IVANO SAYS: The below article on the death of Robert "Big Boy" Staganaro was first pubished in the Santa Cruz Sentinel: www.santacruzsentinel.com
Icon of Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, Robert Stagnaro, dies at 83
SANTA CRUZ — A longtime restaurant manager and fixture at the Santa Cruz
Municipal Wharf, Robert Armand “Big Boy” Stagnaro, died Friday morning at his
home in Santa Cruz. He was 83.
Stagnaro was the youngest of 13 children and began working at the wharf as a
boy. He later co-founded Malio's restaurant — which the family sold in 1979 —
and Gilda's restaurant, which he helped manage until a recent illness.
Laura Paz, one of Stagnaro's five children, said Friday that her father died
from congestive heart failure and other complications. He had been in the
Hospice of Santa Cruz County in Scotts Valley for about six months.
The well-known Stagnaro family has roots on the wharf back to the 1870s, and
family members Friday said they fielded many calls of condolences.
“We really appreciate all the support from everybody,” Paz said. “We're so
overwhelmed right now. We just want to give a heartfelt thanks to Santa Cruz
County for loving our dad so much.”
Robert Stagnaro was born in 1928 at Hanley Hospital, which once stood on West
Cliff Drive near Cowell Beach. Born prematurely at roughly 1 1/2 pounds, a nurse
at the hospital jested what a “big boy” he was.
The nickname stuck. From there, Robert's young life revolved around the
wharf.
Robert drove a “saltwater taxi” from the wharf to sport fishing boats. He
also worked as a fish seller and made seafood deliveries across the region.
“He grew up in the family's fishing business,” said Geoffrey Dunn, Robert's
nephew and godson.
“He tried to be upbeat and joyous as much as possible. Like all the Italians
on the wharf, he could occasionally get agitated, but for me he was always a
steady hand.”
During the Korean War, Robert served in the U.S. Navy. He also helped build
Miramar Naval Air Station near San Diego and was honorably discharged in 1954,
his family said.
He married Joan Brookman and had three boys and two girls. Joan died in
1988.
“My dad just loved people and he loved Santa Cruz, his hometown,” said Leta
Stagnaro, one of his daughters.
He later co-founded Malio's restaurant on the wharf, which he ran with sister
Yolanda “Lindy” Stagnaro Dunn. Robert later co-managed Gilda's Restaurant, named
for his sister.
Gilda's is part of C. Stagnaro Fishing Co., which is not connected to the
Stagnaro Bros. Seafood Inc., also on the wharf.
As a fan of Bing Crosby, big band tunes often wafted through the restaurants
around Christmas, his family said. Robert had a valuable Bing Crosby collection
that included photos and rare vinyl recordings.
He met Crosby at events in Pebble Beach and occasionally gave Bing Crosby
presentations at schools. Robert also was a longtime fan of the New York
Yankees.
“He had a beautiful life,” said Robert's sister, Lindy Stagnaro Dunn. She
turns 97 on Sunday.
She added that Robert was fortunate to pass away as he wanted — at home with
his family.
“It seems strange that he's gone and I'm still here.”
Geoffrey Dunn said Robert was like a second father to him.
“He and his wife and his cousins always provided me with a sanctuary all my
life. I was with him on Wednesday and he grabbed my hand and didn't want me to
leave,” Geoffrey Dunn said. “He told me how much he loved me.”
Robert is survived by his sister and five children: Malio Stagnaro, William
Stagnaro, Robert “Dino” Stagnaro, Leta Stagnaro and Laura Paz.
A public visitation is planned for 2-7 p.m. Thursday at Benito & Azzaro
Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. in Santa Cruz.
Follow Sentinel reporter Stephen Baxter on Twitter @sbaxter_sc
ROBERT ‘BIG BOY' STAGNARO
BORN: July 16, 1928
DIED: May 25, 2012
OCCUPATION: Co-manager of Gilda's Restaurant, co-founder of Malio's
Restaurant, both on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
EDUCATION: Santa Cruz High School, class of 1946
MILITARY SERVICE: U.S. Navy 3rd Class aviation storekeeper. Honorably
discharged in 1954.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Former president of the Santa Cruz Host Lions Club
SURVIVORS: Sister, Yolanda ‘Lindy' Stagnaro Dunn; children, Malio Stagnaro,
William Stagnaro, Robert ‘Dino' Stagnaro, Leta Stagnaro and Laura Paz.
SERVICES: A public visitation will be 2-7 p.m. Thursday at Benito &
Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. in Santa Cruz.
Addio Robert, until we met again across "Il Ultimo Ponte" (The Last Bridge).
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