by Paola Boivin

The barbs are flowing as freely as the grappa. Jerry Colangelo is surrounded by 13 of his closest friends, many from the Hungry Hill neighborhood of his youth. "You're a funny guy, Jerry," someone shouts. "You mean 'odd'?" Joe Piunti says. "Did I ever expect Jerry to become this big? Hell no," offers Kelo Panici.

The group cracks up. They adore Colangelo, but also take pride in knowing they are the force that helps keep him grounded. Anything you need to know about the Phoenix sports icon can be found on this day in Tinley Park, in the back room of Gatto's Italian Restaurant and Bar, which features this inscription on the wall over where Colangelo sits: "Celebri la famiglia, celebri gli amici, celebri la vita!"

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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/