Geno Pazzaglia, probably best known as the previous owner and operator of Geno's Restaurant on Highway 98 in Magnolia Springs, died quietly in his home Aug. 19, 2007.
He was born in Chicago in 1917 to Giovanni and Olivia Rossi Pazzaglia, who had migrated from Italy 10 years earlier. He graduated from Farragut High School in Chicago. When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was was deployed with the 5th Air Depot Group to Leyte Island in the Philippines, where he spent over five years.
After the war, he moved back to Chicago where he worked in the restaurant industry and married Jean Thorp, who preceded him in death. He relocated to Houston and began a career in portrait photography and wholesale photographic equipment sales. His frequent business in Alabama inspired him to move to Point Clear and make the Alabama coast his home.
After settling in Alabama, he built and opened Geno's Restaurant in Magnolia Springs, which became a regional landmark by serving the finest seafood and steaks for over 20 years. Approaching 80 years of age, he closed his restaurant in 1995. In 2001, he met and fell in love with Mary Lou Berg of Foley, who has remained his constant companion and best friend to the very end.
Survivors include five children, Randy Pazzaglia of Bryan, Texas, Gary Pazzaglia of Bethesda, Md., Cindy Fawcett of Houston, Peggy Mooney of Austin, Texas, and Gina Filkins of Oklahoma City; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Magnolia Springs Weslayan Church.
Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home and Crematory, Robertsdale.
