Mario Panzarella |
| Posted 2023-02-06 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News Herald on Feb. 5, 2023 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Mario Panzarella 84, died peacefully at his home in Lake Havasu City on Jan. 21, 2023. Mario was born in Corleone, Sicily on Sept. 20, 1938 to Leo & Giovanna Panzarella. He resided there with his parents, four brothers Nino, Carmen, Frank and Gino, and baby sister Silvana, until immigrating to The United States in 1952. The family lived in Peekskill, New York where he met Frances Carpenter. They married and shortly after moved to California. Together Mario and Fran raised three children while building a successful auto repair business. As a family, they enjoyed camping, dune buggy riding, traveling, auto racing and spending time with friends and family. They later divorced and Mario married Jan Hurt. After selling Mario's Foreign Car Repair, they relocated to Lake Havasu City, where he designed his custom home and dream shop. Retirement didn't agree with him and he soon purchased Lakeland Marine. A few years later, he sold his half of that business, 'retired' again and he and Jan divorced. Mario continued working every day in his garage at home. He had a passion for VW's & Porsche's and was a carburetion expert. Mario married Linda Fuscardo on Feb. 15, 2004. Together they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, racing, and watching TV. Mario loved to watch Fox News and old Westerns. Family was a priority to Mario. He enjoyed visits, phone calls and even texts from his grandkids. Becoming an American citizen was one of the biggest highlights of his life. He was "proud to be an American." Mario is survived by his wife Linda, sons Leo (Andrea) and Jim, daughter Gina (Scott) Simanton, stepson Scott, stepdaughter Renee (Richie) Hudson, 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one on the way, brothers-in-law Sal Lunetto, Joe, Jim and John Van Cleave, mother in- law, Barbara Van Cleave and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. No services in Arizona are planned. Services were entrusted to the care of Lietz Fraze Funeral Home. |
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