In Memoriam Vito Maranzano

Vito Maranzano passed away on February 24 following complications from a stroke. He was 82 years old.
The “unofficial mayor” of Glendale, Maranzano was a member of the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol (GCOP), Kiwanis Club, Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corp., and Community Board (CB) 5, among others.
“Vito was a very special man,” said Frank Kotnik, president of GCOP. “If anyone had his heart in the right place for the community, it was Vito.”
Prior to his retirement, Maranzano was well-known and respected in the insurance and reinsurance industry.
A leading figure in Glendale’s battle against graffiti, Maranzano also served as president of the Glendale Property Owners’ Association for a number of years. Last month, he was named President Emeritus.
The meeting hall of the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council was also named in his honor.
“Vito was a man who could get things done,” continued Kotnik. “He was a good man who did a lot to make sure that evil didn’t thrive. He will be dearly missed because he was a fixture in Glendale.”
“It’s very difficult to replace a community person who did all he did,” said Vincent Arcuri, chairman, CB5.
Maranzano is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren, one great-grandchild and other family members.
A wake was held on February 26 and 27 at the Glendale Walsh-Labella Funeral Home; a funeral Mass was held on February 28 at St. Pancras. Interment was at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn.