Vincenzo Valentino Cortazzo, a 48-year Malibu resident, died April 16 on Quadra Island, British Columbia. He was 82 years old.
Born in Staten Island, N.Y. in 1926, Cortazzo joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and fought in World War II. He then became a firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 1957, and retired from the department as fire captain in 1983 with the Medal of Valor.
Cortazzo helped start the 18-year-old Malibu Boardriders Association, which has dedicated this year’s “Call to the Wall” surf contest, taking place June 20 at Surfrider Beach, in his honor.
Cortazzo is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia; his two sons, Daniel and Christopher; sisters Josephine and Rose; brother Arnold; daughter-in-law Heather and granddaughters Samara and Camille.
A public memorial is scheduled for June 20 at 2:40 p.m. at Surfrider Beach, followed immediately by a traditional Hawaiian paddle-out ceremony at 3 p.m. More information can be obtained by calling 310.600.1106.