Angelo (Ange) Giajnorio was known for many things in this city -- longtime Niagara Falls Minor Hockey executive member, local sports hall of fame inductee, Canucks volunteer and being a gentleman.

But Angelo's son, Gary Giajnorio, adds one more accomplishment to the list.

"He was like a GPS for arenas. You could ask him where any arena anywhere was and he could tell you," Gary said with obvious affection.

Angelo Giajnorio died Feb. 23 at the age of 76.

A member of the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame as a builder for the local hockey and baseball communities, Gary said that of the two sports, hockey was far and away his favourite.

"He just loved the game, he loved being in arenas."

But despite his love of the game, countless hours spent at local and distant arenas, Angelo himself never played the game.

"No, he never stepped onto the ice to play," said Gary. "He was more than happy to be the convener, he loved that. When it came to the tournaments that he helped organize, he was the first one in and the last one out."

When his four sons wanted to play hockey, he made sure he would be involved. In 1965, he ran and coached the minor hockey league, and in 1974 he was elected as an executive for NFMHA. He held the post of vice-president for 12 years.

Of course, over the years that kind of dedication and community support doesn't go unnoticed. Due to his love of the game and willingness to get involved, the longtime Niagara Parks Commission employee was honoured many times for his community spirit.

He was also the recipient of several distinguished awards, including the George MacPhail Award (2001), the RBC Local Hockey Leader Award (2008) and in 2003 he was honoured by being named to the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame.

While Angelo wasn't involved with the hockey community for the awards or recognition, according to his son the RBC hockey leader award was particularly special to him, because he was nominated for the award by his brother-in-law Doug Caverson.

In 2008, Caverson explained the reason for his nomination to The Review.

"I just can't help but feel that all the time he's put in certainly is worthy of some kind of recognition," he said.

"If someone asked me how they'd get in touch with Angelo, I'd tell them 'If you want to talk to him, go down to the rink. He's always there.'" He was often there to help the Niagara Falls Canucks as well.

Paul Quaranta, Canucks cogeneral manager, said the loss was one that was hard for the Canucks, and for him personally.

"When I was an official for the OHA, every time I would go to the arena, I would see Ange. He was just always there, like Pete Mancuso. They were always there and they were always happy."

"It just saddens me to think that he is no longer here. Too soon, too early. He was a gentleman, and so well respected."

Through Gary's recollections, it's discernible that no one had more respect and admiration for Angelo than his family. When asked for a special hockey memory, Gary recalls a trip his dad made to Sudbury to see him coach a Falls team in a championship game.

Angelo was the convenor for the Thunder's 2004 peewee AAA provincial championship team coached by Gary.

Gary said that his father made plenty of sacrifices for he and his brothers to play hockey, but the hockey moment he holds dearest is the provincial championship he and his father won together.

"For him to come up to Sudbury to see that was pretty special. I guess you could say that the arena was like his second home," Gary said wistfully.

Angelo is survived by his wife of 57 years, Velma (Gallina) Giajnorio, and children Rick (Glenda), Liz Vukmanich, Bobby, Ron (Cathie), Gary and Patty Smith (Domenic) and many grandchildren. -- with Review files