The Anthony Milano who allegedly stabbed an elderly woman to death in his Atlantic County retirement community is not the same quiet, attractive bachelor who lived and worked in South Philly for most of his life, acquaintances said yesterday.
"I really am shocked," said Anita Ambrogelli, 57, of 8th and Morris streets. "This is a guy I've known since I was a little girl."
Ambrogelli said Milano, 65, who used to live on Broad Street near Dickinson, spent most of his youth working at a luncheonette at 11th and Morris that his mother, "Milly," owned.
That luncheonette, known by locals as "Milano's" was said to have invented the pizza cheesesteak.
"That's where it originated. It was steak with provolone and fried tomato," said Vonda Bucci, whose menu at John's Roast Pork includes a "Steak Milano." "It's a shame. They were a nice family."
Ambrogelli said Milano also worked for the city, ultimately retiring on disability because of a heart condition that plagued him for most of his life.
"He was just the nicest guy," she said. "Everyone around here knew him."
Milano never married, Ambrogelli said, but a breakup with a longtime girlfriend devastated him.
"I don't think he ever got serious with anyone after that," she said.
In 2006, Milano bought a condominium at the Village, in Linwood, a picturesque retirement community at the Shore with shuffleboard courts and a swimming pool. In recent weeks, police and health officials had visited his home several times as an escalating mental problem had caused him to lash out at neighbors.
On Thursday morning, authorities say, Milano fatally stabbed 88-year-old Catherine McGowan, his downstairs neighbor, and wounded her daughter and a Good Samaritan in the process.
Yesterday, Milano appeared via video before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge James E. Isman and was being held on $2 million bail on murder, aggravated assault and weapons charges.
He had been scheduled for a court proceeding Thursday night to face harassment charges that McGowan and others had filed against him.
A man who called the Daily News yesterday but declined to identify himself said Milano never exhibited mental illness in his youth.
"He was quiet if anything, but come on, nothing like this," said the South Philadelphia resident. "He was a good guy."
|
|
|
|
|
|
MOST POPULAR PHILLY.COM PHOTOS
Philly.com news blogs
Philly.com Promotions
