Teresa G. (Scarsella) Kozar

Teresa Kozar, 93, of Youngstown, was called home by the angels on Monday, February 10th, 2025 at Caprice Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Teresa Giovanna Kozar was born in Youngstown, Ohio on August 13th, 1931, the first child of Luigi and Mary Grace (Canacci) Scarsella. Shortly after the birth of her sister Concetta, the family moved to Fagnano Alta, L’Aquila Italy to care for Luigi’s grandfather. They resided there for 12 years during which time another sister Vicky was born.  Teresa finished her schooling and was married to Marino Pettorelli.  Shortly after WWII the entire family returned home to Youngstown.

Teresa and Marino had three children: a son Anthony who passed shortly after birth, a daughter Concetta and a son Louis who passed away in 2004. Marino tragically passed during surgery when the children were infants.

Teresa’s parents took over Al’s Bar and Grill on Pyatt St. and Market in 1957.  It would evolve into what would become the center of the family’s lives and become Scarsella’s Restaurant. Teresa dedicated her entire life to the restaurant’s success.

It was there she met the love of her life, Leon J Kozar.  Charmed by his comedic personality, they were married on Oct. 23rd, 1965. They had two sons John and Joseph, bestowing upon them all of their love and affection.

Tersa encouraged her daughter, Connie, to take over Scarsella’s Restaurant, which she did in 1981. It has become a community favorite for all lovers of Italian food for over 60 years. Teresa loved her customers and they loved her. All recount her kindness and generosity, making them feel as though they, too, were a part of the family. Most referred to her as Mama, or Grandma and cherished when she spoke to them beautifully in Italian.

Teresa was a lover of music and dance, seemingly glidng on her feet at all family weddings and gatherings.

She was a living example of the rewards of hard work and dedication to family. She and her sisters instilled a fraternal bond among their children, with all of the cousins rarely apart from one another.

She had great affection for all of her grandchildren; Dale Kushma, Sean (Stephanie) Kushma, Maureen (Robert) LaCivita, Jessica, Gianna, and Joseph Kozar, Ave, Sophia, John Morgan, Max, and Christopher Kozar. Her two great grandchildren, Maria and Michael LaCivita, as well as her many nieces, nephews and Godchildren whom she cherished until her passing.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her loving husband Leon J Kozar, daughter Connie (Dale) Kushma, her sister Vicki (Felix) Battista and her two sons John (Melissa) Kozar and Joe (Toni) Kozar.

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents Luigi and Mary Grace Scarsella, first husband Marino Pettorelli, two sons Anthony and Louis Pettorelli and her sister Connie(Mario) Massaro.

Friends and family may pay their respects to Teresa on Sunday, February 16,  2025 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.

There will be additional calling hours on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 11:00 am until 11:50 am in the chapel of St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Dr., Boardman, where a Funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 pm with the Very Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw J.C.L, V.G. as celebrant.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown. 

The family would like to thank all of the patrons of Scarsella’s Restaurant, who became part of Teresa’s extended family, as well as the staff and nurses at Caprice Health who took gentle care of her in her final year.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be sent in her name to St. Charles Church at 7345 Westview Dr., Boardman, Ohio 44512.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Teresa’s family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Teresa G. (Scarsella) Kozar, please visit our floral store.