The un-official “Mayor Of Alvarado Street” in Monterey has died. Mike Marotta, Sr is said to have passed away peacefully at home on Sunday at the age of 98. He was born in 1921 during the Warren Harding Administration, and played the accordion with his band at Monterey Airport, when Senator Robert Kennedy visited Monterey in 1968. “Pops” Marotta performed at more than 70 festivals, and told his kids (Mike Marotta, Jr. and Judi), that he might not be the best accordion player, but he wanted to be the best performer….someone who put smiles on people’s faces. His kids said he certainly did that with his friendliness, music and stories…..and that they “definitely hit the parent lottery with him”. Funeral services for the un-official mayor of Alvarado Street, Mike Marotta Senior, are slated to be held on December 7th….starting at 2 p.m. at Cypress Community Church in Monterey.
