DOWNEY -- Gene (Egildo) Sposto, a longtime resident of Downey, died March 1 at age 86.One of 13 children born in Scranton, Penn., to Italian immigrants Giovanna and Arturo Sposto, he first moved to Southern California with his family in the early 1950s and eventually settled in Downey in 1957. A musician, mechanic and entrepreneur, he founded Gildo's Italian Market, Pizza and Deli in Norwalk in the 1970s, and Uncle Geno's Pizza and Deli in Downey in the 1980s. After retirement, he worked for a number of years at the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center. He was a member of UNICO and was one of the early members of the Downey Bocce Club. In recognition of his volunteer work, the city of Downey named him "Older American of the Year" in 2004. He is survived by his sister, Adeline De Renzes of Glenside, Penn.; Lillian, his wife of 62 years; sons, Richard, David and James, and their families, including five granddaughters, Shauntelle, Liana, Gina, Glennis and Lorraine; plus numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Downey.

********** Published: March 08, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 47