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Artifacts can be read like historical documents.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

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.