Anthony Manzella

Tony Manzella was born in Palermo, Italy in 1948. He and his family migrated to the U.S. in 1958. They started out in Michigan and later settled in Chicago, Illinois. Tony started making pizza when he was 13 and owned his own restaurant in the city of Chicago at 21 years of age. Shortly after opening the restaurant he hired a new part-time waitress named Rosalie. Tony and Rosalie fell in love after working together just a short time. In 1970, just a year later they were married and became soul mates forever. They have two children Jennifer and Tony Jr. In September 2020 Tony and Rosalie celebrated 50 years of marriage.

In 1978, The Manzella’s relocated to Placentia, California and opened the doors to Tony’s Little Italy Pizza and introduced California to authentic Chicago style deep dish pizza. Almost 43 years later…our family will carry on his legacy and proudly continue serving the city of Placentia.

Tony passed away on February 9th, 2021 of a massive heart attack doing what he loved and where he loved on what happened to be National Pizza Day! He was a Loving Husband to Rosalie, Father to Jennifer and Tony Jr. and proud Papa to Jake, Taylor and Sophia. Son to (late) Domiano and Vincenza Manzella, he was one of eight children, brother to Sam (Maria), Phyllis (Anthony), Vito (Fanina), Connie (Ernest), Dominic, Joseph & James. Surviving father in law Robert Borbely and (late) mother in law Rose Borbely, brother in law to (late) Robert, Regina (Albert). Elizabeth, Vincent (Kathy), John, Kristine (Lloyd), Robbin (Christopher) and Loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He will be missed tremendously by family, the customers he served, and all who knew him.

Mass Honoring Tony Manzella will be on Monday March 8, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia, California at 1030 AM. Burial immediately following at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange, California. In Lieu of flowers you may make memorial contributions to St. Jude Shrine.