Obituary of Robert Stagnaro

Robert "Big Boy" Stagnaro passed away peacefully on May 25th, 2012. He was surrounded by his family. Robert Armando Stagnaro was born into the Original Stagnaro Family on July 16, 1928 at Hanley Hospital in Santa Cruz. The youngest of 13 children born to Cottardo and Battistina Stagnaro, he weighed a whooping pound and a half at birth (he was born 13 weeks premature). He was given whiskey thru an eye dropper to fight off infection and kept warm in a cigar box. One Day when his Father went to visit the nurse picked him up in the palm of her hand and said "my what big boy you are getting to be". The nickname Big Boy stuck ever since. Robert's career on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf began at the age of 7 when he learned to fillet fish alongside his father Cottardo and Uncle Malio at his family's business, the C Stagnaro Fish Market located at the center of the wharf. With the start of World War II, Robert was granted a special driver's license at the age of 13, so he could help his Dad in the family business as his brothers were off at war. Instead of going to school on Friday, he delivered fish from Boulder Creek to Watsonville. After graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1946, he started skippering the various sport fishing boats in his family's fleet. Robert and his brother Stago, would skipper the Sea Stag II one of the fastest speed boats on the west coast. They would take passengers from the Pleasure Pier to what is now the entrance of the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and back. It was during this time Robert met the love of his life, Joan Brookman who was born in McCamey, Texas and had relocated to Santa Cruz with her family. She came to the Pleasure Pier to complain that he was keeping her up at night. He soon learned it was not what he thought. For you see when he turned the speed boat around at what is now the entrance to the Santa Cruz Harbor, he would rev up the boat's engine and proclaim to the passengers on the boat over the loud speaker "Hi de ho and away we go, see the bay the speed boat way". This would echo into Joan's bedroom window on East Cliff Drive and keep her awake at night. He never forgot that fiery Texan. With the start of the Korean War in 1950, Robert enlisted in the United States Navy. He was based at North Island in San Diego where he was to become an Aviation Storekeeper. On December 24, 1952 he was granted a 24 hour leave for Christmas. His first order of business was to fly home and propose to his Texan. Robert and Joan were married August 29, 1953 in Santa Cruz. They left the day after their wedding to make their first home on Hamilton Ave in San Diego. Robert was promoted to 3rd class Aviation Storekeeper in late 1953. He was transferred from North Island to Miramar Naval Air Station where he helped to set up the one of the Navy's newest military bases. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in July 1954. He and Joan returned to Santa Cruz to start a family and eventually raise their five children. Robert rejoined his Family's Business as a skipper. In 1964 Robert retired from skippering various boats to manage his Family's newest venture, Malio's Restaurant (named for his Uncle) which was also located on the wharf. He worked alongside his brother Joe and sisters Mary and Lindy. In 1972 Robert's family torn down their old sport fisherman's coffee shop located at the center of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and replaced it with a new one named for Robert's sister Gilda. With the sale of Malio's Restaurant, Robert joined his sister Gilda in 1979 to help manage Gilda's Restaurant, which is still owned and operated by Robert's sons Dino and Malio. Robert and Gilda worked together every day for almost 30 years until Gilda's sudden passing in 2008. His greatest joy was serving the people of Santa Cruz and beyond. Whether he was seating people or bartending he always greeted you with a smile and warm "Welcome Aboard". He loved to reminisce about old time Santa Cruz and often spoke to school and senior groups about the history of his family along the Santa Cruz Waterfront. When not at the wharf Robert enjoyed gathering his children and grandchildren together for weekly Sunday night dinners. He was a member and past president of the Santa Cruz Host Lions Club, Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, lifelong collector of Bing Crosby music and memorabilia, not to mention a diehard New York Yankee Fan. Robert is survived by his three sons, Malio Stagnaro, Bill Stagnaro and Dino Stagnaro (daughter in law Annette), his two daughters Leta Stagnaro and Laura Stagnaro Paz (son in law Trin), Grandson Zachary Stagnaro, Honorary Grandchildren, Christen, Kyle and Isaiahs Goody, his beloved "Sugar Baby" sister Yolanda "Lindy" Dunn, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years Joan Brookman Stagnaro in 1988, granddaughter Amber Stagnaro in 1981 , parents Cottardo and Battistina Stagnaro, his 4 brothers Babe, Dodie, Stago and Joe, his 4 sisters Mary, Chella, Betty and Gilda. Robert's family would like to thank Hospice of Santa Cruz County for their love and support over the last 6 months. They also would like to thank his at home care givers Rolando, Victor, and Rosa for providing him with so much love, help and support in his final months and days. To the numerous family members and friends who would stop by or call to check on our Dad, your love for him meant so much to us all. A public visitation is scheduled for Thursday May 31, 2012 from 2pm to 7pm at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga Street in Santa Cruz. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Robert's memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz County 940 Disc Dr Scotts Valley, Ca 95066. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle or express your condolences to Robert's family.