Long-time American Legion baseball coach DiMaria succumbs to cancer at 77

Izzy DiMaria, who managed Las Vegas High’s American Legion baseball team since the early 1980s, died Monday of bone cancer and complications from pneumonia at age 77.

DiMaria, who served on the Nevada Youth Baseball Association Board of Directors until his death, also coached Bishop Gorman’s American Legion players when they teamed with Las Vegas in the early 1980s.

“He was battling for his life every day, but no matter how bad he was hurting, he would never miss a game unless he was deathly ill,” said his son, Gino DiMaria. “That was what he lived for, to coach Legion baseball.”

Tom Appleyard, president of the NYBA, said Izzy DiMaria participated in American Legion baseball specifically to help youth.

“He did for kids what you’re supposed to do; he was all about the kids,” Appleyard said. “He made them his priority. He did whatever he could do to give those guys better chances in life.”

Appleyard, who knew Izzy DiMaria for the past 31 years, described his former friend and colleague as “a firm person.”

“It was a 'this is wrong, this is right’-type of atmosphere,” Appleyard said. “He helped kids who needed somebody like that in their lives.”

He also said Izzy DiMaria was determined to continue coaching even while fighting his illness.

“He gave his time and money to help kids,” Appleyard said. “I don’t think you find a whole lot of people like that.

“I’m really going to miss him. It’s going to be tough to be at the field and not see Izzy.”

Gino DiMaria, the head track and field coach and an assistant football coach at Gorman, said he “learned everything” from his father.

“He passed along that he wanted (players) to be honorable,” Gino DiMaria said. “When you play the game, leave everything on the field. Respect, that was a big thing with him.”

Gino DiMaria said his father, originally from the Detroit area, cooked meals for Gorman’s varsity football team for the past 30 years, and as recently as last season. The elder DiMaria was in attendance for the Gaels’ 62-21 win over Del Sol in the Class 4A state championship game Dec. 5 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“They’re all very emotional right now. They’re devastated,” Gino DiMaria said of Gorman’s players. “They loved my father like he was their own.”

A viewing will be held at Palm Mortuary and Cemetery Green Valley at 7600 South Eastern Ave., from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday. Funeral services are scheduled to begin at St. Viator Catholic Church at 2461 East Flamingo Rd., at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Izzy DiMaria is survived by his son Gino, daughter Gina, four sisters, two brothers and six grandchildren.