In celebration of Italian American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Buffalo restaurateur and professional wrestler, Ilio DiPaolo.
Ilio DiPaolo was born in Introdacqua, Italy, in 1926. At 23 years old and in the wake of World War II, DiPaolo initially set off for Venezuela in search of new beginnings. There, he unexpectedly met famed professional wrestling promoter Toots Mondt, who took him under his wing and eventually put him on track to wrestle in the United States. DiPaolo first developed his in-ring skills, with stints in the Dominican Republic and Cuba, before finally making it stateside in 1951.
Once in the U.S., Ilio settled in Buffalo and began wrestling out of Toronto, Canada, earning himself a reputation as one of the best in his trade. He and Canadian partner “Whipper” Billy Watson won the NWA Canadian Tag Team title in 1955, and DiPaolo found himself wrestling in several other championships during his career.
Internationally, he found recognition from fans in Japan, Australia, and Haiti, but in Buffalo, he is remembered for the successful restaurant venture that bears his name. In 1965, DiPaolo retired from professional wrestling to focus on his family and follow his longtime dream of restaurant ownership. He used his life savings to open a pizzeria, which burned down after just a few months. Though devastated, DiPaolo soon found help from one of his fans, who offered to build him a new restaurant.
Shortly after the act of kindness, he opened his second restaurant, the eponymous “Ilio DiPaolo’s” in Blasdell, New York. The new establishment offered classic Italian cuisine and a family atmosphere, soon becoming a hotspot for famed Buffalo Bills athletes, wrestlers, and the local community.
Tragically, in 1995, DiPaolo was involved in a fatal car accident, inspiring fans past and present to rally around his family and business. The robust response raised over $1 million for the Ilio DiPaolo scholarship fund.
Beyond his veneration as a great athlete and wrestler, Ilio DiPaolo dedicated himself to serving the Buffalo community with the delicious flavors of his home country for as long as he could. Today, the DiPaolo family carries on the legacy of the namesake restaurant, sponsoring various local organizations and charities in his honor.
Others we are celebrating in honor of Italian American Heritage Month:
Rita Levi-Montalcini, Nobel Prize-winning neurobiologist
