A TRIBUTE TO AMEDEO

1936-2021

Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant was built on the virtues of love and family when Amedeo “Dick” DeAngelis and his forever sweetheart, Elizabeth Jane “Betty” DeAngelis opened the doors in 1963— these two virtues surrounded Dick when he peacefully passed on October 20th, 2021.

Whether it was a bus boy or the best-known NC State figure in Raleigh, Dick treated everyone who walked through the front doors of the restaurant with respect. His ability to touch the lives of people, from the Amedeo’s regulars to his grandchildren, was immense. His warm spirit welcomed all people into his life, and his ability to crack a joke with anyone who was willing to listen made people feel connected to him.

The restaurant was a place where people could gather over their love of Italian food, N.C. State football (the team Dick won an ACC championship with in 1957) and good company. Regular fixtures at the restaurant included Jim Valvano, Earle Edwards, Chuck Amato, Bob Guzzo, Sam Esposito, and George Tarantini who’d walk through the front doors hoping for a good bite to eat, but mostly, so they could enjoy the presence of their good friend Dick. Dick was the essence of Amedeo’s, beyond the obvious name—regulars come for the family feel.

Anyone walking through the restaurant can see the strong influence Amedeo had on building the character of the restaurant, which is interwoven through the menu filled with family-recipes and the memorabilia scattered throughout the restaurant.