I am deeply saddened to announce that wrestling legend and former President of the British Wrestlers Reunion Joe D'Orazio passed away peacefully in his sleep today (9th March) aged 99 years.
Joe was the last of the great legends of wrestling and was ever present through its golden years. Joe was very instrumental in the careers of many wrestlers and was one of the great referees ever to step into the ring once his own wrestling career had ended.
Until January Joe was the one and only President of The British Wrestlers Reunion and it was his final wish that the Reunion in its known form end when it left The Bridges earlier this year when Joe decided to retire from his role.
Our condolences go to Joes family and friends at this very sad time and may he now RIP.
Joe D'orazio Poet. Here's a bit of Joe i forgot i had from the TVTimes dated September 25th 1971. Joe appears on the ITV arts show "Aquarius" which was fore runner to The South Bank show:
Joe D'Orazio's service will take place on Monday 11th April at 10-30am at St Albans Catholic Church, 51 Nether Street, London N12 7NN followed at 1-30pm at Grove Park Cemetery, Marvels Lane London SE12 9PU. Donations can be made to Dementia UK.
😎
R IP Joe god bless total pro and genuine
Matey Dave has written:
When watching Giusseppe Augusto Antonio Loreto Mario Scala as a referee he came across as a class act with quiet dignity, up there with Tiny Carr & Lou Marco. Knew what he was doing and more then capable of making it look real. More importantly dressed for the occassion as M.C. or ref. unlike our Brian who was not fit for the job.
How did the Crabtrees treat him when they took over as he made our Brian look like a right pillock?
An amazing age but still sad to hear of Joe passing.
Sad news indeed, another one of wrestling’s great legends has had his last round at the grand old age of 99.
R.I.P. Joe
So sad, but Joe has left a huge mark on British wrestling, he has left us all with a lot of good memories, R.I.P. Joe.
Very sad news, but an amazing life. A true legend. RIP Joe.
That's a great age to achieve.
I saw him countless times, so very sad to see him pass.
I always suspected he was very wary of me. Perceived me as a mark. Thought I knew too much about wrestling's brittle reality.
As a ref, he was a contemporary of Max Ward. Very different style. His eyes were always on the audience, reactions, safety.
Albeit long, it was a very in-out career.
And we probably don't really know his whole story.
Very sad news indeed.
Another link has been broken.
Joe was a gentleman who always had time to chat.
https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/joe-d-orazio
Incredibly sad news, 99 is a "great innings" as they say, but sad none the less.
Must be the first Professional Wrestler to make it to his one hundreth year
A legend who's book the Who's Who of Wrestling was a must have. I believe Joe wrestled in the 1940's and along with Bert Royal were the only two wrestlers left who had . I am so close but have never found a 1940's bill with Joe on.
RIP a great man who put his all into the business.