A HOLYWELL primary school have paid tribute to a former school governor by hosting a football tournament in his name.

St Winefride’s Catholic Primary School hosted five other schools from Flintshire for a tournament at Holywell Town Football Club in memory of Angelo Feliciello - the school’s chair of governors who passed away on January 7.

Angelo, 59, leaves behind his wife Catherine; his three daughters, Francesca, Lucy and Gabriella; his granddaughter Scarlett; siblings Chris, Johnny and Lena as well as wider family and friends.

Before the matches kicked off, pupils from St Mary’s, Flint, St Anthony’s, Saltney, Ysgol Maesglas, Ysgol Bro Carmel and Ysgol Glan Aber joined St Winefride’s for a release of red, white and green balloons - representing Mr Feliciello’s Italian heritage and the Welsh community he loved.

The Leader:

Children released red, white and green balloons symbolising Angelo's Italian heritage at Holywell Town FC

The first of these balloons were released by Angelo’s granddaughter, and St Winefride’s pupil, Scarlett.

Paul Williams, schoolteacher and event organiser, said: “Angelo was a chair of governors at St Winefride’s for several years and was always very passionate about making sure that the school and the children were doing their very best. He was a one of a kind person and we are all very happy to have such fond memories with him through his involvement with the school.

“The balloon release was organised as it only felt right to pay tribute to the man who spent so much time with us. We incorporated the football tournament, as this was another big passion of Angelo’s, who was an avid Manchester United supporter through the good and bad times.

“We invited some of the neighbouring schools to Holywell, where Angelo lived, as well as other Catholic schools in Flintshire as faith was another big part of Angelo’s life.”

The Leader:

Paul Williams, of St Winefride's Catholic Primary School, who organised the tournament in memory of Angelo (pictured right with his wife Catherine)

Mr Williams told the Leader that Angelo was not only an influential figure in the school - but in the wider community of Holywell through the Catholic parish and the local Rotary Club.

He added that organising the Angelo Feliciello Football Tournament was one of his proudest moments whilst working at St Winefride’s.

Deputy headteacher, Lauren Owen, praised Mr Williams for organising the fitting tribute to the man she said would ‘always have our back’.

She said: “Angelo was the strong figure that helped to lead and support St Winefride’s for many years. His loss is just massive to the whole of Holywell as he was such a well-respected person in the community.

“He would ring us daily to check on how things were at the school and he also wanted to know that the children in this school were not only receiving the best education but were being looked after to the best of our capacity.”

The school thanked all those who were involved in the event - including Pangborn, Caroline Tapley, Leo and Nicki Schwartz, Us Coaches, Queensferry Sports as well as the children and staff of St Winefride’s and Angelo’s family.