Giuseppe "Pino" Salvatore Savona

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our patriarch, Pino. Pino was born in Sicily to Aldolfo and Josephine Savona. To know Pino was to know he was full of memories and stories that defined him. As a young boy in Sicily, Pino faced adversity as World War II broke out. At 6 years old, the Allied forces bombed his home leaving his city in ruin. The War took him through many twists and turns as he and his family were homeless for some time. He often talked about living in challenging conditions in a house with no electricity or water and he would hunt for food to help his family. While this was a difficult time, he fondly reflected on it as he cherished his family's closeness. Their lives changed dramatically, however, when his father was permitted an opportunity to reopen their gelateria in downtown Trapani. His family began to rebuild their lives. Pino went to school and worked at the gelateria until he was 18, when he joined the Italian Army, eventually becoming the youngest sergeant to lead his troops. He loved his time in the military and took great honor in serving his country. When he returned to Trapani at the end of his service, he partnered with his father to manage the gelateria and learned all the ins and outs of running a successful business. In 1960, one evening at work, a special lady from America walked in for a gelato. That lady, Matilda (Tillie) Compango, six months later, became his bride. Pino and Tillie first married in Sicily and then married again in Monterey CA, when he came to America. It is in Monterey where they built their lives together while Pino worked and studied to become a United States citizen. An accomplishment for which he was immensely proud. Pino was a successful businessman, and he took on many endeavors. His most bountiful one was owning Pino’s Italian Café in downtown Monterey. He loved running the café because of all the nice people he met and the community this café had developed.

Pino had a love for sports and games. He attained a second-degree black belt in Karate. He was an avid Giants, 49ers and Sharks fan. Pino competed in bocce ball tournaments and never turned down a card game or two. His loud laugh could be heard from around the block as he always laughed, mostly at his jokes before he even started the punch line! Oh, and how he loved cooking! Pino's kitchen was his domain. We were his beloved guests, to whom he always insisted on seconds and thirds. No one ever left Pino’s home hungry!

Pino was the ultimate risk-taker. From his arrival in America and not being able to speak English, to working on fishing boats in Alaska, opening his fish market, and buying his café, he always bet on himself. He built a beautiful life for himself and his family. While accomplishing the American dream, the one thing he was most proud of was his family, several of whom are his name’s sake.

Pino was married to the love of his life, Tillie Savona for forty years and survived by his daughters Josephine (Bill) Lynn and Mary (Sebastian) Scala, and his grandchildren, Sara Lynn, Joseph Lynn, Giuseppe Scala, and Savona Scala. Pino was preceded in death by his sisters, Rosa Savona, and Rosa Mazzeo, and his brother Salvatore Savona. He also leaves behind his special friend, Phyllis Briggs, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church Street, Monterey, CA 93940 at 10:00 AM on January 10, 2025.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital or your charity of choice in his honor.