John Vito Mandarano

John Mandarano, loving father and Pa was called by God on August 17. 2025; born on April 26, 1929 he was the youngest of 4 sons- his siblings also included 4 sisters to total a family of 8. He grew up in New Rochelle, NY where he gained notoriety at New Rochelle High School as a basketball icon who was also handsome. Known as "Johnny Dimples," he was even once declared Mayor for a day. He then earned an Electrical Engineering Degree at Villanova College (now Villanova University) in 1951 and then joined the United States Air Force and achieved the rank of Lieutenant during the Korean War.
In high school, he met his wife, our Mom Theresa who was the love of his life- after his college and service stints he married Mom in 1959.
Even though he graduated with an Electrical Engineering Degree he enjoyed being a planner and entrepreneur. Although he initially knew little about Transmissions, he studied hard and opened a Lee Myles Transmissions Franchise in Bloomfield, NJ in 1965.
Dad became highly successful and built his reputation because of his expertise and mostly because he was an honest man that always fought to be fair to his customers; people knew that John would always fix their vehicles and give them an accurate diagnosis at a fair price.
In 1977 he took a chance and put in a bid to open the first service station in a small start-up community named Palm Coast, FL. Parkway Exxon opened in March 1978.
Parkway Exxon was just one of his many ventures- he then opened the first bowling center (Coquina Lanes, now known as Palm Coast Lanes) in 1981 and the first gas station/convenience store (Shell) in 1986, plus in 1987 he built another complex with a convenience store on Club House Drive which included other retail shops and then he opened a convenience store/gas station in Flagler Beach across from the existing Publix Supermarket (was Exxon, now Shell) in 1990.
On a personal note, Dad was a devoted father to his daughter Susan (Mandy), son Karl and son Johnny- he is survived by his daughter Susan (Mandy) Rittenour and son-in-law Don in Canton, GA and his son Karl and daughter-in-law Joanna in Ormond Beach, FL.
He also truly loved his only grandchild Kristen Hoyman with all of his heart and he devoted his life to helping her succeed in grammar school, high school and college- he was so proud of her earning her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Florida and becoming a successful executive and he was proud to know and he loved his precious great grandchildren Elizabeth, Elliott and Eleanor- he is survived by Kristen and her husband Matthew and the great-grandchildren in Marietta, GA.
The family will be holding a private service in his memory in Palm Coast, FL.
We hope and pray that he is now enjoying his time in Heaven with wife Mom, son Johnny and all the people that knew and loved him- may his memory be eternal.
To honor Dad's love of nature, the family asks that you consider planting a tree in his memory. ' To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John, please visit our Tree Store.