Community, Saloon Mourn Long-time Roxborough Resident

The Roxborough community mourned this week the loss of one of its own, as Walter F. Angstadt, 88, died Jan. 30. 

A long-time resident with his wife, children, and grandchildren, Angstadt was a regular staple at the , 577 Jamestown St.

Owner Dave Falcione loosely was friendly with Angstadt for a long time. After he opened the bar, he said they became very close.

"He was a great, great war hero and an idol you can look up to," he said. "A super friendly, family guy."

Angstadt raised four children with his late wife, Mary.

After Angstadt's son told Falcione of Angstadt's death Monday, he posted a memorial on the bar's Facebook page, which people began commenting on.

Peggy Mucha knew Angstadt for the past 20 years and always exchanged Christmas cards with him—until last year, she said, when Angstadt forgot to send them out. 

"He felt so bad about it, but I sent him one still. I guess I won't get any more cards," she said.

Many shared memories of Angstadt with kids and the candy he gave out.

"He was such a great guy. He always got a lot of hugs," Mucha said.

On Facebook, Dan Hoban said, "I remember Walt and his late wife down at the corner of Silverwood and Hermitage Streets. He was the best and certainly part of my childhood growing up. Seeing him at the bar certainly took me back to my childhood."

Others, like Brian Conroy, posted about Angstadt's service, “RIP Walter. The world lost another amazing member of the 'Greatest Generation.'"

Mike Rodden grew up in Roxborough and worked at the Henry James in college. Now a patron, Rodden said to Patch he remembered Angstadt fondly.

"Walter was a great man, very kind, very generous," Rodden said.

Angstadt is survived by his four children—Marylou Finch, Diann Coady, Elizabeth Nichols, and Thomas Angstadt—10 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, according to his obituary.

, 6835 Ridge Ave., will host a viewing Thursday (7 to 9 p.m.) and Friday (9 a.m.). A funeral mass will occur Friday at 10 a.m. at the  in Andorra. Interment is at Westminster Cemetery, 701 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd.

People may sign a guestbook for Angstadt on Legacy.com.

Disclosure: Mike Rodden and Sam Scavuzzo attended college together and are friends.