Alex E. Sebastian

Alex Emil Sebastian (1943-2022) was a force to be reckoned with. He was born and proudly raised in Beaver, PA, leaving only briefly to pursue his degree at Michigan State and to serve his country as a member of the US Navy. He went on to serve two tours of duty on the USS Pritchett in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam.

Upon completion of his tour of duty in Vietnam, Alex returned to Beaver to help his parents, Bert and Julia and his brother, David, run the family restaurant, The Wooden Indian. Never one to be stifled by tradition, Alex chose to branch off and write his own chapter by opening The Wooden Angel in 1968 with a vision of upscale American cuisine and a uniquely American wine list right in the heart of Beaver County. The Angel would go on to win numerous national awards, including Wine Spectator Magazine’s Grand Award (the only restaurant in Pennsylvania to be bestowed with the honor), Best Award of Excellence, and one of the greatest wine lists in the world.

Alex continued his wine education and went on to become the first ever California Grand Wine Wizard in 1986. This was just one of his many accolades. He also went on to be named Restaurateur of the Year by the Western Pennsylvania Restaurant Association and was a founding partner in the Chehalem Winery in Oregon and a partner in Old Germania Winery in New York. Alex was a certified professional wine judge, residing in over 20 competitions, and was also a wine appreciation instructor, using his classes to spread his love for American wines to a broader audience.

There was a lot more to Alex than wine and food, though. He loved aviation. From his Cessna 4-seater to a hot air balloon brandishing the Wooden Angel logo, Alex felt freedom in the skies. The look of pride in his eyes was obvious, whether it was flying his children, Alex and Danielle, and his friends to their next big adventure, or showcasing the breathtaking views of Beaver County from his Wooden Angel-branded hot air balloon, he loved finding himself amongst the clouds.

It only made sense, then, that his wife of 23 years, Linda, was a flight attendant when they first met. Together they loved to garden—raising vegetables and herbs used in the restaurant long before the phrase “farm to table” was coined. They also loved to travel, whether it was spending time with their friends in Lake Como, Italy, or time with their grandchildren in Florida.

Alex was also the consummate host. He loved to host elaborate parties that featured menus and wines that would give even Michelin star restaurants a run for their money.

Alex was preceded in death by his mother, Julia; father, Bert; aunt, Francis; and uncle, Alex. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda; his brother, David, and his children, David and Emily; his daughter, Danielle and her husband, Matt, and their daughter, Charly; his son, Alex, his wife, Erin, and their children, Julia and Alexander; his stepdaughter, Brandi, her husband, Michael, and their children, Parker and Luca; and his cousin Beth and her husband, Nelson, as well had his cousin, Alexa (Lex), and her husband, Cliff.

Alex often said that he wanted to be seen and not viewed–and had a not so hidden distaste for funeral homes and the color black. With that in mind, his family has chosen to forgo the traditional activities. We invite his friends and family to join us for “A Toast to Alex”—an open house-style memorial visitation at The Wooden Angel on Sunday, May 1st, from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. In order to allow the restaurant staff to join in the celebration of Alex’s life, no food will be served. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heritage Valley Foundation, an organization near and dear to Alex’s heart. Alex was the past Chair of the Board, a current board member, and the founder of the semi-annual “A Toast to Your Health” fundraiser benefiting the Medical Center and the Heritage Valley Health System, and even had the surgical waiting room named after he and Linda in recognition of their donations.

Alex signed every email with, “Wine! What are you saving it for?” With that in mind, the Sebastian family implores you to open that special bottle of wine you’ve been saving and savor it with your loved ones today, for it today is all that we’re promised.