Latest news with #Bevilacqua
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized by ‘Seinfeld' dies at 85
The legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized in an iconic 'Seinfeld' scene has died — and everyone from celebrity former students to athletes recalled Tuesday how he went to the mat for them. 'They're telling me I only have 2 to 2 to 3 minutes to give a eulogy,' said Christopher Bevilacqua, the son of beloved late 85-year-old coach and mentor Al Bevilacqua, to The Post. 'I don't know how you can describe his life in 2 or 3 minutes.' Advertisement 6 Al Bevilacqua, the legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized in an iconic 'Seinfeld' scene, has died. Courtesy Billy Baldwin Al Bevilacqua, who passed away Sunday, got his 15 minutes of TV fame when superstar funnyman Jerry Seinfeld famously name-dropped his former teacher in an episode of his wildly popular series — even though Al never really watched the 'show about nothing,' his family said. 'He would go, 'Seinfeld?' What is that? A comedy?' ' said the former coach's son Michael. Advertisement But Al didn't need the extra spotlight. He was a coach overseeing the mats at the town's high school for nearly 15 years since the early 1960s and later at nearby Hofstra University in the late 1970s. The Massapequa man was also a 2012 inductee to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, garnering its highest honor, the Order of Merit. And all of his sports accomplishments were just part of the story. Advertisement 'Wrestling was really his vessel for who he was as a person,' Christopher said. 6 Bevilacqua was 85 at the time of his passing. 'He thought of himself first as an educator who was teaching kids and youth on the subject of life. … He had humanity about him, and his soul was all about, 'How do I create better people?' ' Al, who brought the Massapequa Chiefs their first-ever county title in the 1970s, left a lasting impact on some of the school's most notable alumni. Hollywood in Massapequa Advertisement He taught driver's ed to Seinfeld, according to family. Seinfeld name-dropped his former teacher in a 1994 episode of his show called 'The Race,'' as Jerry's character readied to re-do a controversial high-school run in which he, admittedly, got a head start. 'Mr. Bevilacqua' was called in to officiate a rematch of the race. 6 Bevilacqua, who was name-dropped in the 1994 'Seinfeld' episode 'The Race,' had tributes poured in from celebrity former students to athletes. NBC Al's son Michael recalled, 'I was a contractor one time, I was in my bed with plans open, and 'Seinfeld' on in the back, and I go, 'Did they just say Bevilacqua?' 'Then, my phone just started ringing.' Al Bevilacqua thought of Jerry as 'a nice kid,' Michael said. Then there was Al's former wrestler the 'Born on the Fourth of July' author Ron Kovic. Advertisement 'He taught about never quitting. … He was the best motivator,' said Kovic, who wrestled for Bevilacqua before becoming paralyzed in the Vietnam War and becoming the subject of the Academy Award-winning movie by the same name. After Kovic tragically lost use of his legs, he crossed paths with his former coach on Hofstra's campus, where Al Bevilacqua once again did what he was belovedly known for. 'It was quite emotional. He kept saying encouraging things to me that day, he showed it on his face that he was really sad that one of his boys had been hurt,' recalled Kovic, who wrote about Bevilacqua in his book. Advertisement 'I'm still here because he taught me to never give up, and I think that was instilled in me and instilled in all the boys he coached…I'm sure when he did pass away, he was fighting until the end.' 6 Ron Kovic, who was Al's former wrestler at Massapequa High School, said, 'He was the best motivator,' and that quitting wasn't an option, as the two later crossed paths in life after Kovic lost the use of his legs. Facebook/Park Avenue Grill When the film's director Oliver Stone and star Tom Cruise came to the Bevilacqua home to do research for their film adaptation of 'Born on the Fourth of July,' Al wasn't afraid to go a few weight classes above his belt, either. 'My dad goes to Stone, 'Let me ask you a question: 'Why do you hate this country so much?' ' Christopher said of the controversial director, adding that Bevilacqua rejected the idea of being portrayed in the film as a violent-minded coach. Advertisement 'He's going to tell you what he thinks of what he believes — and I thought that was a pretty powerful testimony,' the son said of his dad. Al Bevilacqua also left a deeply resounding impression on actor and former wrestler Billy Baldwin, who described the coach as 'definitely a second father to me.' 6 Kovic says his wrestling coach's words were inspirational and a reason why he is still here. Courtesy of Nora Bevilacqua The Baldwin brothers, including actor Alec, were dear family friends who lived near the Bevilacquas, and their dad, Al Baldwin, worked with Bevilacqua at Massapequa High. Advertisement Billy Baldwin described Al as 'the one' great inspiration outside of his own family who steered him through the world. 'We would have conversations that would lead to philosophical exchanges … and that would help to guide me,' Baldwin said of the devout Yankee fan who forgave him and Christopher for accidentally buying nearly $100 in scalped tickets for a game from the night before when they were little. 'He was the one for me, and he was the one for thousands of others.' 6 Bevilacqua also left a lasting impact on the Baldwin family, as Billy Baldwin called him 'the one' great inspiration outside of his own family. Courtesy of Nora Bevilacqua Going to the mat Fame meant nothing to get into Al Bevilacqua's good graces. After the tragic loss of his father, Al brought Jim O'Rourke, Massapequa class of 1977, under his wing during his school days on the mats. 'He was an amazing character,' O'Rourke recalled. 'He has the most fantastic legacy.' Al's daughter, Nora, said her dad's crowning achievement was launching Beat The Streets Wrestling, a program that brought the sport into the inner city and revolutionized their programs with resources and coaching. 'It shows you the power of one person and then ultimately one person doing what they believe in can achieve great things,' she said. 'I think my father passed that on to each of us.'
The Age
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Petals of love: Three million blooms for mums this Mother's Day
Hermina Bevilacqua has handwritten countless Mother's Day messages on behalf of customers during her decades as a florist. 'When I'm reading all the messages, I feel privileged,' said Bevilacqua. So, what do they say? ''You're truly amazing. Thank you for everything you do for our family'.' Australians are predicted to spend about $1 billion on Mother's Day presents this year, with flowers far and away the top pick. Wholesale flower traders at the National Flower Centre expect to sell more than 3 million flowers, predominantly chrysanthemums, roses, tulips and oriental lilies. Mother's Day is like Christmas for the flower industry. 'There's certainly a lot more work at this time of the year because demand is tenfold,' said Michael van der Zwet, who grows hydrangeas and anthuriums with his family in Phillip Island. Preparations start early, with growers starting to plant bulbs for the big day from January. Anna Jabour, chief executive of Flower Industry Australia, says locally grown flowers have been harvested in the past week and sent off to wholesalers in time for florists to work their magic.
Sydney Morning Herald
10-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Petals of love: Three million blooms for mums this Mother's Day
Hermina Bevilacqua has handwritten countless Mother's Day messages on behalf of customers during her decades as a florist. 'When I'm reading all the messages, I feel privileged,' said Bevilacqua. So, what do they say? ''You're truly amazing. Thank you for everything you do for our family'.' Australians are predicted to spend about $1 billion on Mother's Day presents this year, with flowers far and away the top pick. Wholesale flower traders at the National Flower Centre expect to sell more than 3 million flowers, predominantly chrysanthemums, roses, tulips and oriental lilies. Mother's Day is like Christmas for the flower industry. 'There's certainly a lot more work at this time of the year because demand is tenfold,' said Michael van der Zwet, who grows hydrangeas and anthuriums with his family in Phillip Island. Preparations start early, with growers starting to plant bulbs for the big day from January. Anna Jabour, chief executive of Flower Industry Australia, says locally grown flowers have been harvested in the past week and sent off to wholesalers in time for florists to work their magic.
Business Journals
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Bevilacqua Development sues Amherst over dispute over drive-thru restaurant zoning
By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . Join the Buffalo Business First to unlock even more insights! Bevilacqua Development has sued the Town of Amherst in a dispute over whether the developer can build a drive-thru coffee shop on a parcel in Getzville. Story Highlights Bevilacqua Development wants to build a quick-service coffee shop at the former Nina's Custard in Getzville. The town's Neighborhood Business District typically does not allow drive-thru windows. The town told Bevilacqua that the project would require a harder-to-get use variance instead of a typical area variance. Bevilacqua Development has sued the Town of Amherst in a zoning dispute over whether the developer can build a drive-thru coffee shop on a parcel in Getzville. Bevilacqua plans to buy 2577 Millersport Highway, formerly home to Nina's Custard, pending town approval of its plans to build a drive-thru restaurant on the site. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Nina's announced its closure in December after 35 years in business. The owners told Business First at the time that a sale of the building was pending to an unnamed developer. Bevilacqua in December applied for two area variances that would allow a drive-thru window on the site, which is typically not allowed in the town's Neighborhood Business District. The applications say the drive-thru would be for a "quick-service coffee restaurant," but it does not mention a specific occupant. The Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing in January where two residents who live near the site opposed the project, according to the minutes from the meeting. The board did not make a decision right away, and Bevilacqua tweaked some aspects of the site plan in response to feedback, such as moving the drive-thru speaker so it would be about 46 feet away from the property line, instead of the originally proposed 20 feet, according to the petition filed by the developer in Erie County Supreme Court. The town code requires speakers to be at least 100 feet away from the nearest residence. In March, the town informed the developer that the project would require a use variance instead of a typical area variance, according to the petition. A use variance is significantly more difficult to obtain, requiring the applicant to meet numerous strict criteria before one is granted. In its petition, Bevilacqua argues that the board was "arbitrary and capricious" in its decision making. It is asking the court to overturn the decision. A representative for the developer declined to comment. Town attorney Steven Bengart said the lawsuit is in its early stages. "We are aware that there is a lawsuit and we are reviewing the record and determining our next steps," he said.
