Anthony Mazzella Sr.

Groton— Anthony Mazzella Sr., 68, of Noank, died Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Tony was born on Apri1 12, 1944, in Long Beach, Calif., to Margaret Mazzella and Anthony Rodriguez. He was a self-made, successful businessman with his flooring business in California in his younger years. Shortly after his engagement to Meg Gilman, Tony boldly picked up and moved to the East Coast to Waterford. He opened Mazzella Carpets Inc. in Groton in 1984, shortly after arriving. The company has grown to include his sons. Tony was involved in The Lions Club, Mystic Chamber of Commerce, and CT Builders Association. In the last two years, Tony surprised his family and friends once more with his newfound painting talent, and graduated recently from The Mariner Art Guild in Mystic. Unfortunately, due to his unexpected illness, he missed his last art exhibit.

He had a passion for beautiful cars and racehorses. His horse, Michelle’s Dream, was a source of pride and a winner. His life on the Connecticut shore was a slower and simpler life, but one that he came to relish and love. He was fond of fishing and boating. You always knew when he was in the bay in his boat, Pier Pressure, because you could hear it coming. If he could be on the water with the sun beaming down, it was a good day. His smile was contagious; his laughter came easily. He could find humor in just about anything. If you traveled through downtown Mystic, chances were that you might bump into Tony hanging out in one of his favorite haunts. He was charismatic and generous. His personality was like a light to which people were drawn.

Tony leaves behind his daughter, Michelle Arbogast and her husband, Eric, of Newport Beach, Calif.; his three sons, Anthony Jr. of Santa Barbara, Calif., Michael of New London, and Brian of Waterford; his sisters, Rachel and Diane Herrera, both of Simi Valley, Calif., and Lyla Castleman of Yreka, Calif.; and his brothers, Luigi Mazzella of Simi Valley, Calif., and Peter Mazzella of Carson, Calif. Tony had two beautiful granddaughters in California, Kayla and Alyssa Arbogast; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Johnny Mazzella.

A celebration of his life will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Port ’N Starboard at Ocean Beach.

Donations may be made in memory of Anthony Mazzella Sr. to Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 21 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA 02446.

Condolences may be left for the family on www.neilanfuneralhome.com.