On September 20, 2009, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mario Joseph Esposito passed away at home, surrounded by his family and loved ones at the age of 86. Mario was an icon in the County of Santa Cruz and well known and loved by many, many people.
Mario was born to Ciro and Maria Esposito in Santa Cruz on May 20, 1923. He spent his whole life in Santa Cruz County and graduated from Santa Cruz High School.
Mario worked for the County Bank of Santa Cruz for 29 years. His trust, friendship and hand shake will be forever remembered by those who knew him at the bank. In 2004, Mario returned to banking joining forces with Community Bank, currently Rabobank, as Vice President/Business Development Officer. He was instrumental in bringing in millions of deposits and loans as well. He was an incredible inspiration to the organization and staff.
Mario has achieved and accomplished many things throughout his life and has given so much to this community. He was named as Outstanding Young Man in 1958 in Santa Cruz; was awarded the Jaycee's Distinguished Service Award; served three terms as President of the San Lorenzo Valley Chamber of Commerce and then Treasurer; Director of Santa Cruz County Tuberculosis and Health Association; served on the SLV elementary school PTA board and was one of the founders of the SLVUSD school board. He started SLV Little League as a coach and a leader and remained active within the organization; director of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill Industries Board. In 1999, Mario also served as the BIG SIR in the SIRS organization as a director and chairman and received the life achievement award in 2006. He was a leader in the United Way, Red Cross and Sons of Italy. In 1991, he joined the Mall Walkers and was very involved in the program.
For 45 years, Mario was a member of the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge and served on many chairs and committees and was Exalted Ruler. He started the Monday Night Football Game dinners at Elks which were very popular as he is an avid Forty Niner fan they won on 09/20/09. He was also voted Elk of the Year in 1999. Mario also enjoyed annual trips with his wife, family and friends to Scottsdale Arizona to watch the major league baseball Spring Training.
Mario never "retired", after 29 years at County Bank, he opened up several restaurants, started his own flower business Mario's Roses and went back to banking in 2004 until 2009.
Mario is preceeded in death by his first wife June Esposito.
He is survived by his wife Lois Esposito of 36 years and his children Jeffrey Esposito, Debra husband Stephen Sanders and Nicol Esposito. His other children Steven Traylor, Robert Traylor and Sandi Evans. His sister Gloria Giovannoni and his grandchildren, Paul, James wife Deanna, Christopher, Ashley, Stevie, Michael, Jacob, Christina, Erin, Daniel, and Andrea. Great grandchildren, Zoe, Joshua, Ethan and Jared with one on the way!, and many other family members.
The family extends their appreciation to all the caregivers and Hospice of Santa Cruz that were a part of Mario's life over the past several months. Thank you for your care, comfort and response.
Services will be held on Monday, September 28, 2009, at 11:00a.m.at Twin Lakes Church 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos, California 95003.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Mario Esposito Scholarship Fund, SLV Alumni, P.O. Box 1405, Felton, CA 95018. God Bless.
ADDIO MARIO. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS IL ULTIMO PONTE. IVNO
2 comments:
My condolences to the Esposito Famiglia. Ivano you will not believe this but a very good friend of mine from childhood years and still in contact is also named Mario Esposito. My friend Mario's family immigrated to Canada from Calabria provincia di Cosenza. Esposito is a very popular last name here in Southern Ontario Canada. I would imagine it is the same in California.
Ivano you continue to maintain the flame... "SEMPRE AVANTI" I think you better register the saying !!
Ciao e Mandi
Doriano
One of my regrets regarding my book is that I did not include Mario's name. (I did include the name of his sister Gloria who lived a few houses down from "Casa di Valentina" on Seaside Street). One of the goals of this Blog, was to include some of the names that were left out. This eloquent Remembrance certainly shows why Mario's name should have been included in the 'La Nostra Costa Story'. ivn0
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