Gary A. Mastrandrea

Captain Gary A. Mastrandrea USN (RET.), 81, after a courageous 23 year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare neurodegenerative disease, passed peacefully at home February 11, 2021 with his wife of 54 years, Donna, and daughters at his side.

Gary was born in Portland, Oregon on October 16, 1939 to Joseph Mastrandrea and Jennie Oliver Mastrandrea. As a young child he and his two brothers were ensconced in a large Italian extended family. He fondly remembered big family gatherings on Sunday with a table laden with delicious Italian food.

The family moved to Sunnyvale, California when Gary was 13. Gary, a natural athlete, excelled in all sports and was the captain of the football team at Fremont High School where he graduated in 1957. In those days Sunnyvale was a small town, and everyone came to the Friday night football games to celebrate the Fremont Indians. After high school Gary earned a B.S. in business from San Jose State University and later earned a MBA from the University of Michigan.

Upon graduation from San Jose, he accepted a position with Philco Ford Corp. Western Development Lab in Palo Alto, California. During those days, young men were subject to the draft, so Gary decided to preempt the draft and join the Navy. He was accepted into Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ensign in August of 1962. Since he had a strong business background, he then went to Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia. After graduating in 1963 he was ordered to the USS Perkins for his first of many Navy tours.

After two years on the Perkins he was assigned to the Naval Supply Center in San Diego. This assignment turned out to be the most important assignment of his career, for it was there that he met Donna Carpinelli, who would become his loving wife.

Gary, Donna, and their daughters Julie and Laura had a rich and full life in the Navy. They enjoyed many duty stations, friends they met, and the opportunity to travel throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. His responsibilities included mostly contracting and logistics policy development. His final duty station was Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania when he retired in 1988. He started a new career as an assistant vice president at the South Carolina Research Authority, responsible for budgeting and financing development as well as contracting/grant operations. Gary was diagnosed with PSP in 1998, but he continued to work until 2002. After this retirement, Gary and Donna hit the road and did a lot of traveling including a long overdue trip to Sicily.

Family life for the Mastrandreas included involvement in sports and both girls played all of them. Gary was a devoted and loving father and he coached many of his daughters' teams over the years. Tennis was also a family sport, and Donna and Gary played doubles and mixed doubles at Snee Farm Country Club. He and Donnna were members of Christ Our King Catholic Church community. As his disease became more aggressive the couple enjoyed shorter trips, movie dates and socializing with family and friends. By this time grandchildren had started to arrive, and sharing grandchildren was a great joy for both Gary and Donna.

Despite the progression of his illness Gary was able to stay positive. In fact, his positive outlook and his ability to find satisfaction in his day-to-day life is one of Gary's greatest legacies. Gary did not complain or bemoan his situation; instead he maintained his sweet disposition. Long loved and admired, Gary's attitude and dignity while enduring this difficult disease serves as a real inspiration to his family and friends. Gary donated his brain to MUSC Brain Bank to allow researchers the opportunity to understand more about this disease and hopefully move towards a cure for those living with PSP.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Donna of Mount Pleasant; two daughters, Julie Mastrandrea Ratliff (Craig) of Mount Pleasant, Laura Mastrandrea McAlhaney (Matt) of Beaufort, SC; and five grandchildren, Lydia, Leo, and Luca Ratliff, and Cape and Cece McAlhaney; brothers, Ken Mastrandrea (Jean) of Newport Beach, CA and David Mastrandrea (Patricia) of San Carlos, CA; nephews and nieces, and their families, Tod Mastrandrea, Megan Alnwick, Dina Treacy, Michael Mastrandrea, and Steven Nagy; and cousins across the country.

The family plans to have a private graveside service with military honors. A memorial celebration of life will be scheduled at a future post-COVID time.

To view the funeral service please visit the following: https://youtu.be/fZPzWatebX8

The family is deeply grateful for the care, concern, and guidance provided by Home Care Plus and especially for Lutheran Hospice who assisted in the final months. Those who wish to do so may make a donation in Gary's name to Cure PSP, 1216 Broadway, Floor 2, New York, NY 10001 or Lutheran Hospice, 1885 Rifle Range Road, #46, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.