Robert "Bobby" Camarlinghi
Santa Cruz will be saying goodbye to the patriarch of the Camarlinghi clan on Thursday April 29, 2010. Robert "Bobby" Arthur Camarlinghi, 78, was born October 21, 1931 and died April 25, 2010, and will be missed by all who knew him. He is affectionately remembered by his children as a man you looked up to, as he personified a true father figure. Best known to the community as owner of Adolph's Italian Family-style Restaurant, a landmark in Santa Cruz for over 50 years.
In the large family of animated and sometimes cantankerous personalities, Bobby was always the calm and gentle soul who warmed your heart and brought a smile to your face. Always a pillar of fashion he was admired and adored by the family and they will all miss his smile, his hugs, and the loving kiss on his shiny head. Everyone enjoyed spending time with Bobby at the family functions.
Part of the Italian heritage spread throughout the heart of Santa Cruz community, Bobby was true to his family, community and church, which he attended regularly. Bobby's copious generosity touched the lives of many whether it was working in a soup kitchen, or volunteering to drive those in need, or simply taking up collections at mass. He enjoyed giving. Truly an exceptional individual Bobby Camarlinghi was a giving soul and he embodied characteristics that are rarely seen in this world.
Bobby took pleasure in family above all, and then golfing, dancing, traveling, and volunteering. He enjoyed his yearly fishing trips with close friends and family. He loved and talked often of his travels across the country with his lifelong friends.
The large and loving Camarlinghi clan extends throughout Santa Cruz and various other locations in California. Bobby is survived by his wife Ardilla and daughter Marina, son Michael, son Mathew and grandson Luke; son Marc and daughter-in-law Diana and two granddaughters Madison and Ashley; nieces Barbara Aluffi and Cindy Famularo and husband Chuck; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Adolph and Georgia Camarlinghi; brother Rudolph and wife Norma, brother Gilbert Camarlinghi and nephew Mark Camarlinghi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Ave., Capitola, Ca. on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Friends are invited to call at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. Santa Cruz, Ca. on Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Volunteer Center Transportation Department, 1010 Emeline Ave. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060.
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IVANO SAYS (CONT'D): In "La Nostra Costa" (P.68) I mention Adolph's Restaurant and on page 75 I have two extended end notes about the history of the Restaurant, the Camarlinghi family and also 'Smitty'(Grover Smith) the ever faithful bartender. When I think of Bobby, I always think of 'Smitty' . For a long, long time, the two together made Adolph's the place to be in Santa Cruz. Addio Bobby, and please say hello for me when you meet 'Smitty' "Across IL Ultimo Ponte".
10 comments:
I really can't believe he's gone... He truly was special and one of those that touched so many lives. Our lives will never be the same without him,He always made you laugh, I will never forget such a great man. Our heart felt condolences go out the wonderful Camarlinghi family.
Ivano,
Thanks for the Remembrance. I don't remember Bobby , but I do remember going to ADOLPH"s with my dad . I remmber how elegant the place was,the beautiful bar etc. I also ate there and what a meal it was . RENO
Thanks Jen and Reno for your comments. In 1980, (as I write in my book, P.371) Bronco's extended family held a celebration at Adolph's honoring him on his 80th Birthday. We had an accordianist there and Bronco sang some of his favorlite songs. Even at age 80, he had one of the best singing voices 'su per la costa'.
Thanks for the memories Bobby.
ivn0
Pretty sad, isn't it Ivano! These folks were legendary; I remember delivering crates of lettuce from our ranch to his mom at the old Adolph's restaurant on Front St. in the '50's; she was such a good cook, and such a good businesswoman, and she taught her kids well; our families go way back. MDC
Ivano,
I do remember your father's great singing voice...
As always,
Norma (Cantarutti)
Ivano,
We also had a 80th Birthday dinner for all of the relatives,family for my mom'such wonderful food and times to remember.
It was my hang out in the "Good Ole Days" living and growing up in Santa Cruz. When I received my official greetings from "Uncle Sam", i still remember that Bobby and Smitty opened up a large bottle of champagne to celebrate my service days down at Ft. Ord.
I've been gone from the area for over 47 years,but still have such fond memories of those days-
Hope that Bobby and Smitty are looking down at everyone with a good drink in their hands.
Roberto
Hi, Ivan,
After turning 21 in 1957 and, more specifically, after serving my two-year stint in the Army in 1960, my buddies and I who grew up in Santa Cruz and were still single mostly frequented the following watering holes:
Adolph's, owned by the Carmarlinghi Family.
Colonial Inn, owned by Don Stefani.
Facelli's, owned by Louie Facelli.
Santa Cruz Hotel, owned by John Righetti and Al Castagnola.
Skyroom, owned by Danny Canepa.
Edgewater (in Capitola), owned by Louie Aluffi.
Note the commonality!
A 1954 Santa Cruz High classmate of mine, Rod Jensen, once told me that everyone should have been born Italian because we would be better prepared to enjoy life to its fullest.
-- Len, Capitola
P.S. My favorite at Adolph's: The minestrone soup -- all you could eat.
Ciao, tutti,
To add my sentiments, may I say that I greatly miss all the Italians I used to know and love. There are none here.
One of the most often heard sayings from me is: "Not everyone can be Italian all the time, but everyone should try once in a while."
Besides the great people, we also have no wonderful restaurants such as have been mentioned. Nothing compares with real Italian cooking.
Bobby Camarlinghi and I were born on the same day, but 3 years apart. As Ivano says, "we shall all meet again beyond l'ultimo ponte."
Saluti, Gino
(lonesome in Oregon)
Hi Ivan......I really like the way you keep us informed.......I know I was on the list.....but this time it was missing.....I'm so sorry about Bobby C....once work at Adolph"s....Like I worked at the boardwalk with Jim Ceragioli Those were the days....Thankyou...Roberta
So sorry to hear about bobbie passing away .what a sweet soul.my husband bill lippert was a bartender there also with smitty and knew the family well. Camarlinghi,s are a wonderful family i went to school ith barbara. So sad.and so sad to hear mark passed away also. What a wonderful fun family. Kandi carbone lippert. My mom and dad owned gin &vins liquor on water street.
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