Menotti L. "Gene" Mazza

1919 - 2018

Menotti L. "Gene" Mazza

Wilmington, DE - Mr. Mazza passed away peacefully at the age of 98 in the Community Living Center at the Delaware Veterans Hospital. Mr. Mazza was born in Serrastretta, Italy in 1919 and immigrated to the United States in 1928 where he settled in Avondale, PA. He attended Kennett High School and St. Patrick's Church, and worked on the family mushroom farm. After high school, Mr. Mazza joined the United States Marine Corps and served in World War II, seeing actions in the Pacific and later defending our country in the Korean War. Mr. Mazza earned a Purple Heart as well as numerous commendations during his service to our country. After spending a career in the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Mazza went to work for the Chester County Prison Farm System as a Sergeant in the Identification Unit and later for Hewlett Packard Company. After finally retiring, Mr. Mazza joined the ranks of the Delaware Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) where he volunteered thousands of hours at the Wilmington Police Department, serving in the Detective Division and later at the Ferris School.

Mr. Mazza was proceeded in death by his parents, Aquilino and Juliette (Nicatera) Mazza; his wife, Elvira "Dolly" Mazza; and his siblings: sister, Loretta Mazza and brother, Emilio Mazza, both of Avondale, PA, and brother, Italo Mazza of Italy.

Mr. Mazza's memory will also remain cherished by his good friend and caretaker, James Keeley and his wife Lois; Brooke Keeley; Jennifer Di Michele and Caitlyn Charlton; and his good friend and "Compa," Joe Avallone and his wife, Dot.

James and Joe would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the staff at the Delaware VA Nursing CLC for their years of outstanding care and friendship to Gene in his many years there as a resident.

A visitation will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday January 13, 2018 at Mealey Funeral Home Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington, followed by a service that will begin at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gene may be made to Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org or mailed to 1601 Kirkwood Hwy Room 27, Wilmington, DE 19805. Online condolences can be made at www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com.