Stelio
and Eva Manfredi
Artifacts can be read like historical documents. The story of
Stelio and Eva Manfredi began when the library received the photograph
below:.
Research reveals that the Towne House Restaurant and Tavern was
operating in Madera by 1952 under the joint ownership of Stelio
J. Manfredi and Julius M. Dominici.The
Polk Directory for 1952-3 shows that it was located at
106 North F Street (now Gateway Avenue), and in 1955 at 323 North
F Street. Manfredi and Dominici purchased the business from Paul
and Robert Stefanelli1, who
previously ran the Towne Cafe (106 North F St.) and the Towne
Club (110 North F Street) (1948 Polk Directory).
Stelio J. Manfredi was the son of Italian immigrants, Giovanni
Manfredi (born 1888) and Elisa Novalina (born 23 April 1887-died
18 July 1966). Stelio was born on 1 November 1915, and had two
sisters, Elena and Adriana.
Giovanni Manfredi sailed from Le Havre, France on 13 August
1910 on the ship S.S. Touraine, and arrived in New York
on 22 August 1910. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
show that Giovanni traveled with a relative, Cesare Manfredi2,
and that their final destination was Madera. Before he left Italy,
Giovanni had been living in Reggio
nell'Emilia. It is not clear when Stelio's
mother, Elisa, came to the United States, but during her husband's
absence she was living in a small village called Villa
Minozzo.
S.S. Touraine
Stelio, a native son of Madera, was much respected
in the community as the tribute read
in the United States Congress testifies. Stelio married Eva Delores
Farinelli.They were married for 66 years. Eva was born in Madera
on 21 January 1914 of Italian parents, Benvenuto Farinelli and
Lucia Baraldi.
The Farinellis and the Baraldis emigrated to the
United States on the same ship, the SS Montevideo, which
sailed from Genoa, Italy on 21 July 1905, and arrived in New York
on 10 August 1905. It appears that the 20 year old Benvenuto met
his future wife, Lucia, during the voyage and fell in love. Benvenuto
came with his parents Sebastiano and Maria, and his siblings,
Andrea and Antonio. Lucia came with her parents Pietro and Maria
Rosa, and her siblings, Bortolo and Ellore.
Eva's father was born on June 10 1885 in Portomaggiore.
Her mother's family came from nearby Ferrara.
S.S. Montevideo
Eva died on February 12, 2006. Her obituary was
published in the Fresno Bee on 2/15/2006. It reads:
Eva Manfredi was born on January 21, 1914,
and passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2006, in MaderaCA. She
was 92 years old. Eva was born and raised in Madera and attended
local schools. She was a devoted member of St. Joachim's Catholic
Church. She was also a member of the Italian Catholic Federation,
Sons of Italy, Italo American Club Auxiliary, St. Joachim's Altar
Society, VFW Auxiliary and Young Ladies Institute. Eva and her
husband were co-owners of the Towne House, a local restaurant.
Later, she was employed as a hostess for Lucca's Restaurant in
Madera. Eva was known to all that knew her as a loving, compassionate,
and considerate person who gave so much of herself to others and
expected so little in return. Her faith in God and her love for
her family were the most important things in her life. She was
a loving wife, mom, noni and auntie, and her memory will always
be cherished. Her brother, Albert P. Farinelli, preceded her in
death. Eva is survived by Stelio Manfredi of Madera, her beloved
husband of 66 years. She is also survived by her son, Stell Manfredi
and his wife Patty of Madera and their children, Tasha Garlick
and her husband Bill of Madera, Mia Manfredi of Wichita, KS, and
Michelle Hunter and her husband Scott of Livingston CA; and her
son, Ron Manfredi and his wife Betty of Madera and their children,
Erin Thurman and her husband Todd of Sacramento, Seth, Adam and
Kaylea Manfredi. Three great-grandchildren, Kambria and Tyner
Thurman and Mitch Hunter and many loving nieces and nephews also
survive her. Visitation will be held at Jay Chapel on Thursday,
February 16, 2006, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Holy Rosary
will be recited on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Jay Chapel in Madera.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joachim's
Catholic Church on Friday, February 17, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. Entombment
will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Madera. The family requests
that remembrances may be made to St. Joachim's Catholic Church
Building Fund, Madera Community Hospital or to the donor's favorite
charity.
Eva Delores Manfredi
Stelio John
Manfredi Obituary
Home: Madera, CA Place of Birth: Madera,
CA
Date of Death: May 17, 2010 Birthdate: November 1, 1915
Age: 94
Funeral Service: Friday, May 21, 2010 11:00 AM St. Joachim
Catholic Church, Madera, CA
Visitation: Thursday, May 20, 2010 02:00 P.M. to 7:00
P.M. at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA with a Rosary following
at 7 PM in the Chapel.
Interment: Calvary Mausoleum, Madera, CA
Stelio Manfredi Memorial Tribute
Biography
To view the Funeral Service for Stelio Manfredi please
click on the following link:
Funeral Service for Stelio Manfredi
Stelio Manfredi was born on November 1, 1915 and passed
away May 17, 2010 in Fresno, California. He was 94 years
old. Stelio was born and raised in Madera, California.
He attended Howard Grammar School and Madera Union High
School. He was a first generation American of Italian
immigrant parents. He was married to Eva Farinelli Manfredi
in 1939 for 67 years until her death in 2006. Stelio was
a devoted member of the St. Joachim's Catholic Church,
serving as a daily epistle reader at Mass for over twenty
years, frequent cross bearer at funerals, and in his younger
years devoted countless hours to church functions and
organizations.
He was also a member of the Young Men's Institute (YMI)
and past president (1942), YMI Man of the Year in 1993;
Italian Benevolent Society; Elks Lodge (1952); Exchange
Club past President 1960; Democratic Central Committee;
Italo American Club (Board of Directors); Sons of Italy;
St. Vincent DePaul Society; and in 1996 received a Papal
acknowledgement for Catholic activities.
Upon the death of his father he had to leave high school
in 1930 to help support his mother and two younger sisters.
Sixty-nine years later, in 1999, at the age of 83 he accomplished
one of his goals to receive his High School General Education
Diploma.
Stelio labored in the local fields as a young teenager,
worked at the Madera Grocery Consumer Corporation, was
a Bottling Room Foreman, (1937) at Mission Bell Winery;
Co-owner of the Towne House lounge and restaurant (1949-1964);
and a Foreman at United Vintners Winery, (1964-1977).
After retirement he worked for twenty years as a part-time
bartender at Lucca's restaurant finally retiring in 1998.
Stelio was active and faithful in his church. In later
years he and his wife traveled throughout the United States
and Europe. He and Eva enjoyed dancing together and seldom
missed a chance at this activity, especially at the Italo
American Club functions. He loved watching football, was
a wonderful gardener generously sharing the fruits of
his labor, as well as the beautiful flowers that he bestowed
to so many. But, most of all, he was passionate with love
for his entire family.
Stelio was a prime example of a first generation American
who raised a family on very little income, worked hard,
practiced his faith, and was a good American contributing
to the betterment of his community. He was proud of his
heritage and remained devoted to his family and wife throughout
his life.
Stelio is survived by his two sons, Stell Manfredi and
his wife, Patty, of Madera, and their children, Tasha
Garlick and her husband, Bill of Madera; Mia Manfredi
of Wichita, KS; Michele Hunter and her husband Scott,
of Atwater, Ca; and Michael Logoluso and his wife Kristi
of Fresno; Stelio's son Ron Manfredi and his wife, Betty
of Madera, and their children, Erin Buhler, and her husband,
Todd of Sacramento, CA. and Seth, Adam and Kaylea Manfredi,
all of Madera. Nine great-grandchildren, Kambria and Tyner
Buhler, Latigo, Bay and Ryde Garlick, Mitch and Zach Hunter,
and Macy and Morgan Logoluso. Also surviving are his sisters
Elena Pascarella and her husband Jim of La Mesa, CA; Adrianna
Brown, cousin Ada Cavalleo, sister in-law Dorothy Farinelli,
all of Madera, and many loving nieces and nephews. His
loving and very beautiful wife, Eva, preceded him in death.
Stelio and Eva will now be united for eternity.
Visitation will be held at Jay Chapel on Thursday, May
20, 2010 from 2 to 7 PM. The rosary will be recited on
Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM at Jay Chapel in Madera.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joachim's
Catholic Church on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM. Entombment
will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Madera.
The family requests that remembrances may be made to
St. Joachim's Catholic Church Building Fund, Madera Community
Hospital or to the donor's favorite charity.
|
1 Paul (1911-1981) and Robert (1913-2000)
were brothers. Paul married Dorothy Arline Branson of Madera on
16 Feb 1935.
2 Cesare Manfredi had been living
in Marseille, France with his father, Louis Manfredi.
|
