Father of Rostraver recreation, John DiVirgilio, dies at 93

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Residents of Rostraver Township and throughout the Valley are mourning Thursday after it was announced that “Johnny D” has died.

John DiVirgilio was a mainstay for the Rostraver Township recreation authority, serving as the treasurer until he passed away.

Chairman of the Rostraver Township Board of Commissioners, John Lorenzo, said this is a hit the township will feel for a long time.

“He’s the founding father of Rostraver Township recreation,” Lorenzo said. “He bled green and white, which are the township colors. He did everything for the kids in the township. If they needed a glove, a ball, or they couldn’t afford jerseys, the man would go into his own pockets to make sure all of the kids had everything they needed to play.”

“It always made me happy to see kids enjoying sports,” said DiVirgilio in 2018 when he was inducted into the Belle Vernon Area Football Hall of Fame. “My wife never cared about the time or money as long as it was for the kids.”

DiVirgilio began coaching Little League in the township in 1950. He had the privilege and honor of serving as an umpire in the Little League World Series in Williamsport.

He began serving on the recreation board in 1967 and continued serving until the day he died, Lorenzo said. 

“He was a big part in forming and putting together the sports complex, which now carries his name,” Lorenzo said. “His legacy will live on for generations.

“He was one of the greatest men this township has ever seen, he was seriously one of the nicest men you’d ever meet and always had a smile on his face. He loved to see kids out there on the ballfields.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Thursday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.