Ezio J. MANGIANTINI

MANGIANTINI, Ezio J. Ezio John Mangiantini passed away peacefully on January 13, 2016 at the age of 90, in Santa Rosa, CA after a short battle with cancer. He was born on July 10, 1925 in Sonoma, CA, the son of the late Concetta Catelani Mangiantini and her late husband, Narciso Mangiantini, both Italian immigrants. The first 12 years of his life he spent on the beautiful Clark Ranch on Sonoma Mountain next door to the Jack London Ranch. He attended the Dunbar Union Grammar School in Glen Ellen and Sonoma Valley High School. He joined the Army in 1943 and was assigned to the 17th AB Division and during World War II he fought on the Belgian Front and received a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge and also a Bronze Star. He received a Diplome from the French Ministry of Defense in recognition of allied activities in Normandy and the liberation of France. Ezio had lifetime memberships with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Chapter 48 of the Disabled American Veterans. After the war he worked at the Pioneer French Bakery in Sonoma which he later purchased. Concerns about flour dust led him to his ultimate career in masonry. He was a lifetime member of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers. Ezio had a great love of the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, duck and deer hunter, which he did with family and friends. He was a longtime 49ers fan. He had deep convictions and was a strong follower of the Catholic faith. Ezio was a proud member of the ICF and 70 year member of the YMI whose polenta dinners he enjoyed with many family members and friends. He leaves behind his beloved wife of over 50 years, Julia; daughter, Gina Aven (Ephrayim); grandchildren, Elin and Ezio Aven; his beloved sister, Louise Mangiantini of Sonoma; sister-in-law, Marie Ferrero of Palo Alto; and brother-in-law, Mario Ferrero (Karen) of Waterford; multiple nephews and nieces; great-grandnephews and nieces; five great-great-grandnephews; a great-great-grandniece and numerous cousins in California and also in Italy, and many friends including his dear friends, Richard and Teri Gilardoni; and their children, Dan and Lisa who were as adored as his own grandchildren. A Rosary will be said on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. and a Funeral Mass, Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., both at St. Eugene's Cathedral, 2323 Montgomery Dr. Santa Rosa. Burial with Military Honors at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 2930 Bennett Valley Rd. Santa Rosa. Immediately following burial there will be a celebration of Ezio's life at St. Eugene's Parish Life Center.