Terry Ranieri’s legacy lives on through Special Olympics fundraiser

Linda DeFloria and Daniel Ranieri carry out their late brother Terry Ranieri’s legacy every year with an annual memorial golf outing.

“Terry was very special to our family,” DeFloria said. “He was special to everyone who ever met him.”

Terry Ranieri, a 1975 Hempfield Area High School graduate, died from cancer in August 2019. He was well-known at high school football games, a frequent visitor at Westmoreland Mall and participating in bowling with the Westmoreland County Special Olympics.

Each year, all the proceeds from the golf outing are donated to the county’s Special Olympics organization. Through fundraising and contributions from Old Joe’s Club, Ranieri’s family has raised more than $30,000.

“The Special Olympics had been very important to Terry,” DeFloria said. “We just feel it’s an excellent organization, and we’re glad to help keep Terry’s memory alive.”

This week, a group of Special Olympics athletes and coaches gathered at Lynch Field in Greensburg to receive the $3,350 raised at this year’s golf outing.

“I just feel very excited that they do this in (Terry’s) honor, and it supports our program,” said Anthony Monstola, co-manager of Westmoreland County Special Olympics.

The annual donation helps the organization cover the expenses of uniforms, equipment and transportation to tournaments.

As a coach, Monstrola tries to carry out Terry Ranieri’s legacy by teaching the athletes to compete like him: with good sportsmanship, win or lose.

“That’s how the Special Olympics should be,” Monstrola said.

Nick Sciullo, a Special Olympics athlete who plays basketball, was happy to hear Terry Ranieri’s family was giving back to the organization.

“It’s nice to have the community help with the Special Olympics,” Sciullo said.

Mike Grubisa, a coach for Westmoreland County Special Olympics said that the donations help the team take the necessary steps to help the athletes reach their full potential.

“We are so grateful of them sponsoring us,” he said.

This year, the golf outing was held on June 20 at Manor Valley Golf Club in Penn Township. Terry’s brother and sister said that every year people come from all over to support the family at the golf outing, sharing stories of what Terry was like and how kind he was to others.

“If anybody ever met Terry, they were a better person for it because he was so kind and friendly and happy,” DeFloria said. “Who doesn’t want to be around a person like that.”