Albert Bevilacqua Jr. Shared The Unbreakable Bond With His Wife, Catherine Helen, The True Head Coach Of Their Legacy
Catherine Helen Bevilacqua was a woman of quiet strength, boundless love, and unshakable faith.
August 13, 2026
This article was last updated by Rohit Maharjan on August 13, 2026
Albert Bevilacqua Jr., a USA Wrestling Leader, passed away on Sunday, August 10. His life was entirely dedicated to family, faith, and the sport of wrestling.
His wife of 61 years, Catherine Helen Bevilacqua, and brother, Ralph, preceded him in death.
Back in 2011, Al Bevilacqua and I co-hosted the Living The Dream Medal Fund Telethon in Colorado Springs. In memory of Al, here are some highlights from that night and some words from the late Al Bevilacqua, a tireless worker for the sport.
— Jason Bryant (@jasonmbryant)
Albert “Al” Bevilacqua Jr. was more than just a wrestling coach. He was a visionary who transformed the sport and used it as a platform to shape young lives.
He attended New York University (NYU) on a wrestling scholarship, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. His dedication to wrestling only grew from there, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
His impact on amateur wrestling was unparalleled. Alongside his oldest son, Chris, he made history as the first father-son duo inducted simultaneously into the United States Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Moreover, his coaching skills produced six Olympic champions, and his expertise took him around the world, where he connected with wrestling’s greatest minds.
One of his most significant contributions was his role in a landmark Supreme Court ruling that allowed wrestling to break away from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), leading to the formation of USA Wrestling.
Albert Bevilacqua Jr.’s Wife Was The Head Coach of the Family
Catherine Helen Bevilacqua was more than just the wife of renowned sportsman Albert Bevilacqua Jr. She was a devoted mother, a champion athlete, and the steadfast foundation of a remarkable family.
She was the daughter of Bernard and Helen McLauglin, born on October 9, 1939, in Queens, New York.
Catherine Helen passed away at the age of 83. (Source: )Catherine grew up with a strong sense of faith and discipline, attending Sacred Heart Catholic Academy before excelling at New York University (NYU).
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1962 while being an elite NCAA swimmer and AAU champion. It was also at NYU that she met her future husband, Albert.
Catherine and Albert married in 1962 and built a life centered on family, faith, and hard work. They raised six children in Massapequa, Long Island, providing them with a loving, Mayberry-like upbringing.
Catherine was the heart of the home, instilling in her children the values of confidence, gratitude, and perseverance. Five of their six children went on to own their businesses, while their daughter Nora earned the doctoral degree Albert had once pursued.
Their legacy extends to 18 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters.
Furthermore, Albert often credited Catherine as the true “Head Coach” of their family, joking that he was merely the assistant. Her unwavering support allowed him to chase his dreams across the globe.
Beyond her devotion to family, Catherine was known for her generosity. She had a lifelong love for animals, caring for dozens of pets over the years. Her kindness and moral compass left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
Catherine passed away on September 27, 2026, at the age of 83, but her legacy lived on through her husband, children, and the countless lives she touched.
Albert Bevilacqua Jr.’s Family Mourns The Tragic Loss
Albert “Al” Bevilacqua Jr., a beloved coach, educator, and entrepreneur whose passion for wrestling transformed countless lives, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations.
His impact reached far beyond the ring, shaping the sport he loved and the young athletes who looked up to him.
With great sadness, we share that co-founder Al Bevilacqua has passed away.
His energy and passion for was unmatched, and we are forever grateful for his dedication and support of BTS and the sport of wrestling.
— Beat the Streets Wrestling (@BeattheStreets)
Al balanced his roles as an educator with his entrepreneurial ventures, most of which centered around wrestling.
His proudest professional achievement was the creation of Beat the Streets Wrestling, a groundbreaking program that brought the sport to inner-city youth across the United States.
His dream of seeing wrestling gain broader recognition finally came to fruition when his son, Chris, launched College Sports Television (CSTV) in the early 2000s.
Chris brought Olympic sports like wrestling and volleyball into living rooms across America.
Al’s teachings instilled values of perseverance, hard work, and compassion, shaping athletes and leaders. His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, and the countless students, athletes, and coaches he inspired.
The Bevilacqua family invites friends, colleagues, and all whose lives were touched by Al to join them in honoring his memory.
Al’s viewing is at the Massapequa Funeral Home located at 4980 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY, on Wednesday, August 13, at 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM.
A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church located at 2 Bayview Avenue, Massapequa, NY on Thursday, August 14th at 10 AM. Afterwards, he’ll be buried at the Amityville Cemetery located at 56 Harrison Avenue, Amityville, New York.
Moreover, a larger “Celebration of Life” ceremony is being planned with the support of USA Wrestling in a special tribute to Big Al for later this Fall in the NYC area.
The family requests donations in Al’s memory to one of the following organizations close to his heart: , , or Friends of Massapequa Wrestling, C/O Vito Mundo, 16 Elm Street, Massapequa, N.Y. 11758.
Rest in peace, Coach. Your legacy lives on.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Albert Bevilacqua Jr., aka Big Al, Mr. Bev, and Coach Bev, was a high school teacher of Health and Physical Education and Driver’s Education.
- His proudest professional achievement was creating Beat The Streets Wrestling.
- He never shied away from mentoring any kid, and his whole philosophy was “never give up on a kid.”
- Check other Articles on
Ashish Maharjan, author at Players Bio, has been covering news with a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling. A writer with a passion for capturing the essence of athletic competition.
Related articles
May 6, 2026
May 5, 2026
May 5, 2026
May 4, 2026
Comments
LEAVE A REPLY
Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Share article
- May 6, 2026 A student-athlete at Edinburg High School, Sebastian Garcia, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Sebastian was a member of the Edinburgh Runnin' Bobcats...
- May 6, 2026 A former baseball coach with deep ties to the Geauga County sports community has been arrested and charged with the rape of a child,...
- May 5, 2026 Dr. Jack Walker Moore, who practiced medicine at SportsMED and served as the team doctor for Madison Academy, passed away on Friday. Moore was...
- May 5, 2026 A mother of a child with autism and ADHD is speaking out after her son was bullied in a school bathroom, fought back in...
- May 4, 2026 Every parent has been there. You hear the front door open, say a simple "hello," and get an eye roll or a grunt in...
