Amerio Corradi Obituary

Corradi, Amerio
November 10, 1922 - February 17, 2010
Hail to the King of Tea Cakes

Amerio Corradi, known in Burbank, for fifty years, as the King of Tea Cakes has passed away at the age of 87.

Blessed with an irrepressible lust for life he brought to generations of Angelenos the taste of pleasure and comfort which grew into the cult of the Tea Cake.

Born in 1922 to Italian immigrant parents Rudolpho and Francesca Corradi, Amerio lived and worked his entire life in Burbank. He attended Burbank High School when he met his wife Mary. In 1943 they married before he began his World War ll service in the Army Corps of Engineers. Amerio distinguished himself in service during his participation in the landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944. He subsequently, acted as an outstanding member of his company which liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp.

Returning to Burbank in 1945 Amerio went into business with his life long, best friend and partner Victor Martino, Jr. at Martino's Bakery which would become the largest diversified commercial bakery in Southern California with fresh daily deliveries via more than sixty trucks to the greater So. Cal. and Nevada areas. Martino's Bakery became a competitive force to be reckoned using the slogan "a tasty pie, a tender crust". But the enduring legacy of Amerio Corradi and Martino's Bakery is the Tea Cake. The Tea Cake was developed by Amerio and his partner Victor at the behest of client looking for a special light and airy cake, buttery and delicious. The result has been enjoyed by legends of people for more than fifty years.

Martino's Bakery was sold to Campbell's Soup/Pepperidge Farms in 1979. Amerio stayed on with Pepperidge Farms as a consultant for ten years. At which time he kept his creative needs satisfied by financing and directing a retail bakery in Burbank called The Original Martino's Bakery where Tea Cakes continue to satisfy the public each and every day. Amerio had continued to be the driving force- working daily from early in the morning until very recently when he began to contemplate retirement.

He is survived by countless friends and family, his loving and supportive wife Mary, son Dennis, his wife Erika; son Gerald, his wife Christie and his grandchildren Jesse, Alexys and Aron.

Services will be held Saturday February 27, 2010 at noon Old North Church/ Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills/ 6300 Forest Lawn Dr. LA 90068. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of Amerio Corradi.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Feb. 23, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Amerio Corradi

5 Entries

Walt Gordon

February 25, 2010

Amerio and Mary were like parents. Their kindness, especially when my mother passed, will never be forgotten. My character was shaped in part by their actions and they are great role models, even today. Their sons, Dennis and Jerry are just like their parents, kind, caring, responsible and generous and I know that Mr. and Mrs. "C" will always be proud of their family. Thank you Lord for placing them in my life.

Wes Clark

February 24, 2010

I grew up in Burbank, but was only introduced to the Martinos teacake in Sep 2008 - and immediately realized what I had been missing in the 60's, 70' and 80's! R.I.P.

February 24, 2010

My sincere sympathy to Mary and family. I will always remember the wonderful times shared with both Amerio and Mary when I was married to Tom Behncke. My parents rented one of their homes on Main St. for many years and remember wandering from their back yard to theirs to say my hello's when I was in town. And yes, oh those tea cakes! To this day I have not found a better dessert and miss not being able to get them in Bakersfield. Marion Behncke (my mother-in-law) was so close to both and I always enjoyed listening to the stories of their travels together. As my daughter Shannan stated, I'm sure Marion was there to greet Amerio with a big hug and kiss. My love to the whole family and my thoughts are with you.
Carole Ward (Behncke)

Shannan Fix (Behncke)

February 24, 2010

I'm so sorry to hear of Amerio's passing. I have many memories dating back to my earliest childhood of both Amerio and Mary Corradi. My dad Tom worked for Amerio when I was a young girl and I can remember visting him at Martino's many times. My Grandma, Marion Behncke, was lifelong friends with the Corradi's and my Grandparents, the Nelsons, lived in one of the Corradi's homes right behind their house (their backyards connected). And of course, the tea cakes, which remained a part of my life even after I've moved away from Burbank as my Grandma always had some around on special occasions. It's been years since I've seen Amerio, but I have warm memories when I think of him. May he rest in peace and I'm sure my Grandma Behncke was there to greet him with a smile and hug.

GEORGE CONTRERAS

February 23, 2010

Thank You Sir,I will always remember walking to Jordan ,and the smell of baking cookies and cakes in the air.I continued going to Martino's Wherever they were located. I spoke to you whenever I saw you at the most recent location.I always called you Sir.God Bless You Sir.Thank You.

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