Emanuel Starvaggi

Emanuel Starvaggi, of Weirton, WV, passed away on January 8, 2021, at the Weirton Medical Center. He was 77 years old. Emanuel was born in San Angelo, Sicily, on February 16, 1943, one of five children born to Francesco Paolo and Giovanna Saporito Starvaggi. Emanuel lived in the small town of San Angelo until he was fourteen years old when his family moved to Barcellona, Sicily. Emanuel attended school in Barcellona and also learned how to be a barber. When Emanuel was 19 years old, he traveled to Sydney, Australia, where his brother Joseph and Lola Starvaggi lived. Not knowing the language was difficult at first, but Emanuel found work in a factory that manufactured airplane parts. He was the factory’s hairstylist. He also was a waiter in a private club as he went to school at night to learn the language. In 1966, Emanuel purchased a round trip ticket to the United States of America to visit his aunt and uncle in Weirton, WV. While in Weirton, he fell in love with a secretary who worked for his Uncle Mike, they dated, and on September 23, 1967, he married Teresa DeCaria. Emanuel worked at Starvaggi Industries, he spent a year learning at Weirton Madonna and went to Business College. He soon became an American Citizen, and he and his wife Teresa were blessed with two children, Michael and Angela. Through their 53 years of marriage, Emanuel and Teresa were blessed again with four grandchildren. In the early '70s, Emanuel's brother and his family came to America. After years of working for their uncle at Starvaggi Industries, Emanual and his brother Joseph went into partnership and purchased Ice Products, Inc. The corporation consisted of three companies, a small grocery store, a skating rink, and an ice plant. In 1993 Emanuel and his brother sold the business. Soon after, Emanuel sold the business. Emanuel's entrepreneurial spirit had him teaming up with William "Bill" DeLorenzo, where they owned and operated EpiCenter, an adult care facility for residents with mental handicaps. An astute businessman throughout his life, Emanuel was finally able to reap the rewards of all his hard work by semi- retiring. Nothing made Emanuel happier than when he was with his friends and family. His friends were just like family to him. He welcomed them into his home, where he could share his passion for cooking and conversation as good food and drink were shared around his table daily. Emanuel also loved to join his friends Romie Castelli, Ed Klee, and crew for Saturday breakfast. He also loved traveling, with Robert Capito and their wives, golfing with the guys in Myrtle Beach, and attending Steeler games on Sunday. Emanuel was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Holy Name, Knights of Columbus 3734, where he was the captain of his bocce team, and a member of the Italian Cultural Club. Most of all, Emanuel will be remembered as a compassionate, trustworthy, loyal friend and family man who left an indelible mark on those who were blessed to be part of his life. In addition to his parents, Emanuel was preceded in death by his sister, Michaela Scolaro. He will be remembered with love and admiration by his wife, Teresa, his son, Michael and Jean Starvaggi; his daughter, Angela and Jeff Brncic, his grandchildren, Sophia, Tony and AnnaMarie Starvaggi, and Domenic Brncic; his brother, Joseph Starvaggi, and sisters, Maria Ceraolo, and Francesca Monterosso; sister in law, Lola Starvaggi, and the many friends who were like family. A private visitation will be held on Monday at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV. Friends and family are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday at 10:00 AM at Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joseph the Worker 229 California Avenue Weirton, WV 26062, or to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Emanuel will be laid to rest at Saint Paul's Cemetery in Weirton. Fortunately for all of us, he never used the second part of his round-trip ticket. Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com