July 2,1929 – November 4, 2025
Blas Antonio Mazzeo, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the age of 96.
Blas was born on July 2, 1929, to Blas Mazzeo-Schettino and Antonia Maria Mazzeo-Aleman and was raised in Santa Clara, Cuba. After high school, he came to the United States to study engineering, learning English during his year at Louisiana State University before transferring to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He graduated from MIT with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
On June 25, 1951, Blas married Alicia Iznaga Diaz. They moved to Nicaro, Cuba, where he worked at the Nicaro Nickel Plant for one year. In 1952, they returned to MIT where Blas completed his master’s degree. Afterward, he, Alicia, and their first-born son moved to Miami, where Blas taught electrical engineering at the University of Miami for three years. He then worked for Eastern Airlines, designing airplane instruments.
In 1957, the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale. Blas joined Airpax in Plantation, Florida, as an Electrical Engineer, achieving the highest score ever recorded on the company’s hiring examination. In 1968, Blas and Alicia proudly became American citizens. That same year, he co-founded Dynalco Corporation with three partners, serving as the Head of Engineering and designing over 70 distinct products. After Dynalco was sold to TRW in 1982, Blas continued to work there for three years before retiring in 1985. He and Alicia enjoyed traveling the world together in their retirement years.
Blas was a brilliant lifelong learner who cared deeply for his family, especially for Alicia during her long illness. He responded to the needs of both older and younger generations of his family in many ways such as providing for his parents and tutoring children and grandchildren in difficult subjects. Blas was always inventive, creating unique solutions to everyday problems. Even in his later years, he studied serious topics from The Great Courses, taking fastidious notes.
In his earlier years, Blas enjoyed an active lifestyle, playing tennis, boating, water skiing, weightlifting, hiking, and family camping trips. He had a great sense of humor, and particularly loved chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. All three Mazzeo generations lovingly refer to him as Grandpapa.
Blas was preceded in death by his wife, Alicia Iznaga Diaz, and his son, Anthony Iznaga Mazzeo.
He is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Blas (son) and Laurie Mazzeo, Alicia (daughter) and Jim Nalls, George (son) and Sharon Mazzeo, and Marta (daughter) and Gary Neil DuPree. Blas also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Aaron Mazzeo, Sean DuPree, Brian Mazzeo, Cristina McClure, Rebecca Erikson, Emily McNutt, Celeste Douglas, Michael Wolstencroft, Patrick Wolstencroft, Peter Mazzeo, and Alex Mazzeo, as well as 30 great-grandchildren.
Mary C Tillis/Worthington
November 16, 2025, 3:31 am
Your father is in my thoughts and prayers. What an incredible man he was! No wonder you are so amazing as well. God bless you all!
Cass Tillis Worthington
Gladys Moseley
November 16, 2025, 4:01 pm
What a profound loss for all who knew and loved him. He will remain in our hearts and his legacy lives on in the beautiful family he left behind.
Our love and prayers
Tom and “Gladicita”