WILLIAM J. AMATO

AMATO WILLIAM J. AMATO, age 85. Beloved husband of Joanne (nee Denman). Loving father of Anthony, Michelle Falvo (Dean), Lisa Amato (Patrick McCarty), Joey (Jenette), and Jennifer Stastny (Ray). Grandfather of Annette Falvo-Katona (Mike), Dina Wolanin (Andre), Sharee Stastny, Kathryn, Ally, Joey Jr., and Carly. Great Grandfather of Colette (Coco) Katona. Dear brother of Joseph (deceased)(Joan), Carmellina DiPasquale (Vince)(both deceased), Angelo (Josie), Larry (deceased)(Joann), Anthony (Pat), and Frank (deceased). Also survived by nieces, nephews and many dear friends. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association. Funeral service Monday August 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends SUNDAY 1-5 PM at the A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HTS. (WEST OF I-71). William (AKA Will, Bill, Daddy, Papa, Mr. Reddi, Uncle Willie, Wild Bill) Amato was born on April 16, 1932 in Cleveland to Jennie and Anthony Amato and was the third of seven children. He grew up on the city's east side and graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1950. He married Joanne Denman on October 4, 1958. They had five children - Anthony, Michelle (Dean), Lisa (Pat), Joey (Jenette) and Jennifer (Ray), and lived on Anita Drive in Parma Heights for many years. In 1977, he opened Reddi's Pizza in Brook Park where it remains today as a beloved local business by customers near and far. Mr. Amato was loved by countless people during his life. He was best known for his humor, his generosity, his delicious pizza, and how much love followed him everywhere he went. He loved his children endlessly, and through all of the years in running his pizza place with them and later, his grandchildren, he raised them all as entrepreneurs. He was known by many in Brook Park as much for his "unique" phone order-taking style as he was known for his pizza. He loved to play golf and to go fishing on the Intercoastal of New Smyrna Beach, Florida where the family spent many vacations together. Mr. Amato could often be found at the blackjack table with his sons-in-law, or sipping on a margarita, or watching the ballgame in his chair wearing one of his trademark brimmed caps, always a with a houseful: his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren... and probably all of their friends and most of the neighborhood. He never ran out of pastries or fruit in the house. His favorite thing in the world was going out to eat with the people he loved. He was the best Papa ever to his seven grandchildren: Annette (Mike), Dina (Andre), Sharee, Kathryn, Ally, Joey and Carly. His newest addition, great-granddaughter Coco, was all he talked about and he loved her immensely. Truly, the love that he had for his family was seen and felt by everyone who knew him. His generosity was unmatched. He had an exceptional and beautiful life, and peacefully entered into rest surrounded by his family. To everyone that knew him and loved him, there will now be a piece missing that cannot ever be replaced, but his legacy of love and the generosity of his spirit will shine on through each us that he leaves behind. He was precious and loved beyond words. He was one of a kind... there was just no one else like him in the world. FALVO - see AMATO NOTICE STASTNY - see AMATO NOTICE Visitation August 20, 2017 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM A.RIPEPI & SONS FUNERAL HOME 18149 BAGLEY ROAD MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH (440) 260-8800 Funeral Service August 21, 2017 11:00 AM A.RIPEPI & SONS FUNERAL HOME 18149 BAGLEY ROAD MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH (440) 260-8800 Interment Holy Cross Cemetery 14609 Brookpark Road Brook Park, OH 1-216-267-2850