Community remembers Helen Mazzella

SWANSBORO - When the Mazzella family of Swansboro retired from the restaurant business in 2007 and turned over its Italian eatery to new owners, Helen Mazzella graciously shared her 30 years of expertise and helped with the transition.

That caring and compassion is what current owner Gloria Rice will remember most about the restaurant's late matriarch.

"She just made the transition as easy as can be," Rice said. "She was willing to sit down and teach me what she knew and show me what made the restaurant such a success."

Mazzella's death Sunday at age 83 comes just a year after the sale of the family owned and operated restaurant located on N.C. 58 in the Peletier community just outside of Cape Carteret.

The restaurant is now called Riso's, but even the Mazzella's name was something the family was willing to share, Rice recalled.

Rice and her husband purchased the restaurant in November 2007 and during the transaction the Mazzellas granted them the right to keep the name on the sign. While they ended up having to change the sign sooner than expected, Rice said it's just an example of the generosity of Mrs. Mazzella and the family.

"They are just good people," Rice said.

And as Rice prepared for lunchtime customers Tuesday, she also remembered one particular piece of advice she received from Mrs. Mazzella.

"She said ‘Just don't let your whole family eat for free or you'll never make it,'" Rice said with a laugh. "That was the last thing she said as we left the attorney's office at closing."

Rice said she was a customer at Mazzella's long before she bought the restaurant, and Helen Mazzella was always ready with a welcome.

"I ate at the restaurant from the time I was 18 and she was always here, she always had a smiling face," Rice said.

Rice said the Mazzellas, with the help of their children and grandchildren, devoted many years to the restaurant and their influence hasn't been forgotten.

In just another example of the kindness of Mrs. Mazzella and the family, son Peter Mazzella Jr. worked with the restaurant's new chef for several weeks on preparing many of the Mazzella family recipes that remain on the menu.

Staff writer Jannette Pippin can be reached at jpippin@freedomenc.com or 910-382-2557.