'Mayor of Sixth Street' treated all like family
For Star Mazzoleni, life was an adventure.
"And she lived and loved every moment of it," said her husband, John Mazzoleni, a former owner of Frenchy's Restaurant and Lounge, Downtown.
Former Frenchy's manager Sara "Star" Carinci Mazzoleni, of McCandless, died of cancer on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006, in UPMC Shadyside hospital. She was 54.
Tom Forester, the former Allegheny County commissioner, referred to Mrs. Mazzoleni as the "mayor of Sixth Street," her husband said.
"Whether you were one of our regulars or a complete stranger, Star treated you the same," he said.
Former Houston Astros shortstop Craig Reynolds, who also played for the Pirates, made it a point to drop in at Frenchy's during road trips to Pittsburgh, John Mazzoleni said.
"Craig also told me how on one occasion when he was playing in San Francisco, one of the Giants told him that one of the reasons he enjoyed coming to Pittsburgh and stopping in Frenchy's was to see Star. When players like Reynolds are away from their families for such long periods of time, it's great to be able to find a place where they treat you like you're a member of the family," John Mazzoleni said.
Another well-known patron was actor Don Ameche.
"Star even took the time to sit and chat with Don Ameche when he dropped in, while he was performing at Heinz Hall," her husband said. "They had a very long talk."
Born and raised in Bellevue, Mrs. Mazzoleni was one of two daughters of Sue Carinci and the late Dominic Carinci. Her father was employed in the maintenance department at Divine Providence Hospital on the North Side.
At Bellevue High School, where she graduated in 1969, Mrs. Mazzoleni became known as Star for her numerous performances in high school plays. She also appeared in several minor roles at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland.
"Star had her heart set on becoming an actress," said John Mazzoleni, who first met his wife when she applied for a waitress position. "But she was astute enough to know that she needed a job.
"Star never regretted staying with us. And thanks to my mother, she reached her goal of becoming a popular hostess. My mother (Amata) and my brothers, Ermond and Raymond, all worked at the Duquesne Club before they bought Frenchy's. They understood good service.
"Star helped me with the books and with the administrative duties. She really 'starred' at everything she attempted."
The couple married in 1989. Frenchy's was sold the same year.
After a year of managing a restaurant in the North Hills, Mrs. Mazzoleni joined her husband as a member of the sales force of Northwood Realty Services. "It didn't take my wife long to be listed among Northwood's top 10 percent of its sales organization," he said.
"Star had what Italians call 'simpatico,' a deep feeling of what people really need. She could read between the lines while making a sale. If the buyer had kids, it was even better. Star had a bonding with kids.
"And I heard it over and over again during the years we worked together at Northwood, prior to her illness, 'I don't understand how your wife knew what we needed. We didn't even know ourselves.'"
Mrs. Mazzoleni is survived by her husband, John; her mother, Sue Carinci, of the North Side; and a sister, Julia Novalis, of Sunset Beach, N.C.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and Sunday at the Simons Funeral Home Inc., 7720 Perry Highway, Ross.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church, 2535 Rochester Road, Cranberry.
