Armand Jay Mastroianni

ARMAND J. MASTROIANNI Sept. 15, 1929 – May 16, 2013 Armand J. Mastroianni, 83, founder of Jay’s Catering, died peacefully May 16, 2013, in Anaheim, Ca. A resident of Garden Grove, and former resident of Rochester, Pa., he was born September 15, 1929, in Greenvale, Long Island, New York, to Giovanni and Maria Mastroianni. The son of Italian immigrant parents, he grew up on the estates of wealthy men, such as J.P. Morgan, the Rockefellers and Percy R. Pine, where his father worked as a gardening superintendent. A self-styled entrepreneur, Mastroianni started several small businesses in Long Island, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pa., including shoe repair and soda delivery, before settling in Garden Grove in 1958. He was employed by Excelsior Creamery and Rockview Dairy. In 1967, he went into business for himself. His new company, Jay’s Catering, grew into a fleet of 37 catering trucks, which for years serviced the booming construction industry, as well as the beaches and schools in Orange County. By the early 1970s, Jay, employing the help of his wife, daughter and sons, switched exclusively to social catering. Today the multi-million dollar, family- owned and operated company is one of the largest caterers in southern California. He is survived by his wife, the former Eleanor Rubino, with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on July 25, three children, Linda Loaeza, John Mastroianni and Michael Mastroianni; eleven grandchildren, Michael Ring, Christy Ring, Brian Barragan, Armand J. Barragan, Uriel Loaeza Jr., Jacob Loaeza, Michael Mastroianni Jr., Nicholas Mastroianni, Vincent Mastroianni, Alison James and Alexandra Mastroianni; seven great grandchildren, as well as his beloved dog, Bocci. Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m., Monday, Memorial Day, May 27, at Calvary Chapel, 3800 S. Fairview St., Santa Ana, CA, 92704. A reception will follow immediately. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in Jay’s name, to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., Orange County Chapter, 17771 Cowan, Ste. 200, Irvine, CA 92614, in remembrance of his mother. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683, (714) 893-2421