Mariano Rotolo

Mariano Rotolo, 88, passed away early Saturday, July 8 at Redlands Community Hospital. He suffered a severe fall at his home in Fontana on July 5. Mariano was born to Anthony and Josephine Cecala Rotolo on Novem ber 21, 1917 in Los Angeles. His parents were immigrants, pursuing the American Dream, from Corleone and Cacamo, Sicily. His parents moved to the Fontana area in 1929 after the family home in Los Angeles burned. He learned citrus farming and the produce business from his father, Anthony. The eldest of five children, Mariano had to become the head of the family business and household at 21, after his father died in 1939. That same year he formed Rotolo Brothers, a produce company in Fontana. During World W ar II, he worked tirelessly running Rotolo Brothers, providing for his mother, Josephine and sisters Bernardine and Carmen while his brothers Anthony and Joseph fought in different campaigns, including Sicily. After the war, he owned and operated Rotolo Brothers with his brother, Tony, until Tony died in 1994. In 1970 Mariano purchased Eddie Malone Chevrolet from General Motors and opened Rotolo Chevrolet in May 1971. He was sole owner and operator of Rotolo Chevrolet until 1995, when his daughter Marie, purchased stock in the corporation and became partner and dealer operator. Mariano took the position of chief executive officer, and Marie became president. Very much involved in the promotion of Fontana, Mariano was a member of the Rotary Club of Fontana for 50 years, and was president in 1968-69. Mariano is survived by Nadine, his loving wife of 65 years; daughters Paula Joan Ayers of Palm Springs and Marie Antoinette Waddingham; son-in-law Bill Waddingham; grandson Steven Ayers and wife Timiko of Canad a; Kevin Ayers and wife Desiree of Canada; two great-grandchildren, Alexia Ayers and Mitchell Ayers; and brother Joseph and his wife, Ann, of Alta Loma. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 at Ingold Funeral Chapel, 8277 Juniper Ave., Fontana. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 13 at Fontana Community Church on Sierra Avenue across from Fontana City Hall.