Friday 3 May 1985 Santa Cruz Sentinel, Page One
Restaurant Owner Mary Carniglia Dies
By Joan Raymond, Sentinel Staff Writer
Capitola - Mary P. Carniglia, an Italian immigrant who brought devotion and enlightenment to her Santa Cruz family, church, and community, died Thursday in a convalescent home. She was 85.
The mother of seven children, Mrs. Carniglia was once called the "confessor consultant, midwife and mother to the local Italian community." Self-educated and fluent in several languages, she was an interpreter who help many immigrants to get their citizenship papers. An excellent cook -- in the home, at church and civic affairs, and in the family restaurants -- Mrs. Carniglia did not shy from giving a free meal to those in need.
"She was about the most unselfish woman I ever met. Everything was for her family and her friends," said local historical writer Skip Littlefield. Mrs. Carniglia was the wife of the late Marco Carniglia Sr. Together they ran the family commercial fishing, fish market, and restaurant businesses on the wharf for many years.
They were both well-known members of the Santa Cruz Italian immigrant fishing community from Genoa.
Mrs. Carniglia cooked at the former Ernest's Grotto on the Municipal Wharf before buying it and changing the name to The Mirimar. Later she ran the Riviera Restaurant on Pacific Avenue until her retirement in 1959. In 1970 the Santa Cruz Sons of Italy Lodge named her the "Woman of the
Year."
Two years earlier, at the age of 70, Mrs. Carniglia was awarded a medal at Sestri Levante, Italy, for her work in liberating Italians from detention camps and helping Italian sailors return to their homes during the World War II years.
She was the mother of two sets of twins, Augustine Bregante, who lives in Santa Cruz nd the late August "Jocko" Carniglia, and Victor and Virgil Carniglia, both of Santa Cruz.
The other surviving children are John Carniglia and Lorraine Canepa, both of Santa Cruz. Another son, Marco Carniglia Jr., died. Mrs. Carniglia had suffered failing health for about the past year. She was
living on Bay Street in Santa Cruz until entering the nursing home, about five months ago, said a family spokesman.
A native of Riva Trigoso, she had come to America as a baby with her parents, Giovanni Begante and Maria Stagnaro. They lived in San Francisco, but moved to Santa Cruz after the 1906 Earthquake.
She obtained an education in Santa Cruz and was known for taking immigrants to the courthouse to help them obtain their citizenship papers. Her reputation as an outstanding cook was known thoughout the state.
The commendation from Sestri Levante for her charitable work in World War II read: "She never forgot her country."
She was honored for helping 250 Italians who had been detained in the U.S. during the war.
Mrs. Carniglia was a member of Holy Cross Church, past president and charter member of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 21, Stella Del Mar Druidess, [and] Sons of Italy.
For many years she was the [?] organizer for the St. Joseph festival and other local charity events.
In 1968, she was honored again in Italy with an International Women's award given to those who have donated their time and money to aid others.
She is survived by two sisters, Louise Guidici and Alma Rapalli; 12 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Church. A rosary will be recited at the church [at] 7 p.m. Sunday.
Visitations may be made to Norman's Family Chapel, 3620 Soquel Dr., Soquel, from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Entombment will be at the IOOF Mausoleum.
Restaurant Owner Mary Carniglia Dies
By Joan Raymond, Sentinel Staff Writer
Capitola - Mary P. Carniglia, an Italian immigrant who brought devotion and enlightenment to her Santa Cruz family, church, and community, died Thursday in a convalescent home. She was 85.
The mother of seven children, Mrs. Carniglia was once called the "confessor consultant, midwife and mother to the local Italian community." Self-educated and fluent in several languages, she was an interpreter who help many immigrants to get their citizenship papers. An excellent cook -- in the home, at church and civic affairs, and in the family restaurants -- Mrs. Carniglia did not shy from giving a free meal to those in need.
"She was about the most unselfish woman I ever met. Everything was for her family and her friends," said local historical writer Skip Littlefield. Mrs. Carniglia was the wife of the late Marco Carniglia Sr. Together they ran the family commercial fishing, fish market, and restaurant businesses on the wharf for many years.
They were both well-known members of the Santa Cruz Italian immigrant fishing community from Genoa.
Mrs. Carniglia cooked at the former Ernest's Grotto on the Municipal Wharf before buying it and changing the name to The Mirimar. Later she ran the Riviera Restaurant on Pacific Avenue until her retirement in 1959. In 1970 the Santa Cruz Sons of Italy Lodge named her the "Woman of the
Year."
Two years earlier, at the age of 70, Mrs. Carniglia was awarded a medal at Sestri Levante, Italy, for her work in liberating Italians from detention camps and helping Italian sailors return to their homes during the World War II years.
She was the mother of two sets of twins, Augustine Bregante, who lives in Santa Cruz nd the late August "Jocko" Carniglia, and Victor and Virgil Carniglia, both of Santa Cruz.
The other surviving children are John Carniglia and Lorraine Canepa, both of Santa Cruz. Another son, Marco Carniglia Jr., died. Mrs. Carniglia had suffered failing health for about the past year. She was
living on Bay Street in Santa Cruz until entering the nursing home, about five months ago, said a family spokesman.
A native of Riva Trigoso, she had come to America as a baby with her parents, Giovanni Begante and Maria Stagnaro. They lived in San Francisco, but moved to Santa Cruz after the 1906 Earthquake.
She obtained an education in Santa Cruz and was known for taking immigrants to the courthouse to help them obtain their citizenship papers. Her reputation as an outstanding cook was known thoughout the state.
The commendation from Sestri Levante for her charitable work in World War II read: "She never forgot her country."
She was honored for helping 250 Italians who had been detained in the U.S. during the war.
Mrs. Carniglia was a member of Holy Cross Church, past president and charter member of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 21, Stella Del Mar Druidess, [and] Sons of Italy.
For many years she was the [?] organizer for the St. Joseph festival and other local charity events.
In 1968, she was honored again in Italy with an International Women's award given to those who have donated their time and money to aid others.
She is survived by two sisters, Louise Guidici and Alma Rapalli; 12 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Church. A rosary will be recited at the church [at] 7 p.m. Sunday.
Visitations may be made to Norman's Family Chapel, 3620 Soquel Dr., Soquel, from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Entombment will be at the IOOF Mausoleum.
Friday 3 May 1985 Santa Cruz Sentinel, Page One
Restaurant Owner Mary Carniglia Dies
By Joan Raymond, Sentinel Staff Writer
Capitola - Mary P. Carniglia, an Italian immigrant who brought devotion and enlightenment to her Santa Cruz family, church, and community, died Thursday in a convalescent home. She was 85.
The mother of seven children, Mrs. Carniglia was once called the "confessor consultant, midwife and mother to the local Italian community." Self-educated and fluent in several languages, she was an interpreter who help many immigrants to get their citizenship papers. An excellent cook -- in the home, at church and civic affairs, and in the family restaurants -- Mrs. Carniglia did not shy from giving a free meal to those in need.
"She was about the most unselfish woman I ever met. Everything was for her family and her friends," said local historical writer Skip Littlefield. Mrs. Carniglia was the wife of the late Marco Carniglia Sr. Together they ran the family commercial fishing, fish market, and restaurant businesses on the wharf for many years.
They were both well-known members of the Santa Cruz Italian immigrant fishing community from Genoa.
Mrs. Carniglia cooked at the former Ernest's Grotto on the Municipal Wharf before buying it and changing the name to The Mirimar. Later she ran the Riviera Restaurant on Pacific Avenue until her retirement in 1959. In 1970 the Santa Cruz Sons of Italy Lodge named her the "Woman of the
Year."
Two years earlier, at the age of 70, Mrs. Carniglia was awarded a medal at Sestri Levante, Italy, for her work in liberating Italians from detention camps and helping Italian sailors return to their homes during the World War II years.
She was the mother of two sets of twins, Augustine Bregante, who lives in Santa Cruz nd the late August "Jocko" Carniglia, and Victor and Virgil Carniglia, both of Santa Cruz.
The other surviving children are John Carniglia and Lorraine Canepa, both of Santa Cruz. Another son, Marco Carniglia Jr., died. Mrs. Carniglia had suffered failing health for about the past year. She was
living on Bay Street in Santa Cruz until entering the nursing home, about five months ago, said a family spokesman.
A native of Riva Trigoso, she had come to America as a baby with her parents, Giovanni Begante and Maria Stagnaro. They lived in San Francisco, but moved to Santa Cruz after the 1906 Earthquake.
She obtained an education in Santa Cruz and was known for taking immigrants to the courthouse to help them obtain their citizenship papers. Her reputation as an outstanding cook was known thoughout the state.
The commendation from Sestri Levante for her charitable work in World War II read: "She never forgot her country."
She was honored for helping 250 Italians who had been detained in the U.S. during the war.
Mrs. Carniglia was a member of Holy Cross Church, past president and charter member of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 21, Stella Del Mar Druidess, [and] Sons of Italy.
For many years she was the [?] organizer for the St. Joseph festival and other local charity events.
In 1968, she was honored again in Italy with an International Women's award given to those who have donated their time and money to aid others.
She is survived by two sisters, Louise Guidici and Alma Rapalli; 12 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Church. A rosary will be recited at the church [at] 7 p.m. Sunday.
Visitations may be made to Norman's Family Chapel, 3620 Soquel Dr., Soquel, from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Entombment will be at the IOOF Mausoleum.
Restaurant Owner Mary Carniglia Dies
By Joan Raymond, Sentinel Staff Writer
Capitola - Mary P. Carniglia, an Italian immigrant who brought devotion and enlightenment to her Santa Cruz family, church, and community, died Thursday in a convalescent home. She was 85.
The mother of seven children, Mrs. Carniglia was once called the "confessor consultant, midwife and mother to the local Italian community." Self-educated and fluent in several languages, she was an interpreter who help many immigrants to get their citizenship papers. An excellent cook -- in the home, at church and civic affairs, and in the family restaurants -- Mrs. Carniglia did not shy from giving a free meal to those in need.
"She was about the most unselfish woman I ever met. Everything was for her family and her friends," said local historical writer Skip Littlefield. Mrs. Carniglia was the wife of the late Marco Carniglia Sr. Together they ran the family commercial fishing, fish market, and restaurant businesses on the wharf for many years.
They were both well-known members of the Santa Cruz Italian immigrant fishing community from Genoa.
Mrs. Carniglia cooked at the former Ernest's Grotto on the Municipal Wharf before buying it and changing the name to The Mirimar. Later she ran the Riviera Restaurant on Pacific Avenue until her retirement in 1959. In 1970 the Santa Cruz Sons of Italy Lodge named her the "Woman of the
Year."
Two years earlier, at the age of 70, Mrs. Carniglia was awarded a medal at Sestri Levante, Italy, for her work in liberating Italians from detention camps and helping Italian sailors return to their homes during the World War II years.
She was the mother of two sets of twins, Augustine Bregante, who lives in Santa Cruz nd the late August "Jocko" Carniglia, and Victor and Virgil Carniglia, both of Santa Cruz.
The other surviving children are John Carniglia and Lorraine Canepa, both of Santa Cruz. Another son, Marco Carniglia Jr., died. Mrs. Carniglia had suffered failing health for about the past year. She was
living on Bay Street in Santa Cruz until entering the nursing home, about five months ago, said a family spokesman.
A native of Riva Trigoso, she had come to America as a baby with her parents, Giovanni Begante and Maria Stagnaro. They lived in San Francisco, but moved to Santa Cruz after the 1906 Earthquake.
She obtained an education in Santa Cruz and was known for taking immigrants to the courthouse to help them obtain their citizenship papers. Her reputation as an outstanding cook was known thoughout the state.
The commendation from Sestri Levante for her charitable work in World War II read: "She never forgot her country."
She was honored for helping 250 Italians who had been detained in the U.S. during the war.
Mrs. Carniglia was a member of Holy Cross Church, past president and charter member of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 21, Stella Del Mar Druidess, [and] Sons of Italy.
For many years she was the [?] organizer for the St. Joseph festival and other local charity events.
In 1968, she was honored again in Italy with an International Women's award given to those who have donated their time and money to aid others.
She is survived by two sisters, Louise Guidici and Alma Rapalli; 12 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Church. A rosary will be recited at the church [at] 7 p.m. Sunday.
Visitations may be made to Norman's Family Chapel, 3620 Soquel Dr., Soquel, from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Entombment will be at the IOOF Mausoleum.
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