Arthur A. Mazza, 77, of Tarpon Springs, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, in the loving care of Hospice, Bay Pines Veterans Health Care System.
He was born on May 11, 1933 in Newark, NJ and came to this area from West Caldwell, NJ, in 1960. Mr. Mazza proudly served his country in the US Army from 1953-55, based in Japan. He was a skilled machinist and was employed by Sperry, Honeywell, and Fairchild Hilliard Aircraft in the Tampa Bay Area, and other manufacturing companies in the Cape Canaveral area. He enjoyed roller-blade skating, biking, sailing and staying physically fit. He was a devout Christian whose faith was paramount in his life and he worked in support of various Christian organizations and activities. During his retirement years he built and refurbished many bicycles and other mechanisms and donated them to charities and local children and friends.
He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. His parents, Samuel and Leonora Mazza, brothers Salvatore and Phillip, preceded him in death. Survivors include sisters, Josephine Robinson (John), Tarpon Springs, Natalie Adkins (Bill), Largo, Ellen Smith (Vern), Odessa, Dottie Waters, Palm Harbor, and Linda Terry (Jim), Largo, brothers, Robert Mazza, Largo, Carl Mazza, New Port Richey, and Richard Mazza, Sarasota, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on January 11, 2011, 10:45am, at Bay Pines National Cemetery. Chaplain Dan Hummer will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bay Pines Hospice. Checks should be made to “VMAC Bay Pines GPF 1086” and sent to “Bay Pines, VMAC; Hospice Unit, Ward 4B; P.O. Box 5005; Bay Pines, Florida 33744”.
Arthur, we were glad to help you out when you made the big move from Merritt Island to Tarpon Springs, in September 2001. None of the family got to see you very often while you lived in the Cape Canaveral area for so many years. But we all did enjoy it when you came to our many family holiday get-togethers. We will miss your Sunday visits and our many interesting discussions. May God take good care of you in Heaven? Love always to our “Wootsie”, from Josie
Arthur, at last you are going home to meet your Saviour and begin the journey of internal life of rest and peace. At last you will have no more pain or suffering. We wish you a joyful journey and we are certainly going to miss your presence hear on earth. Love, from your brother-in-law John.
We are very sorry for your loss.
Memories of your years of childhood,love and friendship are treasures to keep with you always. The time you have had together the past several months are a special gift. When God calls us home, he leaves these gifts for us to hold on to, to revisit. Let your memories of Arthur and your time together guide you. Sadness and sorrow are fleeting emotions, while memories are a legacy of love. When you are sitting in the stillness recalling your memories of days gone by,pull a withdrawal from your Memory Bank, they will be there and you can pull them around you like a quilt of warmth and feel his presence with you. He is not alone, just remember. one day we will all be reunited in eternity. He has a new body now, no more pain only Peace~Grace, Our love, Emmett and Lola
You all have our deepest symthathy in the passing of your brother. He will be in our prayers.
We wish we knew the perfect thing to say right now. We can only tell you that you’re all special to us and that you are in our thoughts and prayers now more than ever..May you find strength in your memories….You have our deepest sympathy…Love to you all……Natalie
“Brother Aurthur,” “Mr. Aurthur,” “Arthur,” and “Art.” Thank you for touching all of our lives in such a unique way: I spoke with all of the children tonight during their evening prayers and they wanted to have me tell you the following at your showing: Thank you for being such a nice man, Thank you for comming to our store and helping us and thank you for the go-cart, bike, and scooter. You’re their guardian angel. All of them are sad that their father’s friend is gone but I told them that it is only a matter of time until all of our paths merge again – that we can still speak every night before bed and that you are in God’s hands now & forever. (Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it….) I am certain that you have found your way thru the darkeness, so sing praise to the Lord as Christ greets you at the gates of his father’s kingdom. God bless – you’ll be missed by many – my dear friend. Amen
These are some of the memories that Natalie shared at Arthur’s Funeral –
All of us have many memories of our brother Arthur, but most of all, I remember the wonderful letters he sent to us from the far off land of Japan when he served in the Army.
I also remember and enjoyed the colored “slides” he often sent. Mother would insert them in the projector with great anticipation! This inspired us to read and learn as much as we could about Japan.
When his army portrait arrived in the mail one would think he had sent my mother a million dollars! She was so proud and so excited, she showed all our neighbors her very handsome son in his Army dress uniform. She missed him dearly and wrote long letters to him almost every day.
One day a package was sent to us during the Christmas season, Arthur had sent me and my sisters red silk pajamas! Oh how we loved them! I don’t know if he ever realized how much that meant to us.
Arthur spent a lot of time outdoors, working and playing, and he loved nature, especially the Sea. – A great joy in his life was the twenty-one foot sailboat that he built – it was a beauty! Living on the East coast of Florida at that time, he spent many glorious days sailing the blue waters of Merritt Island.
After Arthur retired, he moved back to this area to be closer to his family. Although he was a confirmed bachelor, he loved seeing all of his many nieces and nephews at our frequent family gatherings. He was always reminding us to exercise, lose weight, and limit sugar in our diets.
Shortly after moving from Clearwater to Merritt Island, Arthur accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He developed a strong Christian faith and devoted the rest of his life to helping others, giving to several charities, attending various churches and “witnessing” for Christ. One of his pet projects was rebuilding used bicycles for many needy children and adults in the community.
We feel so fortunate to have had a brother like Arthur and felt privileged to have been able to spend time with him during his last days. He will live in our hearts forever.