PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Florence DeAngelis has been a loyal, diehard Phillies fan for six decades — which includes ushering in new, younger fans to the red pinstripes, as well as paying tribute to her late husband, Dave, through her creativity and generosity.
The South Jersey native in her early 70s began her fandom in 1964 — a notable year for the Phils' epic collapse that season. A season ticket holder since 1993, DeAngelis has taken many family members to games with her — especially nieces, nephews and now great nieces and nephews.
Her younger brother, Pat Brown, says he and many of their other siblings and relatives love the Phils because of the woman they affectionately call "Aunt Floss."
Her love of the Phils is one to celebrate. She has three distinct rules when going to games with her nieces and nephews.
1. You must be in your seat by the national anthem.
2. You are not allowed to boo the Phillies.
3. You can't buy messy food unless you're old enough to go to the restroom yourself to clean up.
Florence "Aunt Floss" DeAngelis with family members at Citizens Bank ParkFlorence DeAngelis
In 2008, her first year with a full season ticket plan, she went to all five World Series games, including the first two in Tampa.
When she went back to a partial plan last decade, because relatives were getting older and fewer people could go with her, she apologized to the Phillies and made sure to let them know it wasn't because they had a bad season. By the way, a partial ticket package hasn't stopped DeAngelis from buying additional tickets as well — such as Opening Day, her third-favorite holiday of the year.
A couple of years after her beloved, hard-working husband died from kidney disease complications in 2019, DeAngelis won an opportunity through the Phillies Phantastic Auction to design cleats for then-shortstop Didi Gregorius — who has a kidney condition. Gregorius painted the design, which included Dave's name, on his cleats. So, when he hit a home run wearing them, it was a beautiful tribute.
DeAngelis says Dave, who owned an auto repair shop, was a family man who wanted the best for his wife. She says he stayed up until 4 a.m. the night the Phillies won the 2008 World Series to greet her when she arrived home.
The ballpark is DeAngelis' happy place — and for 32 years she has gone there to root on her Phillies, while helping create generations of baseball fans through her nearly 30 nieces and nephews, as well as their children. Oh, and by the way, that includes a pitching prospect for the Yankees High-A affiliate — Brian Hendry — who DeAngelis would love to see pitch at Citizens Bank Park one day.
To hear more about DeAngelis' fandom, take a listen to this week's edition of KYW Newsradio's Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week.
