Luigi Uttaro

August 9, 1936 v November 30, 2019

Luigi Uttaro passed away suddenly at the age of 83 on November 30th, 2019 at his home at 5th and Dolores in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

Luigi was born on August 9, 1936 in Gaeta, Italy to Cosmo and Carmina Canzanella Uttaro. He was the third of five siblings, including Angelina, Giuseppe, Rosetta and Bruno. Luigi married and immigrated to the United States in 1975 and became a naturalized citizen in 2001. His only child, Timothy Louis Uttaro, was born in 1979 and was the light in Luigi’s life. Tim has followed in Luigi’s steps, pursuing a career in the restaurant business as an accomplished chef.

Luigi served in the Italian Navy and graduated from the Mercantile Naval College in 1959. He had two professional careers during his lifetime. The first was a 20-year career as Senior Engineer on an Italian cruise liner, where, as a senior officer, he loved to dance with the ladies at cruise dinners and sing for celebrations. He traveled the world extensively, visiting every continent.

Luigi’s life at sea was followed by a 30-year career as a waiter in Lake Tahoe and then Carmel-by-the-Sea, principally at Casanova Restaurant and the Sardine Factory. He was honored as Waitperson of the Year for excellence in hospitality several times over the years. He had a dedicated following of patrons at all his restaurants. When he wasn’t whipping up special appetizers in the kitchen, Luigi was, in his own words, “on stage at all times.” He was fondly known as the “singing waiter,” or simply, “Luigi.” His voice was strong and operatic, and he loved delighting people with dramatic waitering techniques and singing birthday and anniversary wishes. Luigi retired in Carmel-by-the-Sea in July 2007.

Luigi was a man of many talents. He had two passionate hobbies that he nurtured throughout his life, model tall shipbuilding, and cooking. He was a designer and builder of large, hand-carved, intricate model tall ships, and sold numerous models in his shop on Dolores Street. Tim will treasure and display Luigi’s last, and most impressive model tall ship, the 1860 HMS Prince of Wales. Luigi was also an acknowledged chef, sharing his food and hand-printed, hand-illustrated recipes with his many friends and neighbors. He was passionate and had a generous heart. He truly listened to and cared for others.

Luigi came from a family of professional fishermen in Italy. He loved fishing, and in his later years alternated his time between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Loreto, Mexico, spending three months at a time fishing, camping and cooking. He was devoted to Madonna of Loreto and her festival in the autumn, which he attended often.

He is survived by his son, Timothy Louis Uttaro, his granddaughter Liliana Uttaro, his sister Rosetta Uttaro Ricinello in his hometown of Gaeta, Italy, his sister-in-law Immaculate Uttaro, niece Angela Uttaro, as well as by numerous nephews and nieces and grand-nieces and grand-nephews in Italy and the United States. In addition, he is survived by longtime dear friends Marcello De Laurentis, Giuliano Castagnola, and Jenny Nobis. His family will be forever grateful to these special friends for all of their caring and friendship over many years.

Luigi was preceded in death by his late mother and father, siblings Angelina Uttaro Silvano, Giuseppe Damiano Uttaro, and Bruno Uttaro, and brothers-in-law Franco Silvano and Cosmo Riciniello.

A memorial Open House to celebrate Luigi’s life will be held on Sunday December 15th between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Nimmons Room at Norton Court apartments, at the NW Corner of 5th Avenue and Dolores Street in Carmel-by-the-Sea. All are welcome to drop by to sign the guestbook, share memories, mingle with friends, and enjoy food and beverage prepared by his son, Chef Timothy.

Memorial services will be held Friday, January 10, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Carmel Mission Basilica.

Luigi will be inurned at San Carlos Cemetery at 792 Fremont Street in Monterey.Memorial donations are not requested, however, if you wish to, please donate to the Salvation Army: www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/ways-to-give/