[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO STELIO MANFREDI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Stelio 
Manfredi on his retirement from Lucca's Restaurant. Mr. Manfredi has 
been a respected member of the Madera community for many years. ``After 
all these years, it's finally time to turn the lights out,'' Manfredi 
said.
  Stelio Manfredi was already one of the most well-known men in town; a 
life-long Maderan, his face, and name, are among the most recognizable 
in the community. Manfredi was a bartender at Lucca's Restaurant for 40 
years, and during that time he shot the breeze with many, many 
community members, and listened to the problems of so many more. He 
always tried to lend a sympathetic ear or give them some advice from 
the wisdom he's gained in his 83 years of living.
  The restaurant's decision to only serve lunch prompted Manfredi's 
decision to step away, giving himself more time to spend with his wife 
of 59 years. Being friendly was always Manfredi's nature, as he worked 
behind the bar at Lucca's. Manfredi, known for his margaritas, will now 
spend more time in his garden and tending to his many trees and bushes. 
Leaving behind the people that he befriended will be the hardest part 
of retiring from the job.
  Stelio and Eve Manfredi have lived in the same central Madera home 
for 52 years, and during that time they have nurtured their shrubs and 
trees to the point that it is a lush, virtual paradise. ``It's therapy 
for me,'' Manfredi said of the many hours he spends outside tending to 
Mother Nature's creations.
  Manfredi hopes to go to the Madera Center and work on his General 
Education Diploma (GED). Stelio and Eve have two children and six 
grandchildren. As they raised their family, Stelio worked as a bottling 
room foreman at Hueblein Winery. He also had his own bar on Gateway 
Drive for 16 years.
  The couple has developed a deep respect and commitment for Madera as 
they grew up, a feeling they continue to have to this day. Madera has 
grown tremendously since the early days of their childhoods, they say 
there will never be another place they will call home. The couple 
attends St. Joachim's Church and Stelio is a member of the Italo-
American Club. Stelio Manfredi said he couldn't ask for more out of 
life.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Stelio Manfredi on his 
retirement and service to the community of Madera and Lucca's 
Restaurant. Stelio Manfredi has been a fixture in the community for 
many years. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Stelio and Eve 
Manfredi many years of continued happiness.

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