Long Time Olvera Street Merchant Remembered
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Flowers and photographs mark the passing of Sebastian Renaldo Melone Tanzini, a long time merchant of Olvera Street who passed away on May 23, 2009, after a brief illness.
Services were held Monday morning for the Italian-American Philadelphia native, known by those in and around El Pueblo as Melone Tanzini. In front of his store, photos and artifacts are on display, including a copy of a decades-old SAG card from the 1940's and a Baptism certificate that cites his birthdate as August 12, 1921.
Tanzini arrived in Los Angeles after serving in the United States Army during World War II. Here he met and befriended Christine Sterling during the early years of Olvera Street. Sterling, who was not shy ask people to help build her dream, had Tanzini use his skills as a carpenter to build some of the street's original puestos, the booths that sit in the middle of the small street turned merchant marketplace.
He himself became a merchant, selling wrought iron and later art prints and posters. For many, he's also known as the merchant who personalized headlines for an Olvera Street tourist staple: the novelty newspaper.
Also among the flowers are many photographs from the family's collection that document Olvera Street's history. Tanzini himself took many photos of the celebrities and dignitaries that toured El Pueblo. Visits by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, then Senator John F. Kennedy, and President Jimmy Carter were important benchmarks.
Tanzini's active work with Las Posadas and the Blessing of the Animals is also a large part of his legacy. Fittingly, as people came by to remember the merchant -- even if they did not know he also built some of the original booths -- the sounds of workers drilling and hammering new puestos echoed off the store he considered a second home.
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Joe Torres on June 11, 2009, at 07:13PM – #1
I worked as a teen on Olvera street in the late 60s and remember this wonderful man. My mom worked at one of the stores for forty years and knew him as a good and very hardworking man. I saw him a year ago....still working hard. I was stunned to see him assuming that he had retired years ago. I think Olvera street was his only real home.R.I.P Melone.....we will miss you!
Joe Torres San Francisco
Margaret Nevarez on June 12, 2009, at 10:42AM – #2
Melone was a dear friend of mine as well as the rest of my family. I started to work in Olvera Street when I was 12 years old, helping another friend and my mom. Melone was always around as a friend. The photos I have from my high school graduation was taken by Melone, otherwise I might not have these great memorial photos. Thanks for your friendship Melone and for all the good memories, God bless you. Love, Margaret Nevarez
Ed Fuentes on June 12, 2009, at 12:09PM – #3
Thank you both for sharing those stories.
David Kennedy on June 12, 2009, at 12:44PM – #4
I thought this post was very well done. Probably the best thing you've written over the years. Hopefully, blogdowntown will add thoughtful obituaries to its repertoire.
Mary Lou Haugh on June 12, 2009, at 10:23PM – #5
Melone was a freind of the family. He was active on important issues on the Olvera St., and friendly to most of the vendors on this Street. Our family loved his newspaper head liners and enjoyed his humor and sense of humanity. I was quite young during those days, but I did see him not too long ago also, while he was still writing those 'sock you in the eye', head lines and enjoying his trade, and his camaraderie with folks on Olvera Street. He was a nice man. Mary Lou(Nevarez) Haugh
Gloria Goodman on June 17, 2009, at 12:03AM – #6
Melone has been a very close friend of my family since about 1948. Especially close to my Uncle Ralph Guerrero of the Guerrero's Cielito Lindo taquito stand.
Melone was like an other uncle to me. In 1953ish, in his musketeer outfit, accompanied me as the Olvera Street Mardigras king and queen. He was respectful and kind and had the funniest sense of humor. Melone I shall miss you forever.
Your friend always, Gloria Guerrero Goodman
Carolina Tanzini Ross on June 22, 2009, at 03:51PM – #7
It's been two weeks today that we buried my Father at Riverside National Cemetary. I am still trying to wrap my head around a loss that I have no words for. I am so honored and proud to be his daughter. When I was a little girl my dad would watch old movies with me. One in paticular had a song "Pennies from Heaven" by Bing Crosby I believe. My dad would sing a few lyrics and would ask "how much do you love me?" I would respond excitedly "two pennies daddy!" His eyes would twinkle, he would smile and chuckle sweetly. While he was in ICU he earned the nickname "The Moviestar/Rockstar" because he had so many visitors. My dad looked over at me and said "I may not be rich in money but I am sure rich in friends!" He squeezed my hand, twinkling eyes flashed his sweet, sweet smile. On behalf of myself and my family we wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You" to everyone that loved and cared for my father, Melone Sebastian Renaldo Tanzini.
Christina Mariscal on June 24, 2009, at 11:35AM – #8
It's so wonderful to see all of the loving words that people have shared about Melonie. He truly was an amazing man who touched the hearts of all those he met. He greeted everyone with his beautiful smile, and I am blessed to have known him for my 26 years of life.
Melonie, as many know, led the Posadas every year swinging his incense back & forth as we processed around Olvera Street. At the age of 2, I became his lead angel as we re-enacted the journey of Mary & Joseph to Bethlehem. I followed him diligently as we made our way around all of the puestos asking for shelter. Every time I saw him, Melonie still called me his angel. And now, I know that he is my angel in heaven, watching over me, my family and all those that he loved.
The pictures that are on display outside of his shop are only tiny glimpses into the life of Melonie. Words and pictures can never fully describe the genuine love, sincerity and soul of this man. He never failed to make the day just a little bit better...and all it took was his smile and his warm hug. Melonie was like a grandfather to me and he was so special to our family.
Melonie was truly a fixture on Olvera Street, and he will always remain a fixture in our hearts. I hope that we can learn from this beautiful soul how to love one another and carry ourselves in kindness. Melonie, thank you for being a part of our lives! You are, and always will be, our angel.
Gabriel Ortega on June 25, 2009, at 10:29PM – #9
RIP Tio. We will miss you. Thank you to all who have shared their words of love and memories.