Edwin Mazzanti, 94, passed away on May 24, 2018. He was born June 25, 1923 in Lake Village, Arkansas to the late Joseph and Adella Mazzanti, the fifth of eleven children. Edwin was predeceased by his wife of 33 years, Dorothy Mazzanti. He is also predeceased by his sisters Dell Mazzanti, Sr. Concetta Mazzanti, Margaret Aguzzi and brothers Mike, Italo, Valentine, and Joseph Mazzanti, Jr.
Left to cherish his memory are 2 daughters, Nancy Mazzanti and Linda Bruso; son Edwin Jr. and wife Ellen Mazzanti, grand-daughter Christal and husband Bruce Rausch, grandsons Stephen and wife Jen Bruso, Brian Mazzanti and wife Monika Harlan, and great-grandsons Charles Rausch, Robert Rausch, Edwin Rausch, Dominic Mazzanti, and Charles Jason Bruso. He is also survived by his sisters Lena Mazzanti of North LIttle Rock, AR, Catherine and her husband Joe DiStritto of Plant City, FL, and brother Pete and his wife, Nell Mazzanti of Laurel, MS, sister-in-law Virginia Jenkins of King George Co, VA, brother-in-law Joe Aguzzi of Cleveland, MS, and 37 nieces and nephews.
Edwin and Dorothy had much in common as both came from farming families of eleven children. He very much loved his large family and treasured his time visiting in both Lake Village, AR and King George County, VA.
Edwin joined the US Navy in August 1941 and arrived at his first duty station on the U.S.S. King (DD 242) in Mare Island, San Francisco, shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor. With the USS King, he participated in anti-submarine patrols, escort duties, and the bombardment at Kiska in the Aleutian Islands. He was commended for bravey while serving on the SS Dodd following a collision with another vessel. He later served on the cruiser USS Macon (CA-132) during the Pacific Campaign. Following WWII, he served on the USS Snohomish County (LST 1126), USS Wahkiakum (LST 1162), USS Des Moines (CA 134), USS Pitt (APA 223), USS Capricornus (AKA 57), and the USS Union (USS AKA 106). He was promoted to Chief Gunners Mate and completed his career in the Navy as a gunnery instructor at the Amphibious Operations Training Unit, Little Creek, VA in 1963. He was very proud of his service in the U.S. Navy, especially as a WWII Veteran.
Upon retiring from the Navy, Edwin was a letter carrier in Aragona Village for twenty years. He was well known and liked by the families he served, many remembering him fondly years after. In retirement, Edwin enjoyed many friendships from ballroom dancing and traveled extensively with his good friend Rita Berry. He volunteered for several years with Meals on Wheels and was an usher at St Gregory the Great Catholic Church.
Edwin was resident at Marion Manor and Our Lady of Perpetual Help during the past six years. The family wishes to thank the staffs of both facilities for their outstanding and loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association at Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Help, http://act.alz.org/site/TR?pxfid=474908&pg=fund&fr_id=1060
