ROCKFORD — Anthony “Tony” Angileri was a bar owner, a black belt in karate, a karaoke singer and a drummer.
His best attribute, however, may have been his ability to sit and listen and go out of his way for others, making many friends in the process.
Those friends took to social media in recent days to express their sorrow and shock over his sudden death.
The 42-year-old co-owner of the Victory Tap, a bar and restaurant at 2315 Harrison Ave., was fatally shot late Saturday night at his Lapey Street home.
Witnesses told police an adult male shot into the home and fled on foot. No arrest has been made.
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Jeremy Van Barriger of Rockford called Angileri his best friend.
“I really miss him,” Van Barriger said.
“Tony was always there for people. He had a big heart. He was always helping somebody out in need.”
Van Barriger said he and Angileri fished, attended concerts and sparred together
“(Tony) was a black belt in Shotokan karate,” a weaponless martial art.
“He took it for many years in Rockford. Martial arts was always dear to him from age 9 until the day he died,” Van Barriger said. “It instilled in him a lot of honor, respect and morals that he had.
“When we got older, we went all over the place and trained. We would actually spar a lot right in his backyard with gloves.”
Van Barriger also said Angileri was personable. He felt at home at the Victory Tap and made sure others felt the same.
“Whenever somebody sat down he would say, ‘Hey. My name is Tony. How’s it going? Is the food okay?’ If there was a mistake, he would fix it. He was real friendly. He made sure that people felt welcome.”
Mike Gulley of Rockford is a member of the Acoustic Millennium Band, a three-time Rockford Area Music Industry award-winning band that performed every other Friday at Victory Tap.
He said Angileri did more than just manage Victory Tap.
“He was always there to listen to your problems and try to help you out with whatever you were going through,” Gulley said.
“He was the guy who answered his phone regardless what time it was. And just one of the best human beings I’ve ever known.”
Gulley said Angileri was pretty good at holding a beat, too.
“He played the drums and would sit in once in a while with us.”
Another friend, Bill Cook, said Angileri grew up with his uncle and other family members and said he got to know him well about two years ago.
“One day I decided to stop by his bar. I met him, and he made me a really great burger. We had some drinks and started doing karaoke together. Ever since then, I would go down every Wednesday just to sing some songs, and we ended up doing this every week for a year or so.”
Cook said the two of them always sang “Kickapoo” by Tenacious D.
“He did all the Jack Black parts, I did the parts for Meatloaf and Dio.”
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Gulley said the bar was a reflection of Angileri’s personality.
“It was always a fun place. Great service, excellent food. Never any scuffles or fights or anything.
“This is absolutely tragic.”
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900 or leave an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.
Chris Green: [email protected]; @chrisfgreen
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