Angelo Nicelli

In his youth, his passion for dance led him to work with ballet companies in Europe and he appeared in Broadway musicals (including “Carousel” and “Polonaise”) and television shows under the stage name “Tange," because he loved tangerines.

He was a teenager when he met the love of his life, Emilia “Millie" Avolio. They married in 1952 and eventually moved to Chicago, where they raised two daughters, Lisa and Maria.

In Chicago, Angelo turned to another passion — food — and opened Cafe Angelo in the Loop. The upscale Italian restaurant won numerous awards over its 26-year run and was frequented by celebrities and politicians, from Frank Sinatra to Mayor Daley. He introduced dozens of northern Italian dishes to the Chicago area, and his menu always featured family recipes and fresh herbs and vegetables that he grew himself.

In his later years, he busied himself with other passions such as gardening, poker, and fixing things at his daughters’ homes that didn’t need to be fixed.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Emilia Nicelli; daughters Lisa Brandmeier and Maria Baron; son-in-laws Jonathon Brandmeier and Mike Baron; grandchildren Jennifer Brandmeier, Christina Brandmeier, Nico Baron, and Francesca Baron; and great-grandchild Isla Baron.