Dr. Giovanni Mazzone, M.D.

Dr. Giovanni Mazzone, M.D. April 21, 1922 November 5, 2014 Scarborough - Giovanni Mazzone, M.D., passed away peacefully on November 5, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 21, 1922 in Aidone, Sicily, Italy, son of Vincenza Sciovoli and Giuseppe Mazzone. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Concetta Rose (Grosso) Mazzone, his parents, his sister Leonarda and brothers Giuseppe, Felippo, Leonardo, and Angelo. In 1941 Dr. Mazzone entered medical school at the University of Catania, Sicily. He was then called to serve in the Italian Army, but because he was already a medical student he did not have to serve. In 1943 he was recalled to the army for two years and was deployed to Triesta and Yugoslavia as a medic. After Mussolini passed a special law that allowed medical students to return to school, he quickly returned to his passion of becoming a doctor. He graduated from the University of Catania in 1945 and from the Santo Spirito School of Medicine in Rome in 1949. He returned to his hometown to practice medicine. On September 16, 1950 the young Dr. Mazzone married Sicilian-American girl named Concetta Rose Grosso in Grammichele, Sicily. In August of 1951, Dr. Mazzone came to America and began a new life with his wife, Rosina (as he called her) in America. His first American medical experience was at Metropolitan Hospital in NYC. Not only did he have to learn English, but also the American medical system. He then transferred to St. Catherine's Hospital in Brooklyn. He became a United States citizen in 1953 and although he was an extremely proud Sicilian, he was also proud to be an American and often referred to the U.S. as the greatest country in the world. In March 1957 he accepted a position at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine. In 1959, Dr. Mazzone opened his private office on Stevens Avenue and continued caring for his patients until retiring in 1985. His beloved wife was his bookkeeper and secretary for his entire career. He was a General Practitioner and then became a Fellow of the Academy of Family Physicians. This was one of his proudest moments and wore the American style cap and gown for the first time. He had his license in both Maine and Massachusetts. Dr. Mazzone became known as the ""Italian Doctor with the Italian accent"" making house calls driving his distinct orange Volkswagen Beetle. He was always available to his patients and took care of many generations of the same families. Dr. Mazzone was also the personal physician of the Sisters of Mercy and many priests in the diocese of Portland. He was well respected by his peers and was known for his direct approach to his colleagues for his patients. In 1985 Dr. Mazzone retired from practicing medicine and relocated to West Yarmouth, Massachusetts. He loved Cape Cod and lived there with his wife until her death in 2007. His favorite hobbies included playing golf, listening to the opera, hunting, carving decoy ducks and reading. He also loved history and sharing his experiences during World War II. Nonno, as his grandchildren called him was known for his pizza making and stories of growing up in Sicily. He was an avid gardener known for his tomato plants as well as grafting fruit trees. He enjoyed playing golf with his son and his many friends. In Cape Cod he played daily with a foursome known as the ""Dawn Patrol"" for their early tee time at Bayberry Ridge golf course in West Yarmouth, MA. He made friends wherever he went and was loved by all. He will be sadly missed. He is survived by his daughters, Vincenza Jane McNulty and husband, Peter, of Newtown, CT, Rosemarie LaVopa and husband, Robert, of Portland, sons, Joseph Mazzone and wife, Gail, of Westbrook, and Angelo Mazzone and wife, Susan, of Scarborough. Giovanni was also the loving Nonno of Julia Jane McNulty Lambert and husband, Nathan, Katie Rose McNulty Oliver and husband, Matthew, Anthony LaVopa and wife, Elena, Juliana LaVopa, Jeffrey Mazzone, Felicia Mazzone and Giovanni Mazzone. He is also survived by his great grandson, Lucas Mazzone and cousin, Rose Loscarso, as well as many nieces and nephews in Italy. At the request of the family there will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland, at 10:00am on Friday, November 7, 2014 with immediate interment at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. The family of Dr. Mazzone would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Maine Medical Center Emergency Department and R6 as well as the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Dr. Giovanni Mazzone's honor to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Hospice of Southern Maine (Gosnell Memorial Hospice House) 180 U.S. Route 1, Suite 1 Scarborough, ME 04074

Dr. Giovanni Mazzone, M.D.

April 21, 1922 - November 5, 2014

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