JOHN W. MAZZOLA

MAZZOLA--John W., who led Lincoln Center for The Performing Arts for twenty years, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2014 in New York City. He was 86. A lawyer with the firm of Millbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCloy, he joined Lincoln Center in 1962 and became its chief executive officer in 1968. Mr. Mazzola skillfully steered the expansion of Lincoln Center and its programs, providing access to high quality performing arts to a city depressed by financial hardship. He passionately increased accessibility to the arts through public and televised concerts. Above all, his family was his overriding theme and connection. As noted in an article written by George Sturm for the Music Associates of America, "(i)t is as if the communion with his wife Sylvia and daughters Alison and Amy(was) constantly recharging his battery, making it possible for him to make vital, productive and imaginative connections among the countless details of his daily labors." He was decorated Cavaliere Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana and Officer Ordre des Arts et des Lettres France. He was a member of The Misquamicut Club (Rhode Island). He was born and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey and was a graduate of Tufts University (1949) and the Fordham Law School (1952). He served in the Air Force USN 45-46 and in Japan with the CIC-US Army 53-55. Mr. Mazzola is survived by his wife Sylvia (Drulie), a former theatrical producer, daughter Alison Mazzola, sister Jane Sharkey, son-in-law Terence "Tad" Flynn, and beloved grandchildren James Davis Flynn and Christina Pleasant Flynn. He was predeceased by his daughter Amy Mazzola Flynn. He will be remembered for his wry wit, storytelling, his love of cooking and entertaining. He loved sailing and the East Beach. Visitation will be held Monday, July 28 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at Frank E. Campbell at 1076 Madison Avenue. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 29 at 10:30am at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street, where he served as an usher for many years. The family asks that donations be made to The Brearley School-Amy Mazzola Flynn Fund, 610 E. 83rd St. New York, NY 10028.