Ottavio Belvedere, 1933 - 2007
Camarillo Raises $20,000 to support mesothelioma research
Ottavio was born on October 20, 1933 in Palermo Sicily (Italy), the first of eight children. Before his twentieth birthday he immigrated to Canada where he soon met the love of his life, Noella.
 |
Noella tells great stories about her days of courtship with Ottavio and how he serenaded her on their dates. They married in 1957 and moved to the United States two years later to plant roots of what would be a very happy life together.
Ottavio’s passion for life and his dedication to his family translated into hard work and long hours as the Belvederes began a humble bakery in Camarillo, California. By 1969 they outgrew their bakery, and Ottavio opened what would become a local landmark, Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant. With his wife and children by his side, Ottavio left his mark on the community of Camarillo with his smile, passion, sense of humor, and not to mention, his lasagna.
Sadly, in 2006, Ottavio was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that affects approximately 3-4,000 people in the United States every year. He sought treatment with Dr. Robert Cameron, Director of the Mesothelioma Program at the University of California at Los Angeles.
 |
Ottavio underwent a lung-sparing surgery known as a pleurectomy with decortication in the fall of 2006 in an effort to rid his chest of all visible tumor. Following surgery, Ottavio underwent radiation of his chest to ward off microscopic mesothelioma cells undoubtedly still lurking inside. However, his health continued to decline and by the spring of 2007 he developed difficulties swallowing and needed a feeding tube. The Belvederes are thankful for the prayers and many months of support they received from friends and family.
At the end of July 2007, the Belvederes decided they should do something about the need to fund mesothelioma research. They were aware that the cancer is rare and treatment options for patients are severely limited with no cure yet in sight.
So, partnering with the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, the Belvederes sent letters to over 300 friends, family, and colleagues asking for their support to fund new research. At the same time, the Belvederes have also raised awareness about the disease which few people have heard about and even less can pronounce.
To cap of the community’s efforts, Noella decided that they would donate 50% of the proceeds from both family restaurants, Ottavio’s and Ric’s, on November 5, 2007 to support PHLBI. So, invitations to friends, family, colleagues, mesothelioma patients, and advocates flooded mailboxes and the Belvederes received numerous RSVPs so that on the night of November 5, only standing room was available in the restaurants.
So many people crowded into Ottavio’s that the beautiful paintings of Italian City themes on the walls were obscured by the crowds. Many gave further donations the night of the event. To see a list of all who supported, visit the Tributes Wall.
The efforts of the Belvederes brought in over $20,000 to fund innovative mesothelioma research at PHLBI. And so PHLBI would like to extend many thanks to those who sent in donations, attended the dinner, and who have shared Ottavio’s story along the way. PHLBI hopes to continue raising awareness of mesothelioma and conduct much needed research.
 |
The one person who was deeply missed at the dinner event was Ottavio himself. At the age of 74, Ottavio Belvedere passed away peacefully at home on November 1, 2007, with his family by his side.
Just days prior to his passing, Ottavio and Noella celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a celebration of his family and close friends. Though grieving for her father’s loss, Ottavio’s daughter Julie says, “One beautiful thing is that we had the opportunity to express our love and devotion to one another as a family and personally to be able express my love to him and him to me. Why don't we talk like that all our lives to the people that mean so much?”
Ottavio’s own generosity and dedication to the community of Camarillo was evident by the many hundreds who turned out for the dinner on November 5th and the services held on November 6th and 7th. He loved teaching golf to his grandchildren (who call him Nonno, Italian for grandfather) as much as he enjoyed playing it, and spent most of his retirement gardening, watching soccer, traveling with Noella, and spending time with his adoring family. Ottavio is their beloved husband, father, and Nonno and he will be missed every day.
Ottavio is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Noella; three children, Julie, Ric, and Lenny; and his seven grandchildren, Vanessa, Dustin, Devyn, Tianna, Paris, Santina, and Danielle; and two great-grandchildren, Morgan and Camden.
Ottavio’s contributions live on in all those he has met and touched along the way.