Mauro and Dotty

Mauro Mazzilli was a little guy with a big heart. That heart gave out on the morning of May 13 in a manner Mauro hoped for and discussed on numerous occasions; quickly. Mauro was fiercely proud and never wanted to be a burden on anyone. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He loved his wife Dotty, his sons and grandchildren. Because he shared his home with sons Tony and Michael, he was especially doting when it came to them. At no point in all the decades I have known Mauro did he ever say a cross word about his family and always treated women with respect.

Mauro lived in a small ranch style house on Cedar Lane. He said it was his Shangri La. “Anything I could want is here” he would say as he pulled up another lawn chair surrounded with artificial flowers, a basketball hoop, a small travel trailer, an above ground pool and a score of bicycles. He loved buying and selling things he spotted at lawn sales and if he saw something that he thought you would like…it was yours. He was a sociable man with a great sense of humor. Mauro loved hearing a good joke but seldom told one because he would invariably screw up the punch line. Anyone who took the time to really listen to Mauro would realize that he had much to say. He was no great orator and often times had difficulty expressing himself, but he was sincere in his association with people and was a loyal friend.

Mauro loved politics and all that it imbued. He was known as a perennial candidate and sought elected office 13 times over the last 20 years. In 1988 he ran for Recreation Commission, and sought a Board of Health seat in 1991, 1993 and 1995. He took three years off from 1996-1998 but ran up a streak of nine campaigns during the next 10 years from 1999 to the April 2008 election. During that span he vied for Sewer Commission in 1999, 2000, 2001 And 2004, Board of Health in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

His final campaign was this past April 26 when he sought a two year term for Selectman. In Mauro’s heart of hearts he knew he had little chance of being elected. He always said that his New Jersey accent, his colorful outfits and awkward stage presence created a tough road to hoe, but he was a one-of-a-kind and wouldn’t change who he was and how he lived. “Dan, I just want to make the book. I want my grandchildren to pick up the Annual Town Report and see my name…to know that I was a part of the Town.”

In truth Mauro had already “Made the book”. He served for several years as an appointed member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and was an elected member of the Kingston Democratic Town Committee for many years. Back in the mid 80’s Mauro was an member of the Sewerage Study Committee, a group appointed by the Board of Health and a forerunner of what ultimately brought sewerage solutions to Kingston. Mauro loved Rocky Nook and often referred to himself as “The eyes and ears of the Nook.”

He was president of the Kingston Shores Association from 1999-2003. Mauro’s final entry into “The book” will occur next year when the vital statistics will include his passing.

We concluded a long time ago that Mauro’s election bids were serving a far different purpose for him. It was never about the predicted outcome, it was always about the process. For the several months leading up to election day it was Mauro at his best; he was an endless display of fashion (we were glad to see the disappearance of the ermine collar and cloak era), he was quite a dresser and said it was expected of him…and he aimed to please.

He participated in Candidate’s Nights, took part in all newspaper interviews and walked the halls of Town Hall like the celebrity he had become. He pointed out where the town could improve and told us how he could improve things; he was truly ubiquitous, making public appearances everywhere, Carmela’s being among his favorites. On those rare occasions he dropped out of sight, he said he had to “take care of a few projects.”

He loved being a mystery man. Part of his growing up in the Jersey City area of New Jersey required that a man keep a few secrets. Although Mauro had none, he wanted us to think he did. After each election he promised it was his last, this year being no exception…but we all knew otherwise.

Running for office helped define the man, “and besides, people expect it” he would conclude. And they did. Future elections will not be the same without Mauro Mazzilli being a part of it. It is for that reason that my wife Nancy said we will display a Mazzilli sign at our home for as long as we have the health to do it.
My last visit with Mauro came fewer than 48 hours before he passed. It was Sunday, Mother’s Day when Nancy said she thought a flower delivery was being made. She grabbed a five dollar bill, ran downstairs and handed it out the door. The bill was snatched up and a bouquet of flowers took its place. She leaned out the door and saw it was Mauro. She plucked back the five from a howling Mauro who announced “I brought you roses Nancy.” “Those are carnations Mauro” she responded and without missing a beat my little pal said, “Well, they’re red.”

He had come for Mother’s Day and to see how I was doing after having a medical procedure. Checking up on friends was completely typical for Mauro. He stayed an hour, we laughed and joked and announced that he was taking Dotty and sons Tony and Michael over to the Charlie Horse for a holiday meal. That was the last time we saw Mauro alive, but what a sweet memory. Missing Mauro is an understatement. He was a American original who could never be replaced…maybe imitated, but not the real Mauro.

We have so many warm memories of the little guy who did it his way, never hated, always forgiving, seeing the bright side, happy with life’s simple pleasures and ever the good friend.

Farewell our beloved Mauro, keep track of us here in Kingston from your perch on high, let us feel your presence each election day and know that you were a bigger winner than imagined, having won our hearts with your humor, your friendship and your grace.