Andy Badalamenti Tries Out the 120-year old chair at the Coney Island History Project, August 29, 2008. Photo © Tricia Vita
Coney Island lost a good friend on Monday. Andy Badalamenti, who operated such legendary rides as the Tornado and the Bobsled, and lived in the house under the Thunderbolt roller coaster when he worked as its caretaker, died on Monday after battling cancer. “Coney Island was Andy’s life and obsession,” wrote Charles Denson, in a moving tribute to his friend, who is featured in his books “Coney Island: Lost and Found” and “Wild Ride: A Coney Island Roller Coaster Family.”
“Andy grew up working in Coney Island. He possessed a pure devotion to whatever ride he worked on and the people he worked for,” Denson writes in “Wild Ride.” When the Tornado roller coaster was set afire by arsonists in 1977, Andy climbed to the top and stood beneath the Christmas cross screaming “We’re gonna fix it! The Tornado will be back!” But the coaster was doomed. “The image of Andy Badalamenti high atop the smoldering ruins of the historic roller coaster, triumphant and defiant, promising rebirth, remains a part of Coney Island folkore,” writes Denson.
This photo of Andy Badalamenti trying out a 120-year-old chair from Feltman’s Maple Garden Restaurant was taken at the Coney Island History Project on August 29, 2008. Astroland was set to close forever on the next weekend. After winning a one-year reprieve, many of us felt despondent about not being able to save the park again. But Andy wasn’t about to give up hope. He had dreams of moving the rides a few blocks away and was busily talking up the idea. His eyes always glittered when he smiled.
The 120-year-old chair had a sign telling people not to sit on it, but if anyone had earned the right to sit on a Coney Island museum piece it was Andy Badalamenti. Rest in peace, Andy. Coney Island will miss you.
The wake will be at 2-5pm and 7-9pm on July 27 and 28 at Cusimano and Russo Funeral Home, 2005 W. 6th St at Avenue T, in Brooklyn. The funeral will be at 9:45am on Friday, July 29, at the Church of Saints Simon and Jude, 185 Van Sicklen St at Avenue T.
Andy Badalamenti with Louise Bonsignore, whose family owned and operated the Bobsled, at the Coney Island History Project. September 8, 2008. Photo © Tricia Vita
Related posts on ATZ…
March 16, 2012: Rest in Peace: Jerry Albert, Co-Founder of Coney Island’s Astroland Park
July 29, 2011: Photo Album: Coney Island Tribute to Andy Badalamenti
May 19, 2011: Rest in Peace: Rabbi Abraham Abraham’s Synagogue Was the Beach
October 13, 2010: Rest in Peace: Scott Fitlin, Coney Island’s Eldorado Man
Amusing the Zillion 
I loved to hear Andy talk about animals. He loved red cats.
RIP.
The Bobsled. The Tornado. The Thunderbolt. It’s getting to the point where who the hell knows about them anymore, except for obsessive history buffs and tenacious old-school Coney Islanders.
The loss of Andy Badalamenti is all the more keenly felt because they’re not making them like that anymore. Dedicated, hands in the grease, know how to make it work. Style. Bowery Charisma. Hard work. Man, am I bummed.
You can be sure though, that none of this means anything to the wrist-banders at Brave New Luna Park, who I imagine one day will bemoan the “old days” of the Brooklyn Flyer, The Slingshot and the lovely cappuccino cafe on the Boardwalk.
Bitter? Not me. Just old. Time marches on.
I never met the man, but he sounds like a great person. Nice tribute and photo. R.I.P.
I worked with Andy for many years in Coney Island,
When he had his flying Jets and his two ‘55 Cadillac’s. He was on top of the world. Later we worked together on the Tornado roller Coaster and the Bobsled ride on the Bowery – towards the end of that illustrious midways life. We had a lot of good times together and wonderful memories
of the shenanigans that we were involved in during the “70’s. I will miss him and that ever famous pointing finger.
P.S I still have an old polaroid photo of the flying Jets, man he was proud of that little ride.
Andy was so much part of the “stuff” Coney Island was made of.
I’ll miss seeing him around next time I’m at Coney.
While volunteering at the History Project in 2007, I remember poring over Mr. Badalamenti’s book on the Bobsled – it was such a joyous read, filled with a great love and pride for that long-lost coaster. He must have been quite a man – thoughts of Coney and its extended family are coming from me, all the way from Texas. Rest in Peace.
I remember Andy RIP, God Bless!
3,000 Miles Away: My brother Andrew (Andy to his friends) was ten years old in 1961 and I was five when we were thrown 3,000 miles apart from each other by our parents’ divorce. Little did we know then, that this event would forever set in stone a brotherly relationship “that could never be”. I write these words with a broken heart as my brother has passed away and for the now “fifty years” since we originally parted, try as we might throughout all the years to meet with each other, we could never heal the deep wounds created by our mother leaving him in Brooklyn and myself being moved to California. I’ve been told that every time Andrew would hear “Hotel California” on the radio, he would have to change the channel because it hurt so much.
Andrew and I have missed sharing so much from each other’s lives, but most of all family togetherness, and now it is finally all over. I envy all of you reading this that regularly got to share a joke with him, discussed the events going on in Coney Island, exchanged holiday gifts, listened to his dreams and could say they were his good friends.
Unfortunately we could never get on the same page, try as we might, and it is neither of our faults. I can count on one hand the amount of times we got to sit at a dinner table together, talk about our problems, or share our thoughts. On one occasion when I said I wish I could be closer to him, Andrew said: “If you moved to New York and lived next door to me, you’d still be 3,000 miles away”. He had every right to be bitter, and for that I am truly sorry and wish he could have forgiven me for anything I may have done to hurt him. What a shame because life is so short. Now here I am, as I have been all this time, still 3,000 miles away.
Hi Ralph, it’s John DiStefano. Don’t know if you remember me, but I came to see you in CA and we wrote for a few years after that. I just found out today about Andrew from my sister. Please accept my condolences – it’s very sad. I know first hand how much you missed your brother and how deeply you longed to reconnect with him. I hope you find a way to find comfort in knowing that you really did do everything you could. Andrew was a very nice guy. I’ll never understand how he couldn’t see how much you wanted and needed your brother. May he rest in peace and may you find it. Write me if you ever want to chat (jdistefa[AT]optonline[DOT]net).
OMG can’t believe your gone, I remember when you caught me smoking a cigarette in your basement and you told me yeah you think your tough smoke one of these, you gave me one of those awful non filtered cigarettes and boy did i get a mouthful of nicotine nasty but we laughed. Will miss you.
[…] the wake for Coney Island ride maestro Andy Badalamenti, our eyes were drawn to this special floral tribute featuring photos of Coney Island’s […]
What can I say about Andrew, Well he was a one of a kind man. As children we would sneak to Coney Island and as soon as he saw us he would start yelling to go home and we shouldn’t be there it was always getting dark.Then he would make us go on the Himalaya a few time and walk us to the train. Anyone that knew Andrew knew that he was from the old school, taught well from Zia Fara (his Grandmother).He always said that a woman had to walk behind the man. We had plenty of arguments over this but always in good fun and laugh. He was a Good person, May God give him eternal light and rest in peace. Now for the rest of us, Life is short and all we leave behind is memories no matter how rich or poor we are. We cant take it with us. Good memories are all we have.
“Bella Vita” as he would say Buon Riposo Andrew
Andrew , we miss you dearly . your first day in hevan,
Andrew, you left us too soon. You will be missed by everyone that knew you. Whether you saw them every day or once in awhile. The memories of you at Coney Island will always be in our hearts. You were one of a kind. May you Rest In Peace. I hope that everyone that passed away before you were there to greet you home. Again although we didn’t see each other much, you left a trail of broken hearts.
In school you told everyone that I was your older sister. Since we both shared the same last name, it was easy to get away with it, so I went along. You will always be my younger brother. Your spirit will always live on in my heart, until we are joined again…RIP Andrew, I will miss you here on Earth ~ XOXO YOUR COUSIN GRACE BADALAMENTI
MY DEAR FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR ANDREW…..I MISS U SO MUCH..WISH YOU WERE HERE SITTING AT MY DINING ROOM TABLE W/BILLY AND ME..TELLING ME HOW GOOD EVERYTHING WAS AND MAKING US LAUGH..I CAN EVEN THINK ABOUT HOW MANY TIME YOU TOLD ME YOU LOVE MY SAUCE AND MEATBALLS…AND MOST OF ALL HOW YOU WERE DREAMING OF THE MANICOTTI THAT I MADE FOR YOU …I LOVE YOU MY DEAR FRIEND…YOU WERE NOT ONLY BILLY’S FRIEND BUT MINE ALSO…REST IN PEACE MY LOVE…FOREVER YOUR ANGEL….LOISANN
Andrew, Our Dear Friend. We Miss You So Much! Your Beautiful smile would light up every time you spoke of coney island.You suffered terribly, and now you are in the arms of an angel.Every time I go to coney island I will see your smiling face, and I will know you are looking down at us.conrad & I will never forget you!….
marlene & conrad nucifora
My dear friend Andrew… I cant express the sadness in my heart, but I cant help but smile when I think of all the good times.
You were the first person to call me Vinny Vinny..you said you had to call me twice because I would not listen the first time…well almost ,40 years later it still sticks
I was a kid when you, Big Sal,Little Sal,Billy,Jimmy,and the rest of the guys wrapped your arms around me and called me brother…today I lost a brother..but in my heart you will live forever..i love you always..Vinny Vinny
Rest in peace Andrew.
Hi Trina. I really enjoyed your post and sharing of memories. Here is a personal video tribute to celebrate my early years with Andrew. This is all I have left, memories. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4FDuOJI7Do
Ralph, thank you for sharing your family photos in this elegiac and beautiful tribute. And thanks to everyone who shared memories of Andy. It is very moving to read them all.
On Monday Aug 8, Charles Denson’s photo tribute will be screened at Coney Island Flicks on the Beach before the showing of Woody Allen’s Annie Hall.
The film starts at dusk
Andrew My Honey, I miss you terribly! Your sence of humor & your beautiful smile. I miss you coming over and joinging us for dinner. Why could this not continue too be? We are heartbroken. You will forever be in ou thoughts. I love you!!! Your little Indian.
R.I.P. ANDY BADALAMENTI -KING of the CONEY ISLAND RIDES. Just found out that Andy passed a month ago :( -After30 years,I saw him about 3 or4 years ago across the street from Nathan’s.We instantly recognized each other &jumped to hugged each other :) We reminised about how we first met as friends when i was a young teen by letting me on the Himalaya for Free everyday to when we started dating when I was about 20,& about me moving to California and losing touch.Talked about the best times driving around in his old big black antique 1955 car he had(he said he still had it!) He gave me his # & I recgonized the number that I called over a hundred times. It was the same! (except for the area code 212,now 718.) We spoke on the phone about a dozen times after that,but never got to get together, with me living in PA at the time. I was in Coney Island for the 1 da,y 4th of July 2010 for the W.5th st BBQ at the handball courts& i called Andy to come down,but he couldn’t that day& said we’d get together the next time I came in. That was the last time i spoke to him. All I can say is R.I.P. ANDY :( — I will never forget you. You always made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. I was very lucky to have known you. Save me a seat on that Himalaya in the sky. xxxxoooo
Andy and I were junior Hs Classmates at David A Boody in the early 60s’ I used to play hooky quite a bit and one day Andy asked me were I used to go on my days off ( lol ) I told him i used to go to Coney Island and make easy money by running errands for people on the rides which eventually led up to myself working on them. It didn’t take long for Andy to come down and join me through the years we both worked for some of the same people but unfortunately never at the same time. When I turned 17 I went over to the us Army recruiting station in the little trailer next to Nathans and signed up. little did I know that I would be gone for the next 20 years. Every time I came home on leave I always made it over to Coney Island Especially to say hello to my friend Mr. Coney Island (Andy). I retired at ft.Dix in New Jersey on 1 Nov 1988 and always made at least one trip to coney during the summer and made sure I went over to see my friend Andy. I did not come over the Bridge this summer for reasons unknown and now I only say that I’m sorry I never got to say goodbye my Friend. Rest In Peace My Brother 02/24/2012
My Dad , Joey Monetti used to let the owners park the cars in our barn back in the early 70’s. Looking back every one knew my dad.
I’m sorry for your loss.
I should have said that if you think these families might have known each other it could be because my Grand father Jerry Monetti was the first employee of Nathan’s ( He was the potato man & he whistled all the time.
Omg..sorry to hear this..rip you caretaker of dreams….may not know you personally..but feel I was born at Ravenhall..steeplechase..coney island was my playground…sts. Simon and Jude .my school..the funeral parlor..my block..west 6 at…till I was 21 yes old..surly you all are missed..and thank you all for the memories…God bless