Valentino Ziliotto

April 4, 1927 - January 2, 2014

A man whose torpedo sandwiches filled the bellies of Santa Barbara residents for decades, has died. Valentino Ziliotto , owner of the Italian Grocery & Deli — Tino's to locals — on East De la Guerra Street passed away Jan. 2 at home, his sister by his side. He was 86. The Santa Barbara native bought into the store, which used to be located in the 700 block of Olive Street, on July 1, 1947, and became sole proprietor 10 years later. In 1978, with help from the city's redevelopment agency, he and former wife Edith moved the store about a block away to 415 E. De la Guerra St., where it's operated since. In a 1989 feature, the News-Press called the deli "Little Italy in a corner store." Mr. Ziliotto said at the time that he bought into the business at 20 to make his father happy. "He didn't want me to be a gardener. He felt that it wouldn't be a good field, because I wouldn't be able to earn enough money." The shop became a second home, and those who stopped in to say hello did so not only for goods direct from Italy, but also for the giant sandwiches made by Mr. Ziliotto and his sister, Terry Morinini . They are 2-foot-long sandwiches wrapped in yellow paper, pretty much as they have been served for decades in the same Santa Barbara neighborhood. Speaking with the News-Press on Friday, Deanna Morinini, Terry's daughter, said of her uncle, "He loved his customers, and that's what kept him going 60 odd years." Mr. Ziliotto, who attended Franklin Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High School and Santa Barbara High School, was ill for some time, under hospice care at home for eight months. But even then, he came to the store every day for the first few months. His last day was Sept. 1, 2013. "That happened to be the first day that my brother, Elio, started working there," said Ms. Morinini. Mr. Ziliotto died peacefully on Thursday. "The house he was born in is the house he passed away in," said Ms. Morinini. Now, she and brothers Elio and Dino run the place. "We're continuing it in our uncle's legacy, with his sister's guidance." It was her mother, she added, who was with Mr. Ziliotto when he first walked in the place all those years ago. "She was by his side through and life and to death." The shop is set for another move, perhaps over the summer, to the old Carrows Restaurant location at 210 W. Carrillo St. "Once we get there, we'll probably do something in his honor," said Ms. Morinini. The new location is not quite as big as the De la Guerra Street store. Given the De la Guerra building includes 1,000 square feet of storage space that's not being used, smaller apparently is better. A memorial service for Mr. Ziliotto is being planned for a week from today at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. As of Friday, the time had yet to be determined. Ms. Morinini said the store will be closed that day. Valentino “Tino” Ziliotto was born to Giovanni (Indri) and Marina Ziliotto on April 4, 1927. He passed away in the home that he was born in on January 2, 2014. Tino’s only sister, Terry was by his side at his death as she had been during his lifetime. She worked alongside him at The Italian Grocery and was always available when needed. Tino attended Franklin elementary school, Santa Barbara Jr. High and Santa Barbara High School, class of ’44. After Graduation he was drafted into the army and stationed in Japan. Tino had great memories from that time of his life. After he returned from the Armed Forces he began working at the store he soon was to purchase. Tino bought into the Italian Grocery July 1, 1947 and became the sole proprietor in 1957. Tino’s Italian Grocery has been part of Santa Barbara local community for many generations. His legacy will live on through his family as they continue to operate and manage Tino’s Italian Grocery. Tino is survived by Valentino, Jr. and several grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Terry Morinini, his niece, Deanna Morinini, nephews, Elio and Dino (Lisa) Morinini, great niece, Sammi and great nephews, Connor and Gunner. The family is very grateful for the support from the Visiting Nurses Hospice Care of Santa Barbara. Memorial mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows, 21 E. Sola St., on Saturday, January 11 at 11am. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Italian American Foundation of Santa Barbara, PO Box 22557, Santa Barbara, CA 93121 or the Visiting Nurses Association of Santa Barbara, 222 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101