Soccer enthusiast Sal Rapaglia, who spent a lifetime promoting the game he loved and just last year received the prestigious honor of Life Membership into the U.S. Soccer Federation, has died. Rapaglia, a Sicily native who came to the United States when he was 15-years-old, was 84. Sal is survived by his sons, Sandy and Sal Jr., and several grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ann, in 2016. Sal’s son, Sandy, is a former Moore Catholic soccer star and long-time St. Joseph by-the-Sea boys’ varsity soccer coach. Sal seemed to have his hands in on everything pertaining the game and was still very much active in recent years.