Angelo Volpe, who founded Angelo's Pizza Villa in Wausau more than five decades ago, died peacefully on Dec. 17, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was 90.

Angelo was born May 24, 1933 in Chicago to Peter and Margaret Volpe. He married the love of his life, Janet, in 1962, and the couple spent 53 years together before Janet's death in 2015. The family is comforted in the knowledge that the two are reunited for eternity.

Thanks to a football scholarship, Angelo attended college but quit and moved back home when he realized he couldn't afford to eat anything but blueberry pie for dinner. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and had a lifelong love of this country and appreciation for those in military service.

Angelo and Janet launched The Pizza Villa in 1956 in DeKalb, Ill. at a time when a large Villa DeLuxe cost just $3.95 – with delivery for 25 cents. The couple moved to Wausau to pave the way for a quieter, safer life for their family and opened the first Angelo's Pizza in Wausau in the 1960s on Jackson Street in the lower level of the former Northern Hotel. When the hotel was demolished to make way for the Wausau Center mall, Angelo moved the business to its current Sixth Street location in 1979 and remained active in the family business well after his retirement. He prided himself in getting up at 3 a.m. and driving to the restaurant each week to help his family and staff at the restaurant and did so until just weeks before his death.

Angelo was a legend in Wausau, a proud member of the Italian Men's Club, where he cooked and planned countless functions. A world class cook, he prepared meals for many family weddings and parties and hosted incredible dinners for his family and friends. Over the past few years, he woke up each morning and made a plate of eggs for the dog he pretended to hate, Walter, who loved him fiercely and will miss him forever. Angelo loved nothing more than spending time each week with his loyal friends who would solve the world's problems together over a glass of whiskey in his basement bar.

Nothing, though, compared to the years spent with Janet, traveling to the Bahamas and other locations, collecting antiques, cooking and making people laugh. He spoiled Janet rotten and delighted in doing so, never questioning her judgment. He would never truly recover from losing her.

Angelo is survived by his children Peter Volpe (Renee), Ringle; Teresa Volpe-Vercimak, of Weston; Maria Volpe, of Merrill; his grandchildren Emily Casteel (Jason), of Pardeeville; Elliott Johnson, of Weston; McKenzie Danielson (Brady), of Weston; Valerie Willis (Herb), of Waco, Tex.; John Sonnentag, of Kronenwetter; Jackson Rammer, of Madison; Sophia Volpe, of Merrill; Amanda (Derek) Gauger, Pete Volpe (Julia); his great-grandchildren Onan, Annabelle and Elias Casteel; Mason and Carrigan Willis; Liam and Haddie Gauger; Cole and Alex Volpe. He is further survived by his sister, Annette Snell, of Oswego, Ill.

In addition to his beloved Janet, he was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Margaret Volpe; his sister Ann Marie and her husband Bob Johnson; his grandson Jalen Vercmak; and his son-in-law, James Vercimak.

The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Compassus Hospice for their help in caring for Angelo in his final days. We are eternally grateful for the support.

Angelo's legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and through his many friends and loyal customers who delighted in knowing him throughout the years.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home in Schofield, followed by a 3 p.m. memorial service.

Online condolences can be made at www.honorone.com. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time.