1947 - 2008

Little did Teresa and Pasquale Maggio know that on August 4, 1947, they brought into the world a very special little bambino. Angelo Vittorio Maggio was born in Rapallo Italy and in the same vain as many Europeans, his family decided to come to America in a search for new opportunities. The family settled in the Bay Area in the late 50's and San Francisco would never be the same.

Angelo grew up in the Potrero Hill neighborhood and quickly adapted to American youth culture. As a younger man, Angelo enlisted in the Coast Guard and was stationed at Treasure Island for the entire time of his service. Once out in the civilian world again, he experimented with many career choices, including acting, but then landed a job with Sunset Scavengers. It was at this time that he got involved in the San Francisco Community Softball League by playing with Dino's Liquors in the early 1970's. Angelo was a versatile player and loved the fun competition the softball league encouraged. It should also be noted that while he enjoyed actually playing in sports, sometimes his desire to listen to some games, in the warm sun, in his vehicle, overpowered his ability to fully participate! (if needed, ask a Huffin Puffin for explanation) Angelo became part owner of the Pilsner Inn in 1989 and the Pilsner "legacy" grew. Angelo and partner, Pat Conlon, were and continue to be, solid "athletic supporters" in the community by sponsoring a wide range of activities including soccer, rowing, softball, tennis, billiards, touch football, and bowling for over 28 years. Angelo had a very generous soul and being involved in these opportunities gave him great satisfaction. He loved seeing other people have as much fun as he was having.

Angelo was proud to be an avid bowler. One of his greatest bowling accomplishments was bowling a perfect game, a 300, twice! Unfortunately, the first time he bowled a 300 was in a No-Tap tournament. Although all of his strikes were legitimate strikes, the tourney was not sanctioned by the bowling organization, and he didn't get credit for it. So in the "Well, I'll show you" attitude Angelo possessed, he did it again, in league play not long after. Angelo's flexible personality and attitude became evident when the strains of his work and sports became too much for this right-handed bowler to take. He gracefully switched to bowling left-handed with no apparent self-consciousness (once a switch-hitter, always a switch-hitter). He just wanted to be able to play the game.

In addition to the sporting life, Angelo considered himself a connoisseur of antiques, wines, science fiction, Discovery nature movies, mushrooms, tropical plants, and all things Kauai.

As leisurely as he enjoyed life, he left us all too abruptly. Even before his illness hit, he confided that he had experienced life to its fullest. He was also lucky enough to find a person with whom to share in his life. Many of you will remember the man in flannel, in the patio with a cup of coffee, feeding fish, sweeping, drinking margaritas on the anniversaries, preparing the BBQ for yet another fundraiser, taking care of the orchids, or constructing another building project "a la Angelo". Some of you also got a chance to spend more intimate times with a very generous, tolerant, fun-loving, trustworthy friend and lover. We are sure there are many "Angelo stories" you can think back on and remember what you have shared with him, and we hope you do.

— Pat Conlon and Karen Smith