Ernest J. Mazza
Army veteran, devoted to his family
Ernest J. Mazza, 86, of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Canonsburg and Bethel Park, died Monday, August 5, 2013, in Florida.
He was born April 4, 1927, in Houston, a son of John and Mary Oliver Mazza.
Mr. Mazza was a 1945 graduate of Chartiers High School and a graduate of Penn Commercial.
He worked for Prudential Insurance Company from 1955, until his retirement in 1989, as district manager.
Mr. Mazza was a member of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Vero Beach and had been a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Meadow Lands and St. Germaine in Bethel Park.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army.
Mr. Mazza was a member of Vero Beach American Legion Post 39 and the Italian American Club.
On August 27, 1949, he married Irene Ann Tokar, who was the center of his life for 64 years.
He was devoted to his family. He loved golf, spaghetti and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Surviving are his wife, Irene; three children, Ernest D. Mazza of Vero Beach, Kenneth J. Mazza of Baltimore, Md., and Susan K. Mazza (Arnold Laguardia) of Delmar, Calif.; two grandchildren, Monica Breitenbach (Ben) of Atsugi, Japan, and Anthony Mazza (Kelsey DeSimone) of Baltimore, Md.; two great-grandchildren, Rosalie Valentine Breitenbach and Harper Elisabeth Mazza; three brothers, Victor Mazza (Jean) of Washington, Patrick Mazza of Vero Beach and Melvin Guzzo (Hope) of Ocala, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a daughter, Lisa Ann Mazza; an aunt and uncle, Frank and Rose Oliver Guzzo, who helped raise him following the death of his mother at a young age; four brothers, Samuel and Peter Mazza and John and Pat Guzzo; and three sisters, Rose Mazza, Constance Mazza and Teresa DeAngelis.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 21, in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands. Local arrangements entrusted to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, 724-745-2350. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.