Alfredo Pestana
October 27, 1940 ~ September 19, 2020
ALFREDO PESTANA, 79, a longtime resident and well known businessman of Vienna, VA, passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Fairfax Hospital.
Mr. Pestana is the son of the late Abraham and Angelina Pestana. He was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Mr. Pestana came to the United States as a Cuban refugee in the early 1960s and subsequently became a naturalized US citizen. Beginning from the ground up, he worked in the food industry in several New York and Washington area restaurants before joining in a partnership to operate the Marco Polo Restaurant in Vienna. The restaurant soon became noted for its wonderful Italian food, catering business, and large gathering capability for weddings, birthdays, anniversary parties, and especially its annual Mother’s Day buffet. Mr. Pestana was always the genial host. The restaurant was a Vienna landmark for more than thirty years—certainly a record of longevity in the ever changing northern Virginia dining scene.
Mr. Pestana was a pioneer in business relationships. He was a man of integrity and business acumen. He sponsored training and education programs for many employees so they could better their own futures. He will be sorely missed as a local businessman and person.
He is survived by his wife Mariana of fifty years and sister Aleida, He is also survived by one nephew, nieces, several great nieces and great nephews. Four other brothers, Alfonso, Avelino. Andres, and Armando have passed away. A Mass will be held on Monday September 28, 2020 at 12:30 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, and he will be laid to rest at 2:30 pm at Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax, Va.
Mr. Pestana is the son of the late Abraham and Angelina Pestana. He was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Mr. Pestana came to the United States as a Cuban refugee in the early 1960s and subsequently became a naturalized US citizen. Beginning from the ground up, he worked in the food industry in several New York and Washington area restaurants before joining in a partnership to operate the Marco Polo Restaurant in Vienna. The restaurant soon became noted for its wonderful Italian food, catering business, and large gathering capability for weddings, birthdays, anniversary parties, and especially its annual Mother’s Day buffet. Mr. Pestana was always the genial host. The restaurant was a Vienna landmark for more than thirty years—certainly a record of longevity in the ever changing northern Virginia dining scene.
Mr. Pestana was a pioneer in business relationships. He was a man of integrity and business acumen. He sponsored training and education programs for many employees so they could better their own futures. He will be sorely missed as a local businessman and person.
He is survived by his wife Mariana of fifty years and sister Aleida, He is also survived by one nephew, nieces, several great nieces and great nephews. Four other brothers, Alfonso, Avelino. Andres, and Armando have passed away. A Mass will be held on Monday September 28, 2020 at 12:30 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, and he will be laid to rest at 2:30 pm at Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax, Va.
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Great friend. We will miss him. Lillian and Tom Braman
He made restaurant hospitality into an art form, largely because he was a “people person”. He was interested in methods by which to enhance “customer satisfaction”, which extended far beyond preparing appetizing food. He carried the challenges of “physical impairments” with grace. He seldom complained. His conversations contained positivity plus an inquisitive search for methods by which to make his patrons comfortable and satisfied. He will be remembered as a benchmark for gentlemanly courtesy. He is missed by those who knew him best as well as those who new him less. We pray for his family and believe that God will grant mercy to those who mourn. Carole and Dave Yoho
Alfredo … Thank you soo very much for all the years being in Vienna . My husband , Charles Traina will be so glad to see you in Heaven. You have Blessed soo many people woth a wonderful restaurant and wonderful food . Also thank you soo much for the fun Marengo Lounge. So many fun nights dancing there. You have n will always been missed . For ys local Vienna nites , we will all have wonderful memories of all the special occassion dinnets and parties you had . Your waitets were always wonderful and such high standards if wonderful hospitality and service! No matter the fact they have put town gouses there, to many of us Viedna locals, it will Always be whefe your Marco Polo restaurant is ! I have no doubt that God has wonderful job for you in Heaven . He has Blessed you anx in return you gave been enabled to Bless soo many people in Vienna n the Northern Virginia n DC area over the years .
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a great man. I will cherish all the memories & all the joy he brought to us all. Thank you dear friend for being in our lives. Alfredo was truly a gift to my family & we will so miss him. Angels Among Us? In our hearts & prayers always.
Don Alfredo, I appreciate everything you thought me and also being by my side. You called me at least once a month and made sure I was successful at what I was doing. You we’re like a father to me when I first came back to the states. You were a co-signer for my first apartment.. List goes on and on of the great years we worked together. Rest In Peace Sir. I’ll be saying goodbye to you tomorrow. Thanks for everything!
I wish to send my sincere condolences to Mariana and the family on the passing of Alfredo. I am a commercial realtor who helped Alfredo lease his space for many years. He was definitely a good business man, a man of integrity and cared vey much for his employees. Barbara Bechtle
Mariana — I have so many fond memories of Alfredo. He was a very caring man and loved you and his family first and foremost. He always thought of Don, Emily and I for holidays over the years and I was always touched by that. Please know that I am keeping you close in my thoughts. Anne Fletcher
Mr. Pestana, was my first employer, I was a 15 year old kid in high-school and this was my first experience in a business environment. The memories I have working there, have carried me through the years. Marco Polo restaurant was an extremely busy and popular quality restaurant and working with Mr. Pestana was was a joy. I have to this day, never met a man of such class and dignity. You either had it or didn’t and Mr. Pestana (I called him Mr. Alfredo) was born with it. Thank you sir for being the best boss I ever knew. God bless sir.