ADDIO EUGENIO "LARRY" DITANO

Larry Ditano and his wife Josephine as I will always remember them. (Photo courtesy of Diane Bianconi.)  Addio Larry, until we meet again across  "Il Ultimo Ponte" (The Last Bridge).

IVANO SAYS: THE BELOW REMEMBRANCE OF LARRY DITANO WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL: www.santacruzsentinel.com





Eugenio "Larry" DiTano passed away on September 29, 2012 at his Santa Cruz home, at the age of 84. Eugenio was born in Pieve San Paolo, Italy, the son of Guiseppe and Teresa (Pelli) DiTano. He grew up in Italy and came to the United States in 1950 as a young man. He spent a short time in Sacramento with his cousin before moving to Santa Cruz. He spent his life working on the north coast near Davenport as a carpenter for Pacific Cement and Aggregates which later became Lonestar, and also on the ranches of Louis Poletti and others as a carpenter, electrician etc. fixing anything needing repair. He became a Naturalized Citizen in 1958. Eugenio retired from Lonestar in 1984.
Eugenio was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and numerous other organizations. He was a life member of the Santa Cruz Elks Club, a member of Italian Catholic Federation, Sons of Italy, Marconi Club and 40 Thieves. He was also a member of the Davenport Volunteer Fire Department where he served as chief and helped to start the Davenport Fire Rescue. Larry was well known throughout the community as an active and willing volunteer. He could always be counted on to cook at the countless barbecues and dinners put on by the organizations he was a member of. He also volunteered his time fund raising for Santa Cruz High and Soquel High's Band He was an avid fan of the 49'ers, the Giants and the Sharks and he especially enjoyed youth athletics.
He is survived by his daughter, Marlene George and her husband David of Santa Cruz and his son, Michael DiTano and his wife Joelene of Santa Cruz; three brothers, Reno DiTano of Italy, Italo DiTano and Mario DiTano both of San Francisco; He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Allison George, Christopher George, Adam George, Brian George and Kevin DiTano. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine DiTano in 2004.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church 126 High St., Santa Cruz, CA on Monday October 8, 2012 at 11:00 am. A Vigil will be held at Holy Cross Church on Sunday evening at 6:00 pm. Visitation will be at Holy Cross Church on Sunday from 3:00 pm until service time. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery 2271 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Santa Cruz High School Athletic Foundation, 415 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.



IVANO SAYS: (CONT'D):  Larry  was a very  good  friend and a Brother Elk.  When I was Exalted Ruler at the Santa Cruz Elks (1979-80), Larry was always there to help me out with his Barbeques.  I couldn't  have done it without you, Larry.  I will miss you old friend.