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Larry Matranga
1936 - 2012
Larry Matranga
1936 - 2012
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1936
DIED
2012
Larry Matranga Obituary
Born in Detroit during the depression, Larry quickly learned the value of a dollar. He worked at a bowling alley and his father's dry cleaning business before moving to San Diego to escape the harsh Michigan winters. Larry got his first taste of bartending at his Uncle's bar "The Buccaneer" on 4th Street Downtown. An occupation that was to be his true forte in life. During this time he was introduced, thru mutual family, to his future bride and love of his life, Santina. Married a few years later, their love affair would continue through 51 years of marriage. Their deep affection for one another was the bond that most long for, but few achieve.
Larry enlisted in the Army and spent his time in Germany as a cook. Afterwards, he tried his entrepreneurial skills in various ways, including owning six lunch trucks and two Laundromats. However, it was in the bar business that he ultimately achieved success. Purchasing Patrick's in 1976, when downtown was still in decline, his nightclub became a catalyst in the revitalization of the area. For almost thirty years Larry could be found behind the bar at Patrick's, with a smile on his face, a joke at the ready and a bottle of peppermint schnapps in his hand, ready to welcome all to his establishment. No one did it better. He will be missed. For the good time!!
Larry's surviving loved ones include his wife Tina, sons, Chris (Cindy) and Mario (Kathy), grandchildren Brianna, Nicholas, David (Courtney), Joshua, Cheyenne and Michael. His sister Rose (john, brothers Joe (Thomasine) and Henry (Becky), and Numerous nieces and nephews. Also, his loving mother, Josephine, who celebrated her 101st birthday on October 23rd.
There will be a visitation from 6pm to 8pm with a Rosary at 6:30pm at Goodbody Mortuary on Monday, October 29, 2012.
Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at Our Lady of the Rosary at 10am.
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May 23, 2013
Tina:
Annette and I were in Asia this fall, and I only found out through a band dinner recently. You know how much I adored you and Larry and all that you meant to our band and the love of music at Pat's ii. I long for the music and the camaraderie as I write this. My love to you, Mario and the family.
Richard Rachel, The Buick Wilson Band
Paul & Marcia Broadway
April 7, 2013
Dear Tina and family, Marcia and I just found out about Larry's passing. Marcia and I loved him and have many fond memories of you and Larry. In many ways, your love and relationship was an example for ours and we honor you for that.
November 19, 2012
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT. I WILL ALWAYS MISS HIM AND I WILL ALWAYS BE MRS. LARRY MATRANGA.
TINA
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mario koll
October 31, 2012
So sorry to hear about your loss my prayers to you and all your family, Mario K
October 30, 2012
Our love and prayers go out to Tina and all the family. When God created Larry he broke the mold! STYLE was his middle name and he made everyone family! Love ya Larry,with both working & patronizing Patrick's for 23 yrs it was a most awesome experience of my life because of you!
Marie Nakashima & family
October 29, 2012
Oh this is such sad news, Randy just saw Larry and Tina last week and said how great you both looked. Tina our hearts go out to you and your family, you were such a wonderful example of true love.
We have so many fond memories of nights at Patrick's, no trip downtown was complete without a stop at the bar. Any time we had guests who came into town we made a night at Patrick's as important as viewing the Del or going to the beach, So many sweaty nights of dancing and those infamous shots of schnapps at the bar, we will always have sweet memories.
Whenever I needed to book bands for events, I would go to Larry - better than any booking agent in town. He was so instrumental in bringing great music to San Diego, and sweet, gracious fellow Italian Tina at the door. We were sad when you retired but broken hearted now.
Our love and condolences to you and your entire family.
Fondly,
Jan Barranco-Grams and Randy Grams
Edward (Eddie) Whitehead
October 29, 2012
My Condolences Go Out to Tina and the Family. Larry Was A Friend and A Go Man.. Larry, Tina and the Family Alwasys Made Me and Many Others Welcome Patricks II.. My prayers go out to Tina, Mario and Family...
Danny DiCarlo
October 29, 2012
"My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to Tina, Mario and the entire family. Larry was a great man... always a pleasure to speak with... his spirit will live on forever! I will always appreciate the opportunity he gave me, to perform at Patrick's II, and be part of a musical legacy, something that wouldn't exist in the Gaslamp without Larry."
Heidi Lowe
October 29, 2012
So sorry to hear that Larry is gone. I will always have a special place in my heart for the man that brought SO much fabulous blues music into my life. That smile, the Peppermint Schnapps, the jokes, the friendship. Tina, Mario and the family, we all loved Larry so much! Hugs and prayers.
jonny viau
October 28, 2012
My thoughts are with you guys. Larry was like a father to me and many other musicians in San Diego. Lets drink a toast of peppermint schnopps to Larry
jonny viau
fallbrook CA
pauline storey
October 28, 2012
My deepest sympathies go to Tina and the family. Larry was a good man. I enjoyed seeing him when I worked for his cousin Larry at Pal Joeys My prayers are with you
October 28, 2012
Whether the Barracudas or the Chicago-sound blues groups, whether Bobby doin' "Bumblebee" or the introduction of some rock-band San Diego might not have known about otherwise... P-II brought us a Friday night.
RIP Mr.. Larry.......
Alan Iglesias
October 27, 2012
Of all the things I will remember about Larry, the one that will stand out is that incredible gravelly voice! When Larry told you that your band was doing something good for his club, you had this wonderful feeling like finally impressing your parents after wanting to do so for your whole life. I will never forget the things that Larry said to me, and certainly the way he said it! I wish the entire family the very best, and know that Larry's legacy will live in all of you. God bless you all.
October 27, 2012
Larry and Tina provided me a chapter of my life full of fun and music and friendships.
I thank you so much. My thoughts and love to Tina, Mario and family.
Love, Marcy
Ric Lee
October 27, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go to you Larry my friend! The Matranga family is a huge part of my life and I love all of them! I will miss Larry very much. I started playing Patricks II in 1984 and have many wonderful memories of Tina at the door, Larry and Mario working the bar. I learned so much from Tina and Larry about the music business and how to love life.
October 27, 2012
A loving and great Italian family. Larry gave me my start in San Diego. God Bless Larry, Tina, and the entire Matranga family. His legacy lives on as a family man and an enabler of musicians in Southern California.
Nik Simon
October 27, 2012
This man worked so hard all his life. I can not think of another person that did
more for blues music in San Diego on a day-to-day basis. I just got a call from
Ronnie Lane that Larry had passed- and I feel so much for Tina and Mario.
Patricks was an AWESOME place due to your dedication! Rest in peace old friend, Barney
JoAnn Thompson
October 27, 2012
Tina, been gone for a couple weeks and just heard about Larry. I'm so sorry for your loss. Know what you are going through. I pray God gives you the strength to get through it all. You're strong and God is there for you as is the family.
God Bless you, JoAnn and the Principato family
October 26, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss. Rita , Jim and Sara George
October 26, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tina and your family. I am so deeply sadden by the loss of my brother such a wonderful brother. I will always cherish the times we shared together. Joe
Betty Johnson
October 26, 2012
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Gary and Kathy Gibson
October 26, 2012
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss. The Lord is near always and we ask that his strength, peace and comfort be with you.
October 25, 2012
My condolences to the Matranga Family. I discovered Patricks II shortly after arriving in SD 2 yrs ago... It made all the difference in enjoying my time here!
len rainey
October 25, 2012
Thoughts and Prayers to the Matranga Family, Larry did more for music and the blues community in San Diego than most accomplish in a life time, thank you Larry for having me and mine in your club all these years R.I.P. Larry
Boyd Gardiner
October 25, 2012
Thanks for the memories my friend... and so so much more
Andrea Sage
October 25, 2012
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Matranga family.
Earl Thomas
October 25, 2012
When they write the story of Earl Thomas, Larry & Tina Matranga will have a chapter. My songwriting partner Philip C Wootton and I came to San Diego in 1987 after graduating college. We moved there to start our music careers. We chose San Diego because we had both lived there previously and knew our way around and because we had tried LA and it was too much. We decided that we'd live in San Diego and travel to LA as needed. In San Diego I joined a band called The Rhumboogies. Eric Lieberman hired me as the lead singer and it was my first real working band. Patrick's II was one of our first, best, and favorite gigs. Tina at the door and Larry and Mario behind the bar. Four shows but man!! We sure had some good times there and I had a place to learn my craft. Larry was always kind to me and I was very fond of him and his family. He was also firm "Your 15 minute break is over! Back to work!" I will always be grateful to Larry Matranga for giving me that opportunity. My deepest condolences to his family.
October 25, 2012
So sad for your loss. The Matranga Family name is a household word in San Diego thanks to Larry.
Cindy Matranga
October 25, 2012
Each day I think of you and my father, still in such a shock. You will be greatly missed. Were doing our best with your loving wife, but she is in so much pain. You know you were such a loved man, so many friends and relatives are here and calling in shock.
Miss you
<3 <3 Your Daughter in Law <3 <3
Michele Lundeen
October 25, 2012
Oh, I'm so, so sad about losing Larry. My thoughts and love go out to the family, Tina, Mario, Cathy... heck, we were all family! Larry took care of us at Patrick's II for all those years. Great memories that will remain with us! He will be sorely missed.
I'm so sorry to miss the services but am leaving the country tomorrow for a week I will reachout again when I return.
Much love and respect... from my heart (which is breaking)
Michele Lundeen
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5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
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