Vincent "Bubba" Anthony Mandola
1942-2020
Vincent ""Bubba"" Anthony Mandola passed away in Houston on Sunday, the 19th of July 2020, at the age of 77.
He was a remarkable husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Anyone who met him instantly loved him. You never walked away from him without a smile and a laugh. He was known for his witt and true ability to light up a room with his charismatic personality. Vincent's persona included his signature starched shirts and pristine appearance.
Vincent was born on the 30th of August 1942, in Houston. He attended Annunciation Catholic Church and was a graduate of Saint Thomas High School, class of 1961. He married his childhood sweetheart of 57 years, Mary Virginia Provenzano, on the 16th of June 1963. Three years after they were married, he served in the Vietnam War in 1967. He graduated with top honors as part of his bootcamp training class and was transferred to Vietnam where his job was head cook of his platoon. It had only just began. Vincent and Mary opened Nino's in 1977, they began a tradition for Houstonians who appreciated Italian dining capturing the essence of Italy in ambiance and food. Nino's has been a long-time favorite offering family hospitality. They came up with many of their culinary ideas and recipes through frequent trips to all of Italy. The food, wine and sights helped to foster the love for family, friends and customers alike.
Based on strong work ethic and his family's commitment to the business, they were able to open several other concepts. Bubba didn't look at the business as work, he woke up every day knowing he was doing exactly what he loved to do. A perfect quote from Bubba ""If we didn't have a large family dinner on Sunday, the day wasn't complete."" His love for family was larger than life.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Virginia; his daughters, Vinceanne Mandola, Mary Dana Corbett and her husband Peter Corbett. The love and joys of his life were his grandchildren, Vincent, Antonino and Gianni Green, Micaela, Julia and Peter Joseph Corbett; siblings, Margaret Ann Vallone and her husband Rocco, Rose Marie Carrabba and her husband Johnny, Anthony Mandola and his wife Phyllis, and Damian Mandola and his wife Trina; sisters-in-law, Camilla Rose Maida and Miklyn Provenzano; and many special and loving nieces and nephews.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 22nd of July, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at half-past six o'clock.
A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 23rd of July, at the Church of the Annunciation, 1618 Texas Avenue in Houston, where the Most Rev. Brendan J. Cahill, STD, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Victoria,Texas and the Rev. Paul Felix, Pastor, are to celebrate.
KINDLY NOTE: due to COVID-19 social distancing protocols currently in place, seating is limited in the church so guests are invited to visit the church's website at annunciationcc.org in order to obtain a ticket for entry. All others are invited to attend the service virtually via the link accessed on Mr. Mandola's online memorial tribute page at GeoHLewis.com, where memories and words of comfort and condolence may also be shared electronically with his family.
The Rite of Committal will follow, via an escorted cortège, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests the memorial contributions in his name be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105; St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77007; or to the charity of one's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors.
We are following in Bubba, Mary and the girls path.Brought the entire Family to Italy.
Leonard Cherry
July 15, 2023
I will miss you forever Bubba Love you SAM
Sam Joseph Ruffino
Friend
July 15, 2023
He was my Best Friend, and I loved him .
Sam Joseph Ruffino
Friend
July 15, 2022
Vince: We all still miss you. To have a visit today with a couple of High School Classmates and we will for sure say a prayer and great words about you!
Joe Cotrone
School
July 15, 2022
Thinking about your family and Sending thoughts and prayers to your way. Love you!
Lisa Strange
July 15, 2021
I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a good man. I used to take care of your plants and your restaurants and home for Inner Gardens. My deepest sympathies.
Dianne Gilbert
Acquaintance
September 10, 2020
Our deepest sympathy to the family! We had the pleasure of playing music for Vincent for many years, he was always so kind and inspiring to play for! Our friends that came out really liked him, he always took time to say hello to everyone and made us and them feel welcome! Our prayers go out to the family! May God Bless You All!!
Michael and Dawn Vanlangendonck "Van-lang"
July 24, 2020
Mary, Vinceanne and Dana,
We are deeply saddened for the loss of Bubba. I always
looked up to Bubba and was very honored to know him. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family.
Mike and Frannie Danna
Friend
July 24, 2020
I will truly miss Vincent. For over 40 year he was a huge part of our families lives. from weddings, anniversarys, birthdays or just a delicious dinner he would always top by and make the evening special! He called me boy and always had a joke for me and me for him. I watched his daughters grow up and get married and there was no finer father or grandpa! He will leave a big hole in my heart. I will keep all those wonderful memories close to my heart. Mary and Dana and Vinceanne my condolences, from Gail and myself much love to your entire family!
kenny goldstein
Friend
July 23, 2020
Vincent was one in a million. We will miss him dearly. May God be so ever close to his family during this time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Tom and Sandy Wilson
Tom and Sandy Wilson
Acquaintance
July 23, 2020
Mary and Girls,
Such a Beautiful service for a truly wonderful man who was my role model all these years as a Husband, Father and Businessman. I am here if ever needed or to just share cherished memories.
Leonard Cherry
Friend
July 23, 2020
My deepest condolences for your loss. Bubba was one of the good guys and it is an honor to have known him.
ANGELO MOSCARELLI
Friend
July 23, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Silvia Martinez
Friend
July 23, 2020
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, Vincent. Visiting with him at Nino's or Vincent's was always one of the highlights of our dining experience. We will fondly treasure his sense of humor and his personal acts of kindness and consideration over the last 43 years. As a passionate restaurateur, Vincent set new standards in the food service industry and stood out as one of the absolute finest anywhere in the world. In his restaurants, he wore his signature apron to communicate a clear message of welcome and to ensure that we would be treated to impeccable hospitality.
Personally, we will miss Vincent and we pray that his family will find strength in the Lord. Rest in peace dear friend.
Sylvia and John Cantú
Sylvia & John Cantu
Friend
July 23, 2020
Dear Mary, we are so saddened for the loss of Bubba. He was truly a kind man and will be greatly missed by us. Plum and Bubba would talk regularly on the phone exchanging jokes and catching up mainly on all the good times they shared together through the years. They were dear friends. We are so sorry for not being able to attend the funeral services for Bubba, due to the underlying conditions from this virus. You and your family are deeply in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you during this very difficult time. Love, Sandy & Plum
Sandy & Plum
Friend
July 22, 2020
Mr. Mandola always greeted my family and me with a warm smile and welcome when we dined at Nino. Mr. Mandola always made a big deal of saying hello to my dad who was 90 years old. One evening, when we were talking before dinner, my dad recalled the sfingess that his mom used to make. A little while latter, Mr. Mandola came out to our table with a plate full of hot, sugared sfinges - before the entree was served ! He always made us feel welcome and special. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. Mary Ann Canino Anderson.
Mary Ann Canino Anderson
Acquaintance
July 22, 2020
Sherman Law
July 22, 2020
Mary Virginia & family, Kenny & I were heart broken to hear about Bubba ! He was a super great guy , we still love the wine we first had there at Ninos & he was so generous to give us a bottle to take home. Our prayers of comfort are with you all !
Kenny & Mary Burks
Family
July 22, 2020
Jamie Lewis
July 22, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Ruth Duran Buyers
Coworker
July 22, 2020
prayers are with the family
Angelo Santopolo
Acquaintance
July 22, 2020
Angelo Santopolo
July 22, 2020
Vincent & Mary: always very kind and friendly. God Bless as you looking down on us from above.
Joe C Cotrone
Classmate
July 22, 2020
David Rosenberger
July 22, 2020
I am so saddened by the passing of Mr. Mandola. My husband and I spent countless evenings and celebrations in what we had always thought of as our favorite restaurant . Mr. Mandola made our evenings special and always made sure to come by our table to check on us and make sure everything was perfect. He was such a lovely man and will be greatly missed.
Tami DuBose
Acquaintance
July 22, 2020
HANS schleicher
July 22, 2020
My husband and I came often for years - we are from Beaumont . Always a open arm for a hug and a kiss to welcome us . We send our love to his dear family . What a special man he was
Mia and Dee Dugas
Mia and Dee Dugas
Acquaintance
July 22, 2020
Shirley Lampo
July 22, 2020
Mrs. Mandola, Vinceanne and Dana - I am so sorry to hear about Mr.Mandola. You are all deeply in my thoughts and prayers as you go through the next few days, and I pray for you to have peace in the weeks and months to come. Much love always.
Marionette Agrella
Friend
July 22, 2020
For decades my fiends and I would dine at Vincents, Nino's and Grappino di Nino and Vincent helped me organize my company annual party in one of the private rooms in Grappino always around Easter weekend which is a favorite time of the year for us. Vincent was such a remarkable man, always giving and so friendly. What also was so striking was his innate ability to see the future for his family and business interests of which he excelled in them all. Not long ago I ran into him parking by me at a grocery store and he spent 15 minuets laughing and chatting and catching up and he always would invite me back to dine and ask for him. Vincent will always be a favorite friend one who is admired for so many reasons. Thank you Vincent and family.
Phillip Williams
Friend
July 22, 2020
a loved one
July 21, 2020
Our family enjoyed many wonderful occasions at all of Vincent’s restaurants. He was a wonderful host and always made us feel like family. Our hearts go out to all of his loved ones. We pray that his memory will be a blessing to all of you. Marianne and Larry Greenfield
Larry and Marianne Greenfield
Acquaintance
July 21, 2020
a loved one
July 21, 2020
Bubba was an original. On the upside, he lived a tremendous life surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, guests, and newcomers, while he nourished their bodies, minds, and souls not only with sustenance, but also with love, joy, and affection. Bubba was a storyteller and one he shared routinely with me and my family and friends was about when I was a busboy at Nino's in the late 1970s: I tuned the restaurant floor stereo to a rock station during a Led Zeppelin special; he came out of the kitchen and was shocked to hear rock on the floor, and found me fine turning the hifi stereo; he didnt get mad, yet simply turned it back to classical and told me not to do that again. Every time I saw Bubba as an adult, he reenacted the story with arm out illustrating with his fingers the fine-tuning of the dial for my family and friends. Here's to Vincent, good times, family, and friends. I wish that his family and friends embrace peace, love, and joy in all the wonderful experiences and memories that he helped create. Viva!
Jordan Faires
Coworker
July 21, 2020
I will always remember that big smile and friendly greeting that Mr. Mandola gave us as we entered one of his restaurants. Vincent always took the time to have a short conversation with us before our meals. We met Vincent through his lovely wife Mary and our condolences and sympathy go out to her and the entire Mandola family. God bless all. We are currently not in Houston, and will be thinking of everyone over the next few days.
Thomas R. Woehler, MD
Friend
July 21, 2020
Dear Peter and Dana,
We were very sorry to hear of your great loss. He looked like such a content and happy person. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Bea & Rob McLellan (Peter's aunt)
Bea McLellan
Family
July 21, 2020
a loved one
July 21, 2020
a loved one
July 21, 2020
I was a team mate with Bubba at St. Thomas and also a classmate in the class of 1961. Bubba was out shortstop and we won TCIL state championships our junior and senior years. He was a great team mate with strong defensive skills. He will be greatly missed. The attached picture was from the 1961 St. Thomas year book.
Gene Deluke
Classmate
July 21, 2020
Bubba
I will miss you more than words can say .We grew up together
Sam J. Ruffino
Friend
July 21, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Urso Family
Friend
July 21, 2020
Stacy Urso
July 20, 2020
Mary Virginia: Special thoughts are with you and your family. It's been many years but I still remember Bubba was a great guy.
Virginia Hurlbut
Friend
July 20, 2020
We will miss Vincent greatly. He was always so kind when we visited the restaurant.
Jerri A Ervin
Acquaintance
July 20, 2020
Miklyn Provenzano
July 20, 2020
I have know Vinceanne and Dana since college. I have lots of fond memories with both of them through those years, after college and getting together with our own children at the beach. I was able to enjoy seeing Mr. Mandola with my many visits to Houston and Galveston during those special times. My favorite part was visiting the restaurants where Mr. Mandola always greeted me with a hug and kiss followed by lots of witty jokes and of course wonderful food! He always made me feel so welcome in his home and was just a very genuine soul. He should be very proud of the wonderful family he made and the family values he instilled. He will be missed. Heaven has definitely gained a wonderful angel and Im sure he will be preparing the most wonderful meals, sharing some great wine and telling some witty jokes. Much love to the Mandola family. Lisa Strange.
Lisa Strange
Friend
July 20, 2020
Vinceanne and Dana:
Im saddened to hear of Bubbas passing. He was such a great man. I feel privileged to have known him and experienced his generosity, kindness and love for his family. He exemplified what it means to be a true gentleman and a great father. You all are in my prayers during this difficult time and beyond. God bless you and your family.
Matthew Dexter
Friend
July 20, 2020
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