Gasper Spadaro

Gasper was the first of four children born to Giuseppe and Vitina Spadaro of Marettimo Sicily on

December 21, 1947

Gasper attended both public and parochial Schools here on the Monterey Peninsula. And

elected to Student Body Vice President of Junipero Memorial High School.1966. While at

Junipero, he led the junior varsity and varsity football squads as Quarterback for the respective

teams.

For several years, Gasper worked alongside his father, Giuseppe Spadaro, fishing for sardines, calamari, salmon, rock cod, and albacore.

Gasper attended USF in San Francisco before joining the US Navy Reserves in 1969. He

performed his two years Active-Duty requirement during the Vietnam War serving as

Communications Yeoman for Attack Squadron VA-94 and Personnel Petty Officer for VAW 111

Det four aboard the aircraft carrier US Coral Sea. Gasper rose to the rank of third-class Petty.

Officer during his military career.

In 1972 upon returning from his active-duty status he went to work at Kramer Bros Jewelers in

Downtown Monterey. He joined the 20-30 International club of the Monterey Peninsula and

served two terms as president of that organization. He also served as co-chair and then.

chairman of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telephone center of Monterey from 1976 thru

1981

He left Kramer Brothers in 1978 and went to work for Goldsmiths Jewelers acting as the relief.

manager for all six stores, then in1981 he was made manager of Village Jewelers in the Del

Monte Shopping Center until May 1989.

Gasper opened Gasper’s Jewelers. In September of 1989 and has managed and operated the

store for the past 38 years.

Following his election to the Old Monterey Business Association’s Board of Directors, he was

made first Vice President and then elected to President of the organization. During his

Presidency: The OMBA with support from the City of Monterey started the Monterey Farmers

Market, which was instrumental in filling eighteen vacant storefronts and building in the

Downtown District. He was also president of the OMBA when California made Monterey a

Main Street City. Gasper provided the knowledge and insight on how to keep Downtown a vital

and productive part of Monterey.

Starting in 1991 Gasper has served as a Board of Director, Secretary, Treasurer and President

(2002-2004) of the Compari Club of Monterey. And is the longest active acting Secretary of the

club. He was nominated as Compari of the Year in 1998

He has also served as an active Board of Director of Festa Italia since 2008 just finishing his

18th year as chairperson for the Steak and Sausage booth for the festival.

He is a member of the Paisano Club of Monterey since 2004, a Life Member of the Monterey

Elks lodge and member for 34 years and a member of the Pacheco club.of Monterey.

Gasper has also cooked professionally for the following restaurants both present and past,

here on the Monterey Peninsula before Retail and during.

The Italian Village.

The Cellar Restaurant

Lou’s Fish Grotto

Casa Carmela

Bertolucci’s Restaurant

Gold Fork Restaurant

Gasper has four children and four grandchildren.

ITALIAN HERITAGE SOCITEY HONOREE 2026