Mario Pezzati
99 years old
Mario Pezzati passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family on August 19, 2026, at Sarah House in Santa Barbara, California.
Born June 18, 1927, to Mario Giacomo and Maddalena Giuseppina (Josephina) Pezzati in Santa Barbara, California. He attended local schools and Santa Barbara High School.
Mario joined the Merchant Marine before graduating from high school, where he served on merchant ships in the South Pacific towards the end of WWII. He returned to Santa Barbara to finish his high school degree. Shortly after earning his degree, he joined the Army. He was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. After finishing basic training, he was assigned to the Arctic Proving Ground in Barrow Alaska, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. His unit tested heavy artillery and survival equipment.
Mario returned to Santa Barbara to attend Santa Barbara Business School. In 1952 he met his future wife, Maura Donahoe. They were married at Our Lady of Sorrows in Santa Barbara on June 13, 1953. Shortly after, they moved to Paradise California and opened a hamburger and ice cream drive-in restaurant with friends, Vivian and Audrey Burris. In Paradise California they were blessed with five children.
In 1961, Mario became the manager of the first Sambo’s restaurant in Santa Rosa, California after he was trained by Sambo’s in Eugene, Oregon; Las Vegas, Nevada; and the original Sambo’s on Cabrillo Street in Santa Barbara, California. In 1968, he was transferred back to Santa Barbara to work for M & F Meat Packing Company, a division of Sambo’s. After retiring due to a worksite injury, they moved to Bakersfield, California in 1989 to be closer to their grandchildren.
Mario and Maura returned to Santa Barbara in 1997 to be with family and friends. They enjoyed traveling, going to Arnoldi’s Italian Restaurant (their favorite), the Boot Club, and spending time with family, friends, and their grandchildren. Mario was passionate about gardening and spent many enjoyable hours in his yard. He was also a fantastic cook and baker; everyone loved his cooking. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren, cooking and baking with them, and teaching them how to fish.
As Mario’s health began to decline over the past few years, we were blessed to have home health caregivers Ashley and Jasmine come into our lives. They gave Mario such amazing love and care. All his children were also closely involved with his care. A special thank you to all the family, friends, and neighbors for your love and concern. Thank you, Pete and Norene, for everything you did. Mario loved spending time with you; he especially loved your homemade pizza.
After a hospital stay in July 2026, Mario was transferred to Sarah House under hospice care. He was given such loving and compassionate care from the entire staff. Our entire family is so thankful for the help provided by the staff at Sarah House.
Mario is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Maura Pezzati. He is also survived by his five children: Marla (Ugo) Arnoldi, Julie (Richard) Shupe, Cece Durant, Mario (Stephanie) Pezzati, Jr., and Michael Pezzati.
Mario’s grandchildren who called him ‘Grandpa”, “Bapa”, and “Bob”, include Christopher Shupe, Giuseppe Arnoldi, Heather (Shupe) Castillo, Francesca (Arnoldi) Winebrenner, Nicholas Pezzati, Jennifer (Durant) Young, step-grandchild Shane Rosemark.
Mario is also survived by great-grandchild Spencer Shupe, niece Donna (Pezzati) Renkoski and many other relatives and friends.
Mario was preceded in death by his brother Francis Pezzati, Francis Pezzati’s wife, Jane Pezzati; his cousin Rosemarie Anderson and her husband, Andy Anderson; and Rosemarie and Andy’s son, Jeffery Anderson.
He accomplished many things, he lived an amazing life, was loved by all, and he will be dearly missed.
Donations may be made in Mario Pezzati’s name to:
Sarah House
2612 Modoc Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
