Mariano Sanfilippo Obituary
It is with great sorrow we announce Mariano Sanfilippo, age 94, has peacefully passed
away at Scripps Mercy Hospital on May 2, 2022.
Mariano was born in Porticello, Sicily on July 9, 1927. He is preceded in death by his
parents, Giuseppe Sanfilippo and Agata Orlando, his brothers, Santo and Giuseppe
Sanfilippo and his sisters, Maria Zafarana, Anna Asciutto and Agata Principato.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rosa Sanfilippo of 59 years; his beloved children, Agata
(Joe) Avila and Giuseppe (Angela) Sanfilippo; his blessed grandchildren, Rosa Rosa,
Rosa Ilissa Colton, Joseph Avila, Rosalia Sanfilippo, Mariano Sanfilippo and great
grandchildren, Anthony and Thomas Rosa, Emilia Colton, Joseph Avila and many
nephews and nieces.
Mariano was an Italian merchant marine for the Italian Navy for several years and also
fished in his hometown Porticello prior to coming to the United States in 1962. Shortly
thereafter, he received his US Citizenship which he was very proud of. He was a
commercial fisherman for over 50 years in San Diego and was the owner and Captain of
the M/V Rosa Maria. He retired in the early 2000’s and spent his remaining years traveling
and enjoying his time with his family. He was an active member of the Madonna del Lume
Society.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 9:00 am at Our Lady of the
Rosary Catholic Church in Little Italy, San Diego. Interment will be held immediately
following at the Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mariano’s memory to the Madonna
del Lume Society of Our Lady of the Rosary Church.