The life of an Italian-American, avid bocce player and Crafton citizen was celebrated Saturday in Crafton Park.
Several members of Amendola’s family, local leaders and the community at large come out for a kick off to summer celebration and to celebrate Felix Amendola Bocce Court, which originally was dedicated to Amendola following his death in 2001.
“Today we rededicate the Felix Amendola Bocce Court to a man who demonstrated the best of Crafton,” borough council President John Oliverio said. “Felix was respected as a community neighbor and friend. His story is one of hard work, dedication and gratitude, values that continue to inspire us today. Felix loved bocce as much as he loved this community.”
Amendola, born in Nicastro, Italy, in 1920, died in May of 2001. He was a 40-year shoemaker in the area, running Felix Shoe Repair Shop on Station Street for 16 years, taught aikido and also loved bocce.
According to an article from The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Amendola lobbied Crafton council members at the time to help him set up a bocce court in Crafton Park. Once the court was built, he would drive every day to the court to play, would recline in a chair he brought and waited for a game to start.
Amendola’s friends would come every week to play with him, and they would argue in Italian, according to Amendola’s family. He always kept the court free from debris and maintained the court to keep it in pristine condition, according to Oliverio, and the court was a place to build friendships.
At 25 years old, the park’s bocce court needed revitalization, and when Crafton residents wanted to bring the court back to life in 2023, they reached out to the family. The family took over revitalizing the court, which fell into disrepair.
Amendola’s family decided to refinish the court, and his daughter, Susan Amendola Betters, led the charge to ensure her father’s legacy could continue for future generations.
“We found his bocce balls, his score keeper and his tape measure 25 years later,” Betters said. “It was so nice for (the borough) to allow us to do this. His spirit will be here forever.”
Betters said it was a major plus having his grandchildren on hand and having them understand what their grandfather gave the community years ago.
“It’s great to see everyone,”’ Betters said.
Betters said the revitalization project turned out great and that her father is smiling down from heaven. Oliverio praised the Amendola family for its efforts.
“Your commitment to honoring Felix has given this community a wonderful gift,” Oliverio said. “This court stands as a reminder that communities are stronger when people care enough about what really matters. May it be filled with friendship, laughter, competition and community spirit for many years to come.”
Mike Tedesco, Crafton’s Community and Economic Development director, said the family came to the borough with the idea of refurbishing the court, and for about $100,000, the court was officially finished last fall.
The borough wanted to throw a party, according to Tedesco, and the family agreed. The court was redone with new concrete, a plaque and new gravel.
“I’m thrilled for the family, and for the bocce court to bring it back to life,” State Sen. Wayne Fontana said. “I think the family and the community of Crafton honestly stepped up to carry out the legacy of enjoying this bocce here in Crafton that was introduced here by Felix.
“Crafton Park is a very important neighborhood asset. It is important in all levels of government that they reinvest in these important community assets, and ensure these spaces remain accessible for everyone.”
During the event, Mayor Colette Perry read a proclamation for the bocce court, stating that the court has lasting connections, shows an impact of one resident and stated that May 30, 2026, was declared Felix Amendola Day for Crafton in honor of his “remarkable life.”
The court also provides an opportunity to honor Amendola’s memory and celebrate the values of service, dedication and community, according to the proclamation.
Also during the ceremony, doves were flown in Amendola’s memory, which was a surprise for the family, and Amendola’s great grandson Felix Mecca threw the first ball for the first game of bocce to start on the new court.
The Amendola Family said they greatly appreciate the cooperation of the borough of Crafton, and that it was a great way to kick off summer.
“It is so amazing after all these years, because my father passed away in 2001, which is why they dedicated it to him then, that after all these years, all these people still came out,” Amendola’s daughter Nina Amendola Arnold said.
Amendola’s grandson Matthew Kramer thanked the borough for their help revitalizing the court, words and the care they had revitalized the court. He said his grandfather was very proud of being Italian, carried his heritage and was proud of his neighborhood and his community.
Kramer added that the court rededication is not only about honoring his name on a plaque, but about his spirit continuing at the location, and that a piece of Amendola is still alive.
“Seeing this court restored, rededicated and filled with people again means more to our family that I can really bring into words,” Kramer said.
“Crafton was not just where he lived. It was part of who he was, and this court was one of those places where those parts of him came together — his love bocce, his love of family, his love of friends and his love of community.”
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