Ernest Matteo "Ernie" Stagnaro

Ernie Stagnaro, co-owner of Stagnaro Bros. Seafood, Inc., passed away after a short illness on Saturday evening in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family. He was 88.

Ernie was born on April 14, 1920 in Santa Cruz to Italian immigrants. Ernie served as an altar boy at Holy Cross Catholic Church. He attended Bay View Elementary School, Mission Hill Junior High School, and two years of Chaminade Catholic High School.

As a young boy, Ernie sold newspapers on the beach and worked on the municipal wharf for various fishermen. In 1937, when he was 17, he began working with his brother Giovanni in the seafood business. After WWII, Ernie joined his brother in business establishing Stagnaro Bros. Seafood Co. which includes a restaurant and a fish market which are still located at the very end of the municipal wharf, as well as a wholesale plant at 320 Washington Street. Stagnaro Bros. celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2007.

Three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Ernie joined the navy and was sent to fight in the Pacific. Ernie served on the U.S.S. Tazewell, achieving the rank of Boatswain's Mate First Class. He was in charge of 200 men: the deck force aboard the ship and the anti-sabotage guard aboard merchant ships. He was noted for his good conduct and earned an American Area Victory Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Bar, Medal and Star, and a Philippine Liberation Bar and Star.

On shore leave in March of 1943, Ernie met Virginia Vargas at a dance at the Cocoanut Grove. They married on April 27, 1947 at Five Wounds Catholic Church in San Jose. Ernie and Virginia worked together in the family business. They had two daughters and lived next door to Ernie's brother and his family for 60 years.

Ernie and Virginia loved to travel with their friends and family. They had an active social life through the Marconi Club, Sons of Italy, Italian Catholic Federation, and Elks Lodge. Ernie enjoyed going to the beach, swimming in the ocean, playing golf, taking walks on West Cliff Drive, getting dressed up, and eating out. He loved children, ice cream, Christmas, and Frank Sinatra. He was an active grandfather and attended many school functions and sporting events. He was kind, generous, loving, and laughed often.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Virginia; his daughters and their husbands, Darlene and Ken Dyer and Sharon and Larry Bryson; his granddaughter and her husband, Danielle and Steven Evans; his grandson, Sean Dyer; his great-grandson, Matthew Evans; and 24 nieces and nephews and their spouses.

The viewing will be from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. in Santa Cruz on Thursday, October 30th; the Rosary Service will begin at 7:00 pm at the chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, October 31 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Ave. in Capitola. In lieu of sending flowers, those wishing to express their condolences may do so in the form of a memorial contribution to a favorite charity.