VALENCIA, Calif. — John Joseph Panzarello, La Canada, Calif., succumbed to a heart attack on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, while at a business appointment. He was 63.

Born on Oct. 20, 1943, in Mercer, Mr. Panzarello was the youngest of four children of Pasquale and Angelina Pellegrino Panzarello.

He grew up in Stoneboro, where his parents ran a greenhouse and a popular restaurant.

John followed his brother, Dominic, to California in 1963, and lived in Pasadena with his aunt, Mary Domenica Williams and her husband, Jim. He was followed by his sister Jane, his brother, Patrick, and his mother.

Following the examples of his beloved uncles, Joe and Jim Pellegrino, he enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1964.

He married Linda Sofranko of Alhambra, Calif., in 1967 and began a family.

He began scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins in the mid-60s and soon was managing several of its franchises in Los Angeles, later serving as a vice president with the company.

In 1976, he went into business for himself, sharing his expertise in restaurant design and management with many businesses in the greater Los Angeles area and also in Las Vegas. He taught himself how to draw restaurant plans and was an expediter. His talent, drive and experience endeared him to his customers as he was instrumental in helping them to achieve their dream of opening their restaurants.

John excelled at making people laugh and enlivening social situations or family parties. His greatest loves were his family, his four children, gardening and work. He was an avid lifelong gardener who recently built a stone wall at his family homestead in Stoneboro. He rarely took time off from work, but recently made three separate trips to The Great Stoneboro Fair to see family and friends. His giving nature was a boon to everyone who shared his life. His absence will be felt by many.

He leaves behind: his daughter, Rosemary Panzarello Ball; his son, Mark Panzarello; two grandsons, Jackson and Willis Panzarello; his daughter, Camille Griswold; and his daughter, Connie Panzarello.

He also leaves: Linda P. Walker; and Elizabeth and Cecilia Weston; his sister, Jane Rees and her husband Thomas; his brother, Dominic Panzarello and his wife Ruth; his aunt, Mary Domenica Williams; and many beloved nephews and nieces.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, in St. Columbkille Church, 70 Franklin St., Stoneboro.