Restaurant founder passes

Deirdre Newman

A longtime Orange County restaurateur who loved to regale diners

with his entertaining stories passed away at age 88 Tuesday in Costa

Mesa of natural causes.

Lorenzo Pasini, fondly known as “Papa Lorenzo,” was one of the

founders of the Spaghetti Bender in Newport Beach.

He and he his late wife, Ailie, also owned Joyce’s Restaurant,

which later became came The Golden Bear, The 39er Cafe and Joyce’s

Pantry, which is now the Sugar Shack -- all in Huntington Beach.

Papa Lorenzo was a constant fixture at the Spaghetti Bender for

more than 30 years -- gregariously greeting guests and captivating

them with his tales, said his grandson Michael Hoskinson.

“He was a guy who found something in common with people -- who

could charm and chat,” he said. “He was the archetype of the Italian

restaurant owner.”

Pasini was born in Riomaggiore, Italy. As a teenager, he and some

friends derailed a train, causing his uncle to send him to the U.S.

for a time. Italy’s loss was Southern California’s gain as Pasini

made his way from New York to Orange County in 1946.

The Pasini’s started out in the hospitality industry by working

for wealthy households like Clark Gable and Carol Lombard’s.

In 1969, they opened The Spaghetti Bender -- which was Papa’s

nickname in Italy, Michael said.

With business booming, they expanded the Bender in 1976. Michael

and Papa’s daughter Joyce, now run the restaurant. Although Papa had

not been a daily fixture at the Bender for the past five years, his

presence will definitely be missed, Michael said.

“We do really well on our own, but we’ll never be able to replace

him,” Michael said.

Pasini is survived by Joyce and Michael. They will hold a private

service in Huntington Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the

Newport Beach Police Department to help police officers in need. To

donate, contact the Community Relations desk at (949) 644-3662.