Michele Mandara

Michele Mandara, 80, of Huguenot, a restaurant owner who is remembered as a devoted and hardworking family man, died Tuesday in Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan.

Born and raised in Positano, Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1971, moving to Howard Beach, Queens. He settled in Huguenot in 1996.

Mr. Mandara began his career working with his brother, Alfonso, at Gino's, a jointly owned pizzeria in Far Rockaway, Queens.

He later established four restaurants on Staten Island, including Villa Monte Pizzeria and Restaurant in New Springville, with his sons, Augusto and Antonino.

Mr. Mandara enjoyed gardening, playing cards and watching the Italian Napoli soccer team with his friends.

Family was an important part of his life. He often cooked Sunday dinners, and his family especially enjoyed his tomato sauce. He also made homemade wine, family said.

Mr. Mandara was a parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Huguenot.

His wife of 54 years, Maria, died in 2013.

Surviving, along with his brother, Alfonso, and his sons, Augusto and Antonino, are his brother, Salvatore; his sisters, Teresa Criscuolo and Filomena Cinque, and five grandchildren.

The funeral will be Friday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Huguenot. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Services: Our Lady Star of the Sea RC Church Friday, October 17, 2014 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Thursday, October 16, 2014 2-4 & 7-9PM

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions to Dr. Raja M. Flores' Research Fund for Mesothelioma 1190 5th Avenue Box 1023 New York, New York 10029, in Michele's name would be appreciated.

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C.Church