Villanova coach Jay Wright’s Newtown Square tailor, Gabriele “Gabe” D’Annunzio, featured in a Jan. 23 DELCO.Today story, has died from COVID-19, reported Mike Jensen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Wright had the nickname GQ Jay as one of the best dressed basketball coaches.

 “It was all him,” Wright said Jan. 27. “It wasn’t me.”

D’Annunzio died Sunday, Jan. 24, at age 76. Born in Abruzzo, Italy, he grew up in West Philadelphia and later opened D&B Tailors in Newtown Square.

He has made tuxedos for Frank Sinatra, suits for George Burns, as well as for pro athletes and, of course, coach Wright.

“A good man, a really good man,” Wright said. “This thing is brutal.”

D’Annunzio has been with Wright about as long as Wright has been coaching Villanova.

He met D’Annunzio through his former assistant, Pat Chambers, who really wanted Gabe to make a suit for the coach.

Wright kept saying no, then he gave in.

“Once he makes you a suit and it’s custom fit, then you’re addicted”.

 “I’d pick something simple. He’d say, ‘Oh, no … we need something that’s going to pop,’ ” Wright said.

Read more about Gabe D’Annunzio at The Philadelphia Inquirer.