Obituary of Vito Mazzarino

Vito Mazzarino passed away in Salinas, CA on April 29, 2015 at the age of 74. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to Attilio and Agata(Garufi) Mazzarino, both originally from Naples, Italy. At a young age, the family moved to Southern California where, they opened up Mazzarino's Fine Italian Restaurant in Sherman Oaks. Vito worked along side the family in the restaurant learning from his father and grandfather. He joined the Navy and served on the aircraft carrier, Corral Sea, taking him to Japan. After his tour of duty, he returned to the family restaurant. At the same time he studied acting with the Peter Lance players. He earned a membership into the Screen Actors Guild after which he played in movies such as Ice Station Zebra, Planet of the Apes, and Speedway. TV shows included CHIPS, Barretta and Rockford Files. He was married to Sumi Haru, also an actress. In 1980 he moved to Waimanalo, Oahu where he worked in restaurants as a chef creating his Italian specialties, such as his eggplant parmesan. While living on Oahu, he also played in Magnum P.I. among others. In 1991, he moved to Salinas to be near his parents He met Jeanette (Caniglia) Perry and they married in 1994 in Carmel Valley, CA. They resided in Salinas, CA. He worked at First National Bank until he retired in 2000. They enjoyed Rving and traveling to Maui and Italy, Vito also loved swimming, fishing, sailing, photography and cooking for family and friends. He was known for his quick wit, sense of humor and countless stories about the movie business. He was a volunteer for several years at the California Rodeo and Cherries Jubilee. He was a member of Elks Lodge#1285 and Moose Lodge in Monterey, CA , Veterans of Foreign Wars and E. Clampus Vitus. He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Tina Mazzarino, brother John Mazzarino and in-laws, Tony and Lena Caniglia. He leaves behind his wife and best friend, Jeanette; step- children Kim Perry of Salinas and James Cameron Perry of Gonzales; his sisters Millie (Bob) House of Salinas, Marie (Dennis) Nelson of Santa Clarita, CA; sister-in-law Paula (John) Mazzarino of San Pedro, CA and brothers-in-laws, Jim Caniglia of Newark, NJ and John Caniglia of Salinas, CA. He also leaves behind several cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Heart Center and fifth floor of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital as well as the staff at Pacific Cancer Care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Marine Life Studies, P.O. Box 163, Moss Landing, CA 95039 or the Pacific Whale Foundation, 300 Maalaea Rd., Suite 211, Wailuku, HI 96793. Private services have been held. A celebration of life will be held in Monterey on May 16, 2015.