Anthony "Tony" Albert Mandola Jr.

Tony was born in Houston, Texas, to parents (the late) Grace and Tony Mandola, Sr. He is survived by Phyllis and their children Tommy Mandola (wife, Emelia), Sophia Mandola, and Gabriella “Bebe” Tindall (husband, Kenton).

Their circle of siblings and loved ones include Margaret Ann and Rocco Vallone, Rose and John Carrabba, Mary Virginia and the late Vincent Mandola, Damian and Trina Mandola, Roland and Blanca Laurenzo, the late Jack Laurenzo, Tommy and Gina Laurenzo, Gino and Mary Laurenzo, and Maria Piccirilli.

Tony was beloved “Papoo” to grandchildren Grace Mandola, Roman Bramlett, Aveline “Ave” Bramlett, and Sebastian Anthony Tindall. Papoo’s step grandchildren are Nora Garcia, Doren Garcia, and Caren Garcia. Adored godchildren include Andrew Aasletten, Dani Audas, Danielle Berg, Marissa Hromadka, Zachariah Jamail, Jimmy Laurenzo, Lena Laurenzo, Ninfa O. Laurenzo, and Lee Russell. Tony will be greatly missed by his numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and other loved ones from the Mandola, Laurenzo, Rodriguez, Santos, and Castaneda families.

A graduate of Austin High School, Tony was also named an honorary graduate of St. Thomas High School. He was a proud alumnus of Sam Houston State University. As a young man, Tony was a Golden Gloves of America Champion in the middle weight category, and an avid golfer throughout his life. His son Tommy recollects that if he wasn’t working at his restaurant, Tony could certainly be found engrossed in a game of golf.

Tony liked to joke that he and Phyllis never met. They simply grew up together as part of a close-knit group of friends that included lifelong comrade Jack Laurenzo, and a multitude of other siblings and acquaintances from the neighborhood.

Tony and Phyllis married in 1974 and opened their first restaurant, Blue Oyster Bar, in 1982. Together they later operated Tony Mandola’s Gulf Coast Kitchen, a Houston restaurant legend known for deliciously blending Italian cuisine and Gulf Coast seafood. The couple come from a long lineage of Houston restaurant royalty. Tony hailed from the Mandola restaurant dynasty and Phyllis is the daughter of the late restaurateur Maria “Mama Ninfa” Laurenzo and Domenic Thomas Laurenzo.

Tony will be forever cherished for his countless beautiful qualities. He had an unmatched capacity for storytelling and could bring down the house with a good joke. He will be best remembered for his way of bringing people together around a table of delicious food and flavorful wine. Engaging family, friends, and his beloved staff to break bread was his happiest place. Tony had a magnetic energy and warmth that drew people close. To know Tony personally and professionally was to be a part of his loving orbit and a member of his enormous family.

Tony was a man of deep faith, respectful of all people and cultures. He valued heritage and tradition. He loved being a lifelong Houstonian and proudly served on the Steer Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. As a member of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Development Board, he helped raise millions of dollars for inner city Catholic schools. He was also a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

A little-known fact about Tony is that not only did he love music, but he also had a beautiful singing voice. Those who were fortunate to share inspired moments with him enjoyed this talent, along with his wit and intellect.

Tony’s favorite saying was, “It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.” Because he lived by this simple motto, Tony’s memory will be permanently engraved in our hearts.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, at St. Theresa Catholic Church (6622 Haskell Street, Houston, TX 77007). A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 17 at St. Theresa Catholic Church (6622 Haskell Street, Houston, TX 77007).

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Tony’s nephews: Jeff Thomas, Johnny Carrabba, Martin Cruse, Peter Corbett, Damian Mandola Jr., Domenic Mandola, Nino Mandola, Clayton Hromadka, Domenic Laurenzo, Dante Laurenzo, Joey Laurenzo, Aldo Laurenzo, and Carlo Laurenzo.

Honorary pallbearers are Mark Berg, Guy Clifton, Nash D’Amico, Louis Ditta, Chuck Fontenot, Julio Fuentes, Jerry Herrera, Bart Laurenzo, Gino Laurenzo, Jimmy Laurenzo, Julian Laurenzo, Nick Laurenzo, Wally Mallay, Matt McKenna, Ike Nwanonyiri, Aldegundo Rodriguez, Harry Romans, Miguel Saucedo, Jacob Tal, and Johnny Whitright.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Tony Mandola’s name be directed to the Ninfa Laurenzo Scholarship Fund at https://www.tnlsfhouston.org.