Establishing the standard of excellence for wrestling announcers across the country and around the world, Edward Aliverti made his own unique contribution to the sport.

Aliverti was born in 1932 in Walla Walla, Wash. where he attended Walla Walla High School and graduated Valedictorian of the class of 1950.  He attended Washington State University and graduated Cum Laude in 1955.

He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame  and the Washington Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1994 which goes to show that Alverti was no stranger to the world of wrestling.  He announced all of the major wrestling events including the NCAA Championships, NAIA nationals, the Olympic Games, World Championships, and 100-plus national and international events.

In addition, Aliverti was awarded a Gold Star for Meritorious Service from FILA, the international wrestling federation and was selected as USA Wrestling’s “Man of the Year” in 1992.He was  recognized for Meritorious Service by the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association, received the Dr. William Tomaras Award, and received the “Outstanding Service to Youth” award from the WIAA.

“When Ed said ‘Welcome to the World’s Oldest and Greatest Sport,’ you could feel his passion for wrestling,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.  “It was contagious. He made people want to watch wrestling matches.

“We certainly enjoyed his enthusiasm as emcee for our own Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies and admired his sincere interest in every competitor or honoree he ever introduced.  You just won’t find another guy like that.”

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Edmonds, Wash. with a reception to follow at Holy Rosary School.

There will be a private internment at Edmonds Memorial Cemetery .  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Multiple Sclerosis Helping Hands (MSHH at www.mshelp.org) or to the Virginia Mason Pancreatic Cancer Fund (https://www.virginiamason.org/home/dept.cfm?id=741).