Edmund Joseph Mazzei Sr.'s Obituary
Mazzei, Edmund J., Sr., USMC CAPT (Ret) SDV, 84 years young! On Jun 16, 2022, Ed went into the arms of the Lord. A Miami resident for 51 years, he was born in South Boston, MA to Frank and Edith (nee McCarron) Mazzei and was a Mayflower descendant through his mother’s line. He spent his early years in South Boston as a “Southie Bad Boy” in a predominantly Italian / Irish neighborhood, attended South Boston High and earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University.
His professional motto was “expect the best”; his unconditional commitment to service excellence. He found relaxation watching the sunset, swimming in the warm Florida ocean waters, and taking walks around Hammocks Lake with Jeaneth who he called “Honeybee”. He had a passion for great food, traveling, and was a wine enthusiast. Ed loved rock concerts, visits to Sloppy Joe’s, and Fantasy Fest in Key West. Friends called him Ed, Eddie, Ponytail Ed, MAZZEI and Mr. BOMA!
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in Jun 1956 (Parris Island, SC), and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA for combat training. His earlier service included: 1956 – 1958 afloat the USS Breckenridge; 1958-1962 MCAS, South Weymouth, MA; tours to Okinawa in (1956, 1957, 1966, 1968-1970); 1962 stationed Camp Lejeune, NC; afloat USS Algol on blockade for Cuban Missile Crisis; 1963 Commissioned as Warrant Officer in Quantico, VA; stationed 1963-1966 MCAS Cherry Point, NC. During 1966 – 1967 his 3rdBn, 12th Mar Regt (Artillery), 3d Mar Div served in Vietnam, providing direct artillery fire support for the 4th Mar Regt (Infantry). On one fateful day, his battalion suffered widespread casualties, both wounded and killed, but it was not his day, and the Lord gave him another chance, the direct mortar attack having claimed the lives of soldiers in the foxhole on either side of him. During his tours, his body suffered from exposure to Agent Orange while serving in combat in Vietnam. He returned to Camp Lejeune, NC until 1971 when he was transferred to AFEES, Coral Gables, FL (a processing center for recruits on Aurora Street). Ed was a Service-Disabled Vietnam Veteran and was an advocate over the years to fight for Veteran rights and to ensure their service and sacrifices are never forgotten. Ed submitted articles on a regular basis to The Miami Herald “Open Mic” as an advocate and voice of the community.
He retired from military service in 1976 and began his real estate career in South Florida at South Dade Realty. Ed earned a master’s degree in business at FIU in 1980. His successful real estate and property management career continued at General Development Corporation, South Miami Hospital, then on to Citicorp where he got the nickname “Citi Gator” for the project management in the development and relocation of their corporate offices from Brickell Avenue to Doral, FL. His career continued to VMS Realty, Inc. until 1988 when he established Mazzei Realty Services, Inc in Coral Gables, FL – The City Beautiful! He specialized in brokerage services in commercial real estate, asset management, and construction management.
Over the next 30 years, his involvement with BOMA (Buildings Owners and Managers Association) on both a local and international level, mentorship programs, as well as support provided to education enhancement, led to the honorary designation of “BOMA Fellow”. Ed proudly served as chair on the City of Coral Gables Property Advisory Board, and as Past President of BOMA Miami. His involvement and passion to serve groups and organizations on a monthly basis included Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, First Friday Breakfast, Ponce Business Association (of late, Coral Gables Forum), CIASF, and The Army and Navy Club of Coral Gables. He was proud of his Mazzei Realty Services Team, which continues as a small family-owned property management firm of commercial, healthcare and residential properties, which recently added another student housing project to its management portfolio mix.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jeaneth (nee Figueroa) and her children Mark Mazzei, Tanya (Timothy) Cohoon and 2 granddaughters; his former wife Rosa (nee Apostolico) Mazzei and their children Rosa Marie Mazzei, Ed (Gladys) Mazzei, Gina (Otto) Anderhub, Angela (Randy) Frye, Paul (Chantale) Mazzei, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Ed was predeceased by sister Josephine McCarron Conners, and brothers Francis and Paul Mazzei.
He supported the Catholic Archdiocese and its Charities, New England Historic Genealogical Society, The Mayflower Society, Genealogical Society of Greater Miami, Hillel Miami, Disabled Veteran Organizations (DAV.org), the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart in Alhambra, CA, and Honor Flight South Florida (through which he was scheduled for a flight in 2022 to honor his service).
Wed, Jun 29th Visitation 5-8PM - Van Orsdel Funeral Home (11220 N Kendall Dr) with a Vigil and Prayer Service at 7PM.
Thurs, Jun 30th at 11AM Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (11291 SW 142 Ave). Following Mass, processional to Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery (11411 NW 25 St) for Prayer Service and Military Funeral Honors Service.
A lunch reception for friends and family will follow the service.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of the charities above to honor or memorialize his contributions to the community.
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