Agostino V. "Auggie" Nigro, uniforms tailor

Agostino V. "Auggie" Nigro, 82, of Valley Forge, who tailored uniforms for cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy and College for 42 years, died Friday, Oct. 5, at home after a 31/2-year battle with colon cancer.

Mr. Nigro, who apprenticed as a tailor in Italy, joined the military school's staff in 1962. He customized the uniforms the school ordered, did the alterations, sewed on uniform patches, and even made tablecloths for the dining hall and horse blankets, his daughter, Mariarose Drew, said.

When the movie Taps was filmed at Valley Forge's campus in 1980, Mr. Nigro fitted the cast's uniforms, including those worn by stars George C. Scott and Timothy Hutton.

He and his family lived in Germantown and then on the campus for 20 years, until he built a home nearby in the early 1990s.

Mr. Nigro was the recipient of the academy's Bob Hope Five-Star Award, named in honor of the comedian's commitment to entertaining troops. Other recipients include Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Ronald Reagan, and Gen. William C. Westmoreland.

Mr. Nigro also received the school's Order of Anthony Wayne, usually given to cadets or graduates.

While working at the academy, Mr. Nigro also did alterations for B. Altman & Co. in St. Davids and later did alterations for the Tiger Shop, a men's apparel store in Wayne.

The part-time jobs provided "play money" to spend at Atlantic City casinos and at Liberty Bell and Brandywine racetracks, his daughter said. He loved blackjack, poker, and the ponies, she said.

Mr. Nigro grew up in Castelfranci, Italy. In 1950, he immigrated to the United States and joined his father, who was operating dry-cleaning and tailoring shops in Prospect Park and Media. He then worked for the Army Quartermaster Corps and as a baker before going to work at the school.

Since 1955, he had been married to Dolores Minetti Nigro, whose parents also emigrated from Castelfranci.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Nigro is survived by a son, Ralph, and six grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at St. Katherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 104 S. Aberdeen Ave., Wayne. Friends may call from 9. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Donations may be made to Valley Forge Military Academy, 1001 Eagle Rd., Wayne, Pa. 19087.