At age 92, Silvio Impagliazzo worked the concession stand at West Babylon Senior High School’s homecoming football game last fall to volunteer his time before taking a seat to watch the on-field action with one of his sons. But what stands out for Paul Impagliazzo when he remembers that day with his father isn’t the game they saw but all the families who said hello. One family stopped by, and both parents and their three children had been part of a CYO sports program Silvio Impagliazzo ran locally for more than five decades. “He smiled at me when they walked away and said, ‘I get so much more back than I ever gave,’ ” recalled Paul Impagliazzo, 61, of Delray Beach, Florida. The elder Impagliazzo, who was inducted into the West Babylon Alumni Foundation’s Hall of Fame despite never attending the district’s schools, died April 22, according to his family. He was 93. The father of six, who previously worked in finance for 45 years, died from complications of coronavirus at Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Center in West Islip after fighting pneumonia, said his daughter Diane Colletti, of East Islip. Impagliazzo was “a West Babylon icon” who never stopped organizing youth sports and related fundraising efforts after his own children had grown up, said Ralph Rienzo, the Alumni Foundation’s president. “You could always count on Sil,” he added. In 1975, Impagliazzo was instrumental in founding the West Babylon Parents Sports Association, and it funded more than $120,000 in scholarships for district graduates under his leadership, according to his Hall of Fame profile. He ran the association into his 90s, his family said. Born in the Bronx to Italian immigrants, Impagliazzo chose service in the U.S. Navy in World War II over an acceptance to Columbia University. As a young man, he excelled at baseball and had a tryout — albeit an unsuccessful one — with the Yankees, said Colletti. Impagliazzo met Joanie O’Meara at a church social and they married in 1955. They later bought the Bermuda Road home where they raised their children together before she died of a brain aneurysm when their youngest child was in high school, the family said. One of Impagliazzo’s joys later in life was attending the sports games of his grandchildren, according to relatives. They buried the passionate sports fan — in a Mets jersey and Giants hat — on May 8 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Babylon. Other survivors include daughter Linda Impagliazzo of Bay Shore, Susan Impagliazzo of Lake Ronkonkoma, Marybeth Impagliazzo of Oakdale; son Peter Impagliazzo of West Islip; and eight grandchildren.
For over 30 years, Silvio has been a mainstay in the West Babylon District’s volunteer ranks. He was one of the founders of the West Babylon Parents’ Sports Association in 1975, and for all but four years he has been the president. Sil organizes seasonal meetings of the parent volunteer members, which often include presentations by the district’s athletic director and coaches who explain their plans and encourage others in the community to be of assistance throughout the season.
Over a decade ago, Sil orchestrated the donation of materials and labor to the district to facilitate the construction of the concession building located at the junior high fields. Before and since that time, Sil and the Parents’ Sports Association members have donated their time during Eagles home athletic competitions and graduations to serve food and drinks to raise money for the scholarship fund.The efforts by this organization have brought revenue that has been used to fund the Annual Parents’ Sports Association Scholarship Fund. Over $120,000 has been awarded to students by the association during Sil’ s tenure. In addition to the scholarship campaign, Silvio schedules celebration dinners for the varsity teams to recognize team championships. He always has a speech ready to go.
Silvio is also the founder and sole director of the Our Lady of Grace intramural basketball program, which grew into the CYO program. Thousands of West Babylon students have participated in it through the years. He organizes the teams, reserves the gym space, develops schedules and works with the coaches. He has done this continuously for the last 51 years. You will also see Sil participate in West Babylon legislative breakfasts for community leaders, trustees, administrators and legislators. He takes an active role in the School Board’s Mission on behalf of the students. This is a man who loves his community.
Silvio has been honored as, “Volunteer of the Year,” by CYO of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as being the recipient of the “Community Services Award,” from Scope Education Services. He is the proud father of six, all of whom live in nearby towns. In his spare time, Silvio is usually found cheering for his four grandchildren on and off the field.