter
His introduction to writing and photography came during high school when he was a cub reporter helping Gladys Hess, Valley News Dispatch correspondent and, says Angeloni, "grand legendary lady of West Deer Township." She died in 1990, just short of her 100th birthday.
It seemed that Hess was known personally by virtually every township resident. She had been the community's correspondent for this newspaper for more than 60 years.
A plaque is mounted in the township municipal building which proclaims Gladys Hess as the "Legend of West Deer."
Angeloni says it was from Hess that he garnered his love for newspapering, and the ultimate admiration for his native community of West Deer.
"Gladys Hess used to emphatically proclaim to all that West Deer Township is just about the grandest place in the world in which to live," recalls Angeloni. "I have become thoroughly convinced that she was so right."
Although starting his adult career as a writer and photographer himself with various publications, including this newspaper, and with aspirations to head for what he hoped was "the big time," Angeloni says he was summoned by his former high school principal, William E. Burns, to return to his alma mater to teach.
Angeloni told him he wanted to go into journalism. Burns replied, "I'll give you all the journalism you want here." Teaching English, journalism and overseeing school publications did keep him involved, as did compiling notes and photos on school and township history.
It soon became known to anyone doing research on the community that they should call Angeloni if they needed information or photos about anything that ever happened in West Deer over the last 100 years.
Students writing research reports at Deer Lakes do it; media sources seeking to authenticate a story do it; old-timers trying to settle an argument over places and happenings do it; people attempting to locate a photograph of a particular location or person do it.
"The ever-accumulating boxes of photos and written material at home causes me a bit of family upheaval at times," Angeloni admits. "My wife, Mabel, is a spick-and-span, clean-up type of person, and I often need to get in to the garbage cans to salvage some of my historical material and photography which may have been 'downloaded' by Mabel for discard!"
Though many refer to Angeloni as West Deer's current "historian," the resident prefers the title bestowed on him by his high school classmates: "Our keeper of the archives, the ultimate resource person."
West Deer born and raised
Angeloni, raised in the Culmerville section of the township, and now a resident of the township's McGill Heights area, says he was born of immigrant Italian parents who in West Deer truly did find the community "a magnificent example of the melting pot exuberance which was engulfing the beckoning United States in the early 1900s."
He says that West Deer's farming, bituminous coal mining and railroad expansion became a magnet location for many diverse ethnic groups from throughout the world seeking a fulfilling family life.
He remembers the community values as always being wholesome, centered around the church and helping people around you.
His mom and dad and closest friends were "people persons," so it was natural, Angeloni concludes, that he became one, too.
"If something good happened to one of us, it seemed it was something good that happened to all of us, and if something bad happened to one of us, it seemed it was something bad that happened to all of us," he recalls.
Even after seeing and living in other parts of America in the military and the world on student trips, Angeloni's love for West Deer remained strong. He could have relocated elsewhere, but the township remained a magnet for him.
"That's the way it is and always will be," he says. "I feel comfortable here in every way. I don't see where I could have more fulfillment than here. When you do get the opportunity to see other areas, then you realize the value of what you have here, even the little things. West Deer is 30 square miles and we don't have one stop light."
Photographer of popes
As much as he loves West Deer, he once was designated by the late Lem Schwartz, colorful managing editor of this newspaper, as Tarentum's goodwill ambassador to Tarentum (now Taranto), Italy, which was celebrating its 2000th anniversary in 1951. Angeloni was in Europe on a student trip, and Schwartz arranged for him to take greetings from the mayor of Tarentum to the mayor in Italy.
"They were overjoyed," Angeloni recalls. He says he later took ribbing from friends for having kissed both cheeks of the communist mayor of the city.
While in Europe, he met with the staff of an American newspaper in Rome and was offered a position to stay and work. Angeloni says his mother was not pleased with the idea, His parents, however, were elated to see the photos he sent back of their son, a member of Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, shaking hands with the pope.
"It was extremely touching and meaningful for me getting to converse with the pope," he says. In returning trips he would have opportunity to photograph two other pontiffs.
Angeloni continued his interest in journalism in the Army, serving from 1953 to 1955 as public information officer at Fitzimons Army hospital in Denver.
He was in charge of dispatching news releases when President Eisenhower had his heart attack in 1955 and was recuperating at the hospital. Angeloni once photographed Ike attending a football game at Columbia.
Angeloni still was in high school when he photographed President Truman at a whistle stop in Pittsburgh.
He took some of his journalism students to a student press conference in Pittsburgh with Sen. John Kennedy when he was campaigning for president.
Jim Zachousky, one of Angeloni's students at the time, was in attendance. He later became pilot of Air Force One for at least three presidents.
At the press gathering, Jackie Kennedy autographed the cover of a famous Life magazine cover featuring the Kennedys for Angeloni.
There was an encounter of a different kind when Angeloni met Jimmy Carter at an event in the North Hills. The former president asked Angeloni, "Do you know where the bathroom is?"
Some of his favorite photographs are the personally posed First Lady shots of Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush.
Excited for West Deer's future
Still a member of several photography groups, including the Professional Photographers of America, Angeloni currently does photo restoration. Though he no longer freelances as a wedding photographer, he, not surprisingly for this people person, remains very close to many of the families whose weddings he photographed.
That for Angeloni, is what West Deer is all about: families, people, friendships, roots, memories.
"I sure would like to be around to see the flowering of this area over the next 25 years," he says. "West Deer, the second largest municipality in Allegheny County, is truly a rosebud about to bloom. Its space and its industrious populace have so much to offer for the betterment of not only the hometown area but also for all throughout this section of the state."
Angeloni is reminded of his old high school fight song that he and his friends sang on their way to football games: "West Deer Will Shine Tonight."
Angeloni: "I think that gung-ho song would be so appropriate in these exciting days ahead for our adventuresome community."
"Mr. West Deer" is looking forward to being part of it for as long as he can.
---
Dan Angeloni
Age: 72.
Hometown: West Deer.
Family: Wife, Mabel; daughter, Patricia Palermo of Marshall Township; two grandchildren.
Favorite thing about the Valley: "That it continues to be a clean and safe and open area, even though it has all its diversity in terms of people in the area."
Motto for the Valley: "The best is yet to come."
Message from The Vitkay Family
July 29, 2017 11:22 PM
Dear Patty, Ms. Tantlinger, Tony, Joe and Lia,
Please accept out heartfelt sympathies in your loss of Danny.
We all enjoyed the photos he sent to us over the years of you
he cared for so much! He always showed interest in what we
were attempting and his caring support is remembered by us all.
He had a real impact in the School District and Community and
made a difference for so many. He had a very distinctive writing
style too that we all enjoyed. We all lost a friend and wonderful
role model. God Bless You and Comfort You.
Please accept out heartfelt sympathies in your loss of Danny.
We all enjoyed the photos he sent to us over the years of you
he cared for so much! He always showed interest in what we
were attempting and his caring support is remembered by us all.
He had a real impact in the School District and Community and
made a difference for so many. He had a very distinctive writing
style too that we all enjoyed. We all lost a friend and wonderful
role model. God Bless You and Comfort You.
Message from Michelle Roberts McDownell
July 27, 2017 7:29 PM
Mr.Angeloni was a great teacher,counselor and friend. I kept in touch with him after I graduated highschool . He was at my 1st wedding. He will be sadly missed by so many people. But he is now back with the love of his life. Patty sorry I,couldn't make the viewing.
Message from Marian Cecchini Cummings
July 25, 2017 11:28 AM
So very sorry. Had Dan for journalism class when he was just a kid!! What a great person who did so much for the alumni. He came to the funeral home for my sister, my mother and father. Kept in touch through the scholarship fund and newsletters. He will be forever missed by so many. Marian Cecchini Cummings Class of 1958
A candle was lit by Father Ed Czemerda
on July 23, 2017 4:07 PM
Message from Father Ed Czemerda
July 23, 2017 4:06 PM
I just found out that Mr Angeloni passed away. My prayers and sympathy to his family. He was a source of calmness, caring & encouragement that I will never forget. It was a blessing to have known him. May he Rest In Peace.
Message from Linda Albert
July 23, 2017 3:23 PM
Mr. Angeloni was our wedding photographer 50 years ago, March 25, 1967. That may have been his first or near the first wedding he photographed and he did a fabulous job! At our recent 50th Anniversary Party, many of his photos were included in a "memory slideshow". Thank you Patti Angeloni Palermo for making it possible for us to include those precious photos. I had forgotten that Mr. Angeloni and I shared a birthday and an Alma Mater (Grove City).
A candle was lit by Gloria Mialky
on July 22, 2017 11:17 PM
A candle was lit by Ron and Elaine Watkins
on July 21, 2017 9:59 PM
Message from Mrs. Toni E. (Simonetti) Zembrowski
July 21, 2017 7:53 PM
To a man I have known since Junior High School who was my guidance counselor; no matter where you would see you, Mr. Angeloni, would always remember my name.. He was a very polite and very understanding person. I have not seen him for a while, but will never forget him. I know he is now going to a better place and will do a good job for our dear Lord. May his soul Rest In Peace.
Message from Patricia Lasick Reilly
July 21, 2017 3:22 PM
Danny we will miss you dearly. You attended everyone of our reunions. Dan you inspired me in English class and will always remember you.
Class of 1959. 🌹
RIP
Class of 1959. 🌹
RIP
A candle was lit by Patricia Lasick Reilly
on July 21, 2017 3:17 PM
A candle was lit by Michael and JoLyn Tantlinger
on July 21, 2017 12:44 PM
A Spathiphyllum was sent on July 21, 2017
Thank you for a life that so constructively influenced and impacted so many of us. With love. Sandy (D'Amico) and Bob Ehrhorn
Message from Matt Vidmar
July 21, 2017 11:15 AM
Nothing but the greatest memories of Uncle Dan. What a genuine person who was fun, kind, generous, and positively influential to so many others. Uncle Dan was probably my father's best friend going all the way back to their childhood, and we have so many good memories of when our families were together for holidays and more. He treated us like we were an extension of his own family, and I respected who he was as a person and his values and chose him as my Confirmation sponsor. He stoked my own interest in photography, and I remember helping him as an "apprentice" on several wedding shoots. He was the kind of person that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, and never ask for anything in return. Thank you Uncle Dan for being the person you were, you will be greatly missed.
Love, Matt, Stephanie, Parker & Sydney Vidmar
Love, Matt, Stephanie, Parker & Sydney Vidmar
Message from Cathy Sopko/Zebracki
July 21, 2017 8:07 AM
Mr. Angeloni was such a special person to me, my parents and everyone he touched. He was so knowledgeable when it came to the Township. I would refer people, residents to him all of the time. He was so helpful and enjoyed helping people.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He will be sadly missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He will be sadly missed.
Message from Norma Jean Busin Franklin
July 20, 2017 11:45 PM
Rest in peace my dear friend and childhood neighbor..
Norma and Mark Franklin
Norma and Mark Franklin
Message from Marilyn Bibza Childress
July 20, 2017 5:43 PM
Mr. Angeloni was a true role model to all of us who knew him by graduating from Deer Lakes. He helped me personally have the courage to apply to Grove City College and get accepted and graduate with honors from GCC. Mr. Angeloni also took pictures of my wedding which I will always cherish. Saddened at his passing but know he is with his heavenly father and I will see him in the future. Sincerest Sympathy to the family.
Message from barb washburn
July 20, 2017 3:27 PM
We were sorry to hear of your loss. Dan meant so much to our neice Jordan and we know she Loved him Dearly. We will Pray for your Family during this difficult time.
God Bless, Mike and Barb Washburn
God Bless, Mike and Barb Washburn
Message from Myrna McCullough
July 20, 2017 1:12 PM
Danny was my high schoolteacher. We did many plays for some of the classes. He also was a good friend of our family (Kirchner). And he visited when my father and mother passed away. I will always remember him for the kindness that he showed to others. My peace to the family.
Blessings,
Myrna McCullough
Blessings,
Myrna McCullough
Message from Vera Marynarczyk
July 20, 2017 10:19 AM
He was a wonderful man...Rest in peace
Message from Vera Marynarczyk
July 20, 2017 10:15 AM
I have wonderful memories..Rest in peace
A candle was lit by Vera Decker3
on July 20, 2017 10:07 AM
A candle was lit by Cathy Sopko(Zebracki)
on July 20, 2017 9:21 AM
Message from Carol Hepler-Senge
July 20, 2017 6:40 AM
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
My mother, Lillian Colangeli-Hepler, grew up with Danny and lived close by growing up. She always spoke highly of him. She passed away last year and many other of their classmates have passed since then. I am certain they are all reminiscing of the good old days and enjoying each other's company again.
Prayers at this difficult time.
My mother, Lillian Colangeli-Hepler, grew up with Danny and lived close by growing up. She always spoke highly of him. She passed away last year and many other of their classmates have passed since then. I am certain they are all reminiscing of the good old days and enjoying each other's company again.
Prayers at this difficult time.
A candle was lit by Carol Hepler-Senge
on July 20, 2017 6:36 AM
Message from John M. Vidmar
July 20, 2017 12:02 AM
I was privileged to have Uncle Danny as my Godfather. He was a great friend to our family and took a real interest in our sports, academics and new jobs later in life. We enjoyed many a great New Years eve that started with a dinner at Horn of Plenty or another restaurant and ended back at the Vidmar house for ping pong, bumper pool, or fireworks in the back yard. Uncle Dan was a kid at heart and our Christmas gifts were often a remote control car or electronic game that Uncle Dan had "tested" to make sure it met his approval. He cared deeply about others and was a great friend to my parents Harry and Olga as he and Aunt Mabel shared both the happy and tough times in life. Uncle Dan made many great family videos and took countless photos of his gang and ours as he liked to call those closest to him. I will miss him greatly but the happy memories are special ones that I will always cherish. He was truly a legend in West Deer and beyond as he cared about so many people and made their lives better with a great sense of humor, kind heart, and generous spirit. Take care and goodbye Uncle Dan, we love you.
John, Linda, Tyler, Emily and Dylan Vidmar.
John, Linda, Tyler, Emily and Dylan Vidmar.
Message from Catherine Gandziarski Hornsby
July 19, 2017 7:54 PM
Mr. Angeloni will be dearly missed. I was privileged to know him as a guidance counselor at Deer Lakes and have him photograph my wedding. My deepest sympathies to his family.
A candle was lit by Mary Fitton Craft
on July 19, 2017 4:08 PM
A Sweet and Warm RemembrancePedestal Arrangement was ordered on July 19, 2017
A candle was lit by Melissa and Bret Baillie
on July 19, 2017 3:07 PM
Message from Sharon Laczek Malhotra
July 19, 2017 2:10 PM
Mr. Angeloni was a tremendous blessing to so many of us. Blessings to his family and all. I know that my family will miss him very, very much. Much love to you, Patti, and your family. He now walks with Trudy and the rest, in a beautiful place. My heart is with you.
A candle was lit by Sharon Laczek Malhotra
on July 19, 2017 2:07 PM
Message from Paul Smith
July 19, 2017 12:59 PM
Mr. Angeloni as we called him, was our guidance counselor back in the late 70's and early 80's. He was a major influence to me (and many, many others) on which path to take academically to ensure the goals I had were met and they were. When a meeting was arranged with this man to discuss your future endeavors, it was one on one, no teachers or parents, just a large pile of folders. His contributions to our community! Well I need not to say about those. Great man!
Message from Paula Gordon Smiith
July 19, 2017 12:39 PM
Condolences to the family of a mighty popular man and teacher. He will be missed at future class reunions but we know he will be there in spirit.
Message from Patricia Stanish
July 19, 2017 12:00 PM
My heart is sad that Danny is no longer with us but so thankful that we had the honor to have known and loved him. Our family and Danny shared a lifelong respect and admiration for each other sharing many of our happiest and saddest occasions of our lives. A marvelous human being..
Message from Linda Roeder
July 19, 2017 11:40 AM
We all share in this time of grief but also share in the love and memories of Mr. Angeloni and all his good deeds for students and the community. I know you are resting in peace and still watching over your students from Heaven.
Message from Beth (Grunden) Kendra
July 19, 2017 11:39 AM
So sorry for your loss, Patti, he was truly the greatest person. My mom was your babysitter and he took my parents wedding pictures. They were his first wedding, then 25 years later he took mine wedding photos. West Deer/Deer Lakes will never be the same. He talked about you and your children all the time. So proud of all of you. Prayers and Hugs to you and your family.
A candle was lit by Linda Roeder
on July 19, 2017 11:37 AM
Message from Roger Johns
July 19, 2017 11:33 AM
Danny was a real West Deer guy. He will be missed by all who knew this true gentleman. He was a friend of our Family fondly remembered but never forgotten. Bless him and Family.
A candle was lit by Linda Neu Ollis
on July 19, 2017 11:04 AM
Dan will be so missed by so many.
He was one of the most caring and authentic gentleman I've ever known . He brought positivity to every encounter and truly celebrated our accomplishments.
We met last at a class reunion in 2014 and he was as charming and joyful as ever.
Thanks to Dan's family for sharing him with us.
Love and sympathy.
Dan will be so missed by so many.
He was one of the most caring and authentic gentleman I've ever known . He brought positivity to every encounter and truly celebrated our accomplishments.
We met last at a class reunion in 2014 and he was as charming and joyful as ever.
Thanks to Dan's family for sharing him with us.
Love and sympathy.
A Table Memorial with Trinity of Candles was sent on July 19, 2017
"Maybe that's what life is... a wink of the eye and winking stars. " Jack Kerouac To be blessed by a star so bright in this life is the closest to be near an angel. Thank you God for blessing our lives with our Uncle Danny. Love Janet, Cindy, Todd & Marianne Beatty
Message from Arlene McCullough
July 19, 2017 9:23 AM
Patti, my sincere condolences go out to you and your family and to Stella. I'm so sorry, due to an injury, that I'm unable to pay my respects in person. Dan was a very special person. I loved him dearly. I also knew and loved your mom. Blessings to you and your family! May your dear father Rest In Peace!
Message from Carol S. Peluchette McAtee
July 19, 2017 8:54 AM
Mr. Angeloni was such a nice man . He will be missed by many.
Message from Johanna Carion Jackson
July 19, 2017 8:09 AM
Rest In Peace Mr Angeloni. A sweet man who always had great advice for us 'youngsters'. Thank you for being such a great counselor and always a smile to greet you. Condolences to his family.
Message from The Valletto Family
July 19, 2017 7:57 AM
I lovingly referred to him as 'Uncle Danny' - he and my father Vic Valletto graduated together from West Deer in 1948 and remained life-long friends. I know he got a big 'West Deer Welcome' in heaven on Monday. He was the life and historian of West Deer and never let the memories from the Class of '48 fade - we miss his newsletters and we will miss Danny dearly. Thanks for always putting others first and being such a presence in our lives.
Fondly,
Charlotte and Lisa Valletto
Fondly,
Charlotte and Lisa Valletto
Message from Elaine Leya Morrow
July 19, 2017 7:54 AM
Mr A was always such a positive force in my life during my school years. He had a way of making everyone he knew feel like his best friend. You will always hold a special place in my heart my friend , and I know God has a special place for you in Heaven with Mrs A. .My deepest sympathy to the Angeloni family.
Message from Raymond A Pontremoli & Family
July 19, 2017 7:29 AM
One of the best men that God ever put on this earth and I was privileged to be able to call him my friend. He gave freely, asked for nothing in return and was happy to do it. I will never forget you, Dan. Now go do portraits with Gods light....!!!!
A candle was lit by Michelle Reid
on July 19, 2017 5:52 AM
A candle was lit by Mary Callahan
on July 19, 2017 5:41 AM
Message from Terry (Lamperski) Katz
July 18, 2017 11:04 PM
Mr. Angeloni had the greatest impact on my life. He taught me the basics of journalism at West Deer High School (Class of 1962) and never stopped encouraging me as a reporter. I am forever grateful to him and I will miss him dearly.
A candle was lit by Donna Allen Bonin
on July 18, 2017 10:18 PM
Message from Lisa Cowfer
July 18, 2017 10:04 PM
So sorry for the family's loss. He was a great guy! Thought's & Prayer's go out to the family & friend's. Will alway's remember him. I got my year book from the school about a month ago and found out it was actually his from 1988. God Bless You Mr. Angeloni, RIP.
A candle was lit by Sam Smallwood
on July 18, 2017 10:04 PM
Message from Carl Potensky
July 18, 2017 10:03 PM
Mr. Angeloni always had time to speak to all students. He was such a devoted person to his family, community and to West Deer High. Always remember Mr. Angeloni at all the sporting events getting ready to capture that one photo that would inspire the entire school. I know the entire class of 60 will remember Mr. Angeloni. God bless him and my condolences to his family and friends.
A candle was lit by Lisa Cowfer
on July 18, 2017 9:55 PM
Message from Dawn Roche Weiss
July 18, 2017 9:48 PM
Mr Angeloni was such a wonderful person. Cared about others so much. My parents were his first wedding pictures in color. You will truely be missed. RIP Mr Angeloni and thank you for everything. Thoughts and prayers for his family.
A candle was lit by Jean A Slimick
on July 18, 2017 9:05 PM
Message from Jean Ann Slimick
July 18, 2017 9:03 PM
Many prayer with the family
He was such an awesome man, my HS guidence counselor and friend later in my adult life
It was always with a warm and friendly greeting each time we would see each other
He always had a kind word and I will always remember his big bright smile
Rest in peace
He was such an awesome man, my HS guidence counselor and friend later in my adult life
It was always with a warm and friendly greeting each time we would see each other
He always had a kind word and I will always remember his big bright smile
Rest in peace
Message from Georgia McKinniss Meister
July 18, 2017 8:54 PM
Mr Angeloni was a very important part of my High school years and the years that followed. He was a inspiration to me. I worked with him on the school year book, went to the worlds fair and also kept in touch with him through the years. He took the pictures at my wedding. We are celebrating our 50th anniversary next year. Even after I moved out of the area he kept in touch with my mom and dad. he was a blessing to so many young people . He will be missed, but I know he is with the Lord and reunited with his loving wife. God Bless his family.
A candle was lit by Lynnette M (Ehlinger) Dobson
on July 18, 2017 8:28 PM
Message from Donna (Fpsmaught) Thornton and Edward Thornton
July 18, 2017 8:26 PM
So sorry for the loss of such a great man. I was blessed to have Dan Angeloni as teacher/counsellor all through my Jr. and Sr. High School years. He was such a great friend to we students. He will never be forgotten. Also he was kind enough to take our Wedding Portrait at our Wedding Reception in 1971. Sympathies go out to the family, friends and all the students blessed to know Mr. Angeloni!
A candle was lit by Douglas Robertson
on July 18, 2017 7:41 PM
A candle was lit by Glenn Trevellini
on July 18, 2017 7:23 PM
A candle was lit by Denise Pillart Kelly
on July 18, 2017 7:17 PM
Message from Glenn Trevellini
July 18, 2017 7:15 PM
Dan was a wonderful Person,Teacher, Counselor and a family friend. My condolences to his family. May Dan Rest In Peace
A candle was lit by Deanna Casselberry Blystone
on July 18, 2017 6:57 PM
A candle was lit by Shirley (Hollibaugh) Wygant
on July 18, 2017 6:37 PM
A candle was lit by Priscilla M Chabal
on July 18, 2017 6:17 PM
Message from Priscilla Chabal
July 18, 2017 6:16 PM
Without Danny, my life would have been very different. I like to think that he saved my life. I will never forget him. Fly with the angels.
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