REMEMBERING FIGLIA DELLA COSTA EMMA FERRARI MUSITELLI

IVANO SAYS: THE REMEMBERANCE BELOW WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL:
www.santacruzsentinel.com


Emma Ferrari Musitelli [Auntie Emma] passed away peacefully of natural causes at her Westside Santa Cruz home, surrounded by her loving family on February 5th, 2011. She was 91, and a resident of Santa Cruz County for 90 years.

She was born to Battista John Ferrari and Antonietta Mattei Ferrari on February 24, 1919, in the Butchertown District of San Francisco [now known as the Bayview/Hunters Point District].

At 1 ½ years of age, along with her mother and sister Effie, she traveled in a Model T Ford to her new family home in Davenport, over the treacherous Devil's Slide roadway, driven by a neighbor, Mr. Collins, who prayed the rosary the entire way. That must have somehow influenced her, as she prayed the rosary daily until her passing.

After attending local schools, she graduated from Smith's School of Business.

She played the guitar and often accompanied her father as he sang songs from his native Piedmont in northern Italy.

She met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Musitelli, who preceded her in death in 2000, as classmates at the one room Agua Puerca schoolhouse at Davenport Landing, north of Santa Cruz. They were married in Salinas, CA on November 18, 1958.

She was known for her generosity, wonderful upbeat personality, and hospitality. During WWII, Emma and her parents hosted many card games at the ranch house, sharing food and coffee, with members of the 54th Coast Artillery Regiment, of which a subordinate unit was co-located on the Ferrari family cattle ranch north of Davenport, establishing lifelong friendships.

Although Emma and Bob did not have any children of their own, they were blessed with seven loving nieces and nephews, of which six survive her, as follows: Emma Garbini Bertoli, Norma Garbini Quilici [Paul], Dolores Del Chiaro Locatelli, Donald Innocenti [Claudia], Marvin Del Chiaro [Elaine], and Robert Innocenti, numerous cousins, and 14 great, 25 great-great, and 2 great-great-great nephews and nieces.

Besides her husband Bob, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Giovanna Garbini Dorsa, Marie Innocenti, Florence Laurendine, and Effie Del Chiaro, and her niece Elizabeth "Betty" Innocenti Le Baron.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. David Beck, for his loving care, all of his staff, and Hospice of Santa Cruz.

The funeral procession will leave Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA on Friday February 11, 2011 at 9:30 am for Holy Cross Catholic Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am. The vigil prayer service will be held at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm. Friends are invited to call at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Thursday from 1:00 pm until service time. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to express your condolences to the family and sign the online guest book.

Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, or your favorite charity.

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ADDIO EMMA. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS IL ULTIMO PONTE. IVANO

PHIL NETTO - FIGLIO DI SANTA CROCE- REMEMBERED

Phil Netto passed away Wednesday evening, Sept. 1st after a sudden illness, with his family at his side.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marie, his two girls Kelly and Kristy Netto, his granddaughter Whittaker Miller and his faithful companion Sulley. He is also survived by his brother David Netto of West Hills, Ca., and many nieces, nephews and Godchildren.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Edith Netto and his sister Loralee Kingdom.
Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Phil graduated from SCHS in 1957. He attended Hartnell College, Cabrillo College and San Francisco State College. He then was drafted into the Army in 1962 and proudly served until 1964. His proudest memory was standing Honor Guard at President Kennedy's funeral, where he stood at attention for 16 hours straight. After serving his country he returned to Santa Cruz and began working for Lone Star Industries in Davenport, Ca. where he continued to work for 33 years. He met his wife to be Marie Maranta in 1964; four months later they were married at Holy Cross Church.
Phil's involvement in sports spanned over 40 years. He coached basketball at every level, girls and boys, sharing his knowledge of the sport that he loved, with patience, passion and a voice that could be heard throughout any gym in Santa Cruz. His involvement with Special Olympics was also very important to him and his family. After retirement he enjoyed tending to his flower garden, feeding his birds and being tortured by his beloved Giants. He had the gift for storytelling; even if you had heard once, he always made you want to hear it again. Phil also enjoyed riding around the Westside with his granddaughter Whittaker in his Chevy pick up.
Known to so many as "Coach" or "Big Phil", this gentle man, with a big heart, strong hands will be missed by all the people whose lives he touched.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, September 6, 2010 at Holy Cross Church, 126 High St. in Santa Cruz at 11:00 a.m. The Rosary will be held on Sunday, September 5, 2010 beginning at 7:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Church. A committal service will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Holy Cross Mausoleum, 2271 7th Ave. in Santa Cruz beginning at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Cross Elementary School, 150 Emmet St. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060 or Cabrillo College Woman's Basketball Program, 6500 Soquel Dr. Aptos, Ca. 95003.
Arrangements are under the direction of Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz. Please visit our web site www.pacificgardenschapel.com to sign the online guest registry.
Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on September 3, 2010


IVANO SAYS: In my book, “La Nostra Costa” (Our Coast), Chapter 27 (Rancio Di Bronco, Casa Di Valentina) page 307, I write:

A second-hand Willy’s Jeep Truck was one of Bronco’s first purchases. Bronco (my father) and John (my brother) would park the truck (usually facing the wrong way) along the curb
next to our new house (729 Seaside St.). Phil Netto, the son of Edith and Manuel Netto, had the dubious privilege of attending Santa Cruz High School with me. Along with his parents, brother David, and sister Laurie (Loralee), Phil lived across the street from our house at 722 Seaside St. Phil often told me that he "cursed that infernal truck", for waking him up so early in the morning (when Bronco and John left for the ranch). Sorry, Phil if we had had more money we could have bought a less noisy truck.

And in a Chapter Endnote on Page 315 I add: "Phil Netto was a star basketball player at Santa Cruz High School, circa 1956 to 1957. Credible reports have it that his father Manuel, who worked for many years at the Portland Cement Plant, had been even a better player than Phil."

Addio Phil. Until we meet again "Across Il Ultimo Ponte"

NICHOLAS PAGNINI MEMORIAL FUND

IVANO SAYS: Len Klempnauer alerted me to article below which was first published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ Contact information for the NICHOLAS PAGNINI MERMORIAL FUND can be found at the end of the article.

Nicholas Pagnini: Grocery store owner, fire chief, coach was 'unofficial mayor' of Felton
By Emily Nord - Sentinel correspondent
Posted: 07/07/2009 06:18:26 AM PDT (Santa Cruz High School Photo added)

Nick Pagnini always had a lot on his plate, but to him, everything was too delicious to pass up.
Grocery store owner, fire chief, high school football coach, mentor, hero, husband and father Nicholas Roy Pagnini died June 6 after an eight-year battle with cancer.
As a lifelong resident of Felton, Pagnini was known for giving his all to his family and the community.
"He was such a great man, he was so kind and generous," said wife Beverly Pagnini. "He always gave 100 percent to everyone."
Nicholas Pagnini was born Aug. 4, 1936, at Hanley Hospital in Santa Cruz to Catherine and Roy Pagnini. His parents raised Pagnini in Felton, where Roy owned and operated Roy's grocery store since 1934.
He attended Santa Cruz High School where he met his future wife and pursued his passion for surfing.
After he graduated all-CCAL in football in 1954, Pagnini attended Hartnell College and worked for the California Department of Forestry. In 1955, he moved to Hawaii and surfed every day. Later that year, he moved back to California and attended Orange Coast Junior College while working at Disneyland.
In 1956, Pagnini enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of sergeant. After three years of service, he came back to his hometown of Felton to work at Roy's and marry Beverly at St. John's Catholic Church in 1959.
Pagnini took over the family business when his father died in 1976. The store, and Pagnini himself, became an institution in the community. For his high energy and kindness, his legions of customers named him the unofficial "mayor of Felton," and he was awarded SLV's Man of the Year in 1979.

In addition to running the store, Pagnini joined the Zayante Fire Department where he was an EMT and captain, later becoming Assistant Battalion Chief. Pagnini's experience at the department and dedication to the community made him a key player in the rescue operation during the floods of 1982.
"He is the moral compass for this organization," said Zayante Fire Chief Jeff Maxwell. "He was a great leader because he supported every individual. He was always there to give us advice and directions because he wanted the best for everyone."
An avid sports fan, Pagnini began coaching freshmen football at San Lorenzo Valley High School and was president of the Booster's Club. In 2006, Pagnini was inducted into the SLVHS Hall of Fame as an honorary member for his services to the school.
In 1990, Pagnini sold Roy's to good friend Bob Locatelli, who continues to run the store as New Leaf today. Pagnini remained active in his job with the fire department, the school, worked at the Trout Farm for a few years and as a devoted family man.
In his rare spare time, Nick loved to spend time with his family in Northstar resort in California where they would swim in the summer and ski in the winter. He liked to watch classic movies, listen to Hawaiian music, try new restaurants and tell stories of San Lorenzo Valley's history to his family and friends.
Pagnini is survived by his wife Beverly, and two daughters Dana Pagnini and Jennifer Pagnini-Gedymin.

Nicholas Pagnini Memorial Fund

The Nicholas Pagnini Memorial Fund was established to help local high school athletes and honor the memory of Nicholas Pagnini. To donate, make a check out to the Nicholas Pagnini Memorial Fund and send it to the Pagnini family, P.O. Box 336, Felton, CA 95018.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADA

PHOTO ABOVE: ITALIAN PASSPORT PHOTO OF ADA MARIE CAMPIONI - C.1930. TOP PHOTO: ADA [FOREGROUND] WITH HER GOOD FRIEND VANDA DEGLI ESPOSTI, SANTA CRUZ, CA., C.1955. (PHOTOS COURTSEY OF GINO CAMPIONI.)

Ciao Ivano,

On the 13th of February it will be the 112th birthday anniversary of my mother, Ada Maria (Berti) Campioni. Her passport gives her name as Maria Ada. She was never sure which way it should be, but always signed "Ada Maria".

She used to say that she was born just one day after Abraham Lincoln. She always bemoaned the fact that she was born on the 13th, claiming that it was unlucky. Perhaps she was right, as she had a very hard life. She worked full time from the age of 9 until she was unable to work any more.

You are well aware of the labors our parents endured. They gave all they had for us, their children.

Speaking of Abraham Lincoln, around 1947, while waiting for the city bus at the corner of Bay and Mission Streets, I met a lady sitting on the bench. She told me that as a small girl, she once sat on the lap of Abraham Lincoln. She was in her late 90s when I met her. We span a long time, amico mio.

Saluti, Gino

ADDIO MI BELLA GILDA

IVANO SAYS: WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW IS AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL REGARDING THE LIFE AND DEATH OF GILDA STAGNARO. THIS WONDERFUL WOMEN WAS ONE OF "LA NOSTRA COSTA'S" BIGGEST FANS. WHEN VISITING HER RESTURANT SHE WOULD CALL ME 'BELLO' AND I WOULD CALL HER 'BELLA'. THE PHOTO DIRECTLY ABOVE IS OF GILDA TAKEN FROM THE SENTINEL ARTICLE.

THE PHOTO AT THE TOP WAS TAKEN LAST YEAR AT "GILDA'S" BY MARVIN DEL CHIARO. GILDA HONORED ME BY POSING WITH THE 'OLD RANCERE' AND FRIENDS INSIDE THE 'STAGNARO HALL OF FAME'. GILDA IS ON THE 'RANCERE'S' RIGHT, 'LaNORMA' (NORMA DINELLI WILSON) IS ON HIS LEFT,AND ALVERDA ORLANDO,SANTA CRUZ AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN,IS ON THE END HOLDING A COPY OF 'LA NOSTRA COSTA'.


January 5, 2008
Gilda Stagnaro, 'queen of the wharf,' dies outside her restaurant after coronary incident
J.M. BROWN
SENTINEL STAFF WRITER
SANTA CRUZ -- Gilda J. Stagnaro, the beloved matriarch of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf who for more than 35 years ran the landmark family restaurant that bears her name, died Friday morning after collapsing in the driving wind and rain just 90 feet from the business. She was 83.


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GILDA J. STAGNARO

BORN: March 31, 1924.
DIED: Jan. 4, 2008.
EDUCATION: Santa Cruz High School, 1941.
SURVIVORS: Sister Yolanda 'Lindy' Stagnaro Dunn, brother Robert 'Big Boy' Stagnaro, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
SERVICES: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel,
1050 Cayuga St. Private interment.
Pop Out

The official cause of death was not immediately available Friday, but family members said her cardiologist determined Stagnaro suffered a coronary-related incident outside Gilda's Restaurant shortly after arriving to work about 9 a.m. Stagnaro, who had a history of heart trouble and two hip replacements, was pronounced dead at Dominican Hospital a short time later.
"It is how she wanted to die," said nephew Geoffrey Dunn, a Santa Cruz author and historian. "She told everybody she wanted to die with her boots on at the wharf."
Dunn said several people reported seeing her fall near her parking space outside Gilda's, but it was not clear if the high wind from Friday's severe winter storm contributed to her death. Ironically, Stagnaro told the Sentinel in May 1971 that she loved spending stormy days at the wharf, much like the one that caused widespread power outages and numerous traffic accidents Friday.
"I love these days," she told reporter Wallace Wood for an article about Gilda's, which is known for its breakfasts and sandwiches. "The trouble is that the wharf makes me seasick, it moves so much."
After a brief career as a school secretary, Stagnaro, the ninth of 11 children born to an immigrant Italian fishing and market dynasty whose first business opened in Santa Cruz in 1884, launched Gilda's on the site of her family's former Sport Fishers Coffee Shop. Gilda's is the last holding of the family corporation, C. Stagnaro Fishing Co., that she and brother Robert "Big Boy" Stagnaro, 79, have headed for several decades. The company is not connected to the Stagnaro Bros. Seafood Inc., also on the wharf, or the former Stagnaro Liquors in Santa Cruz, run by other Stagnaro families.
Stagnaro's older sister, Yolanda "Lindy" Stagnaro Dunn, 92, was the last to see Stagnaro alive Friday when she left the house the two women have shared for two decades on the family compound near Bay and Laguna streets. Dunn said her sister, who had been complaining of heart problems in recent days but seemed in good spirits, looked "beautiful" as she left carrying Dunn's Burberry tote bag.
"I asked her, 'Are you sure you can make it,' because it was quite stormy this morning," Dunn said. "She was very anxious to get to the wharf. She lived a life on the wharf -- that is where she was the happiest."
Besides her brother and sister, Stagnaro is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and more than 100 cousins. She never married and had no children.
Relatives, friends and civic leaders remembered her as "queen of the wharf," where she continued to work 40 hours per week as a hostess, cashier and sometime waitress and table busser who knew customers on a first-name basis. She was a longtime advocate of saving the wharf when piling replacement and other costs associated with maintaining one of California's oldest wharfs threatened its closure numerous times.

"It's a total tragedy -- she is definitely going to be missed," said six-term Santa Cruz City Councilman Mike Rotkin, who has dined at Gilda's regularly. "She is an institution in the community."
Nephew Malio Stagnaro said he and brother Dino will continue to manage the restaurant with their father, "Big Boy," but said it will be impossible to fill his aunt's shoes. The restaurant was closed Friday, along with the rest of the wharf, because of the storm, but will reopen whenever the wharf opens.
"We are kind of in the grieving process, but right now we are planning on holding down the fort," Malio Stagnaro said. "She basically was the caretaker of the family. If anyone was sick or in trouble, they came to Gilda."
Noting that Gilda's didn't close during the Loma Prieta earthquake or 1982 flood, Geoffrey Dunn said, "She would have been livid that they closed the wharf on Friday."
"Gilda was the queen of the wharf," said Bill Tysseling, executive director of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. "She ran the restaurant like it was her own kitchen, welcomed everyone like they were the next-door neighbor, treated the regulars like they were family."
Born in March 1924 in Santa Cruz to Cottardo Stagnaro Jr. and his wife Battistina Loero, she graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1941. She was named after a sister born before her who died of pneumonia at age 2.
In the 1940s, after working at Mission Hill Junior High School, Stagnaro joined the family's wharf businesses begun by her immigrant grandfather Cottardo Stagnaro Sr. She managed the coffee shop that later turned into her own restaurant, where relatives said she was not above performing any job, including seating diners, taking orders, cleaning tables and keeping the books.
"There was a point in the 1970s and 1980s that she worked 16 to 18 hours a day," Geoffrey Dunn said. "It was pretty phenomenal. She did whatever needed to be done."
After she suffered a heart attack about 12 years ago, he said, "We all tried to caution her to slow down. Quite frankly, she didn't want to."
Rotkin, whose son used to worked at the restaurant, said, "These are working class people who, although they own their own business, never saw themselves as anything other than salt-of-the-earth workers. They were incredibly gracious hosts."
Brother "Big Boy" called his sister's death "a great loss" for the family and the community.
"There wasn't a person that she never met that she never loved -- that was her great trait in life," he said. "It was the Santa Cruzans that gave the family the chance to become successful."
Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, a former mayor and longtime councilman, said, "It's hard to imagine the wharf without her." She was "always a leader of the wharf" whose "life was her family and the restaurant."
Contact J.M. Brown at 429-2410 or jbrown@santacruzsentinel.com.

LEN KLEMPNAUER SAYS;

Ivan,

I copied your photo of Gilda Stagnaro et al and re-posted it to the Class of '54 web site.

Incidentally, one of our SCHS teachers from the
1950s, Sharmon Nash, is a daily customer at Gilda's.

Al Mitchell, former lifeguard, board surfer and Mission Hill Jr. High teacher, who was a member of the Class of '54, is also a frequent customer. Caro Ivano:


LaNORMA SAYS:

Our dear friend and fellow Italian Gilda Stagnaro has passed away….
She died on the wharf by her restaurant as she had always said
how she wanted to go.

We all feel so sad and she will be sorely missed by all….she truly
Was a great lady and proud to be an Italo-American.

LOUIE MORO: EULOGY IN ITALIANO

Ivano Franco Comelli says: In answer to some of your questions, the posting on Lou Moro: Furlan,Figlio Della Costa, American, was a eulogy to Lou, that I delivered at the Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz. My good friend Gino Campioni was good enough to translate it into Italian. I originally posted it as a comment to the original article, however, I was so impressed with Gino's translation (my writting always reads better in his Italian) that I decided to publish it at the top of the "Blagga".
I think Lou would have been pleased. ivn0


LOUIE MORO: FURLAN, FIGLIO DELLA COSTA, AMERICANO: (Traduzione in Italiano per Gino Campioni)


Incontrai Lou Moro nel 1955. Era piu di mezzo secolo da questo tempo. Dwight D. Eisenhower ere il presidente degli stati uniti. La guerra coreana era appena finita e certi noialtri non avevamo ma sentito rammentare Vietnam. La vita era buona. Anzi tutto, un italiano, Rocky Marciano era il campione mondiale dei pesi massimi.

Avevo soltanto 18 anno, e avevo appena matricolato da Santa Cruz High School. Quel autunno entrai nel collegio San Jose State. A quel tempo vivevo con mio amico Marvin Del Chiaro, in un'appartamento sulla sesta strada sud, à pochi passi dalla scuola. Per causa della fede, un piccolo mercato era situato alle strade Sesta e Williams, una camminata corta. Piu tardi conobbi che si chiamava L & F Mercato, indicando Lou e Frank (Moro).

La, per la prima volta, incontrai la famiglia Moro. Frank, il padre di Lou Moro ed Enes, per solito si trovavano lavorando al banco. A tempi si poteva trovare anche le giovane figlie di Enes, Donna e Sandy. Dietro il negozio, dietro il banco del macellaio c'era un bel giovane, energico e con un grande sorriso.

"Quello è Lou, il mio marito", Enes mi ha informato con scintillio nei suoi occhi..Se non mi sbaglio, Lou Moro avrebbe avuto 35 anni.

Per quei anni mentre studiavo al collegio, andavo spesso à quel mercato, comprando cosette necessarie come biscotti, gelato, affettato, pane, e cetera. Ho cominciato di conoscere la famiglia Moro molto bene. Enes mi disse che era originaria di Santa Cruz, che sua madre Velia stava là sempre. Ho scoperto che Lou nacque nella regione di Friuli in Italia. Lou insieme con Frank, suo padre e Lisa, sua madre erano Furlani. Miei genitori furono nati nello stesso posto ed erano Furlani. Questa era una cosa straordinaria, perche Furlani sono rari in questa zona.

Nel 1959 mi aggiunsi con la polizia di San Jose. Nel 1960 Presidente Eisenhower, che era vicino alla fine di suo secondo tempo in ufficio mi invitò d'entrare nel esercito.
Naturalmente, un'offerta che non potevo rifuitare. (Si, fui arruollato nell esercito.) Avanti la mia partita per entrare nelle armi, la famiglia Moro è venuta in Santa Cruz e fecero conoscenza con miei genitori, Bronco e Valentina. In casa era anche mio fratello Giovanni Primo (John) così per caso Donna incontrò John per la prima volta.

Nel 1962, sempre soldato, ricebbi unaltro invito. Questa volta era per essere tistimone allo sposalizio di John e Donna. Unaltra offerta che non potei rifiutare.

Cioè Donna e John si sposarono e comiciarono loro famiglia in Santa Cruz. Poco dopo, Lou ed Enes, con Sandy insieme sono venuti è vivere in Santa Cruz per essere piu vicini à loro figliola maggiore e la nipotina Denise che arrivava presto. (La seconda nipotina Christine ariverebbe pochi anni dopo.) Così Lou Moro si piantò in Santa Cruz, vivendo la per il restante di sua vita.

Per cittadino di Santa Cruz, Lou Moro fece tante buone opere. Vorrei dire che fece tante cose grandi, però penso che egli sarebbe embarazzato se trattassi di sua vita in parole grosse. Lou Moro era un uomo buono che faceva cose buone. Suo maggiore dono per sue figlie, i generi, suoi nipotini, e per noialtri era suo esempio di come fare una buona vita facendo buone cose. Perdonami se uso vecchie clichè: Lou Moro sapeva "come parlare e come agire".

Lou Moro era una cosa di costanza nella mia vita. Era sempre pronto per guidarmi ed avvisarmi. Pare che Lou Moro non diventò mai vecchio. Nella mia mente Lou Moro è sempre giovane, energetico, con sorrisi per tutti. Naturalmente, Lou Moro invecchiò, e la settimana scorsa Donna mi informò che suo amato padre era morto.

In italano abbiamo un dittaggio vecchio, à tempi nella voce di uno moribondo. " Per lui è finita la cuccagna." Paragonando, vol dire, "Per lui il pranzo è finito." Però se veramente crediamo in Gesu Cristo, Nostro Signore, allora dobbiamo credere Sue promesse per noi. La morte non è la fine, è soltanto il comincio.

Cioè, ora vedo Lou Moro in un prato pieno di fiori di lavanda ed oro, godendo il sole, circondato da tutti suoi parenti amati ed amici che andarono avanti di lui. Che meraviglia che tutti suoi parenti sono giovani, forti, e liberi da malattia ed infermità. E per Lou Moro......esso sta la fra di loro, sembrando come apparve à me quel giorno piu di mezzo secolo fa, à quel piccolo mercato in Sixth Street, giovane e forte con suo famoso sorriso. Cara famiglia ed amici nella mia mente Lou Moro è andato ad un posto dove sara per sempre giovane. Un posto dove "la cuccagna non finisce mai piu". Un posto dove la vita è buona ed il pranzo non fnisce mai.

Addio, Louie Moro

Ivano

ADIO AMICO DELLA COSTA - SALVATORE (SAL) LOCATELLI

Locatelli remembered as self-made lumberman

By: TOM RAGAN SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

Salvatore Locatelli, an Italian immigrant who came to Santa Cruz with nothing but the clothes on his back but worked long enough and hard enough to own his own lumber business, died July 2 at Stanford University Hospital.

He was 76 and had suffered from a lengthy illness.

Locatelli was a U.S. citizen from his father, who was born in Boulder Creek. He grew up with his mother in Italy, and his father would return to visit every couple of years.

"He came from Italy the year I was born, in 1949," said his wife, Althea Locatelli, 57, of Santa Cruz. "We used to joke to people and say it was an arranged marriage because I'm Italian and my parents came from Italy, too"

In fact, the marriage was arranged, kind of — by Locatelli's brother, Mario, who met Althea while he was a patient at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara. Althea was a nurse at the time and had helped Mario while he was suffering from melanoma — which claimed his life a few years later.

"He wanted to do me a favor, and his brother was single and he really wanted me to meet him," said Althea. "So Sal delivered two cords of firewood to me in October 1985"

And the rest was history. The two hit it off and had been together ever since, she said.

Locatelli came from Berbenno, Bergamo in the northern part of Italy, about an hour from the Alps. His grandfather helped pay for his trip to the United States, where he eventually landed in Ellis Island like hundreds of thousands of immigrants before him.

From there he traveled to San Francisco, then on to Santa Cruz, where he eventually got a job working for the city's Sanitation Department in the day, then cutting lumber in the evenings.

"He'd work early in the morning, then go into the woods in the evening," said Althea. "Then he'd come home, sharpen the chains for the next day, eat dinner, then go to bed"

In the early 1960s, Locatelli founded his own business, Sal Locatelli Firewood, cutting and selling firewood. Family members joined the business in stages: a cousin first, then one brother, another brother and a son. Locatelli retired in 1985 and passed the business to his son Sal J. The company is now owned by one of Locatelli's nephews.

Locatelli was an avid hunter and loved to fish. He also enjoyed making wine and gardening.

Contact Tom Ragan at mailto:tragan@santacruzsentinel.com

Salvatore Locatelli
BORN: Nov. 19, 1930.
DIED: July 2, 2007.
HOME: Santa Cruz.
OCCUPATION: Owned lumber business.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Member of the Marconi Club.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Althea Locatelli of Santa Cruz; sons Richard S. Locatelli, Daniel S. Locatelli and Sal J. Locatelli, all of Santa Cruz; stepson Jeremy Gibson of Tacoma, Wash.; stepdaughter Cheryce Chartier of Elkhurst; brothers John Locatelli and Joe Locatelli, both of Santa Cruz; sister Angie Inman of Bakersfield; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

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DECORATED WAR TIME 'FIGLIO DELLA COSTA' MIKE DEMOS - REMEMBERED

IN “LA NOSTRA COSTA” , I WRITE EXTENSIVELY OF WW II AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED ON THE NORTH COAST OF SANTA CRUZ. MANY ‘FIGLI DELLA COSTA’LIKE JOE GEMIGNANI, JOE BROVIA, FRED DIMEO, FERD MORO,LOUIS ALUFFI,ALVIN GREGORY,ALBIE ROSSI AND ATTILIO DOGLIOTTI, SERVED HONORABLY IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DURING THIS WAR TIME PERIOD. AS THE PHOTO ABOVE AND THE REMEMBRANCE BELOW (PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL) INDICATE, MIKE DEMOS WAS A MUCH DECORATED WAR TIME ‘FIGLIO DELLA COSTA’. ADIO, MIKE. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS ‘IL ULTIMO PONTE’


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.
Demos, Michael Daniel "Mike"

Major, U.S.A.F., retired,
Took his last flight from this world ""¦into the wild blue yonder" on Thursday, April 12, 2007.

Born and raised in Davenport, the oldest son of Dennis and Anita Marini Demos, he is survived by his wife of 58 years Mary Jane, and children Marilyn Bill Fravel, Dennis, Michael, Debra and Ann Marie Marty Herman, as well as his sister, Dolly Gregory and brother Alvin Demos.
He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Derek and Travis, Emery, Carly Rose, Katie and Reyna, Odin and Hawkin and Avery.

Some of Mike's happiest days were those spent in service to our country during World War II. He flew the P-51 Mustang for the US Army/Air Force and was overseas for 11/2 years. Mike entered the service January 15, 1942, at Monterey, California and was sent to Sheppard Field. He then received training at Chanute Field, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, Cadet training at Maxwell Field, Ala., Helena, Ark., and lastly Bush Field, Ga., and Harding Field, La. Overseas he was stationed at Mohanbau Field, Assam Valley, India, Tincoksikan, Burma and Hsiam, China. He participated in the Battle of Burma, Mandalay, Rangoon, the Irrawaddy Valley, the railroad sweeps in the Yellow River Valley in China.

Mike's outfit was the 311th Fighter Group, 530th Fighter Squadron, known as the Yellow Scorpions. He flew 117 combat missions in Burma and China and received 14 decorations, including 7 medals, 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and 3 Battle Stars. The Yellow Scorpion Squadron also received 2 Presidential Citations. Mike retired as a Major after 21 years of service.
Mike's family remembers great 'edge" stories about his flying antics:
: He "buzzed" the Davenport cement plant and was reported but not busted; passed through Davenport and "tipped his wings" to Myrtle Garaventa, Postmistress
: He "buzzed" between the women's dormitory buildings at Louisiana State University, missed by radar
: He acrobatted a forward roll in a P-51, something "impossible and unheard of" and was punished by being sent overseas, which was his heart's desire at that time.

Mike spent his working years selling and distributing seed, agricultural aides fertilizer! and sprinkler systems to the farmers up and down the California Coast between Salinas and Pescadero. He was known for his honesty and integrity and was recently heralded as ""¦the best international seller of hybrid brussel sprout seeds." He was once awarded a national top-salesman award by Food Machinery Corporation, but refused to go to New York to accept — he only abided planes that he could fly!
The Demos family will drive Mike's pickup the new red one with the P-51 etched on the rear window up the Coast and scatter his ashes on the Davenport Coast which he loved so much.
The family extends its appreciation to the staff of Dominican Hospital and the Acute Rehab Unit, and the wonderful staff especially Tina! of the Hospice Caring Project. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Hospice Caring Project.
Fly on, Dad!


Published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on 4/22/2007.

VALENTINA REMEMBERED

On this date, April 23, 1977, my mother Valentina Bressani Comelli, age 64, died after a year long battle with cancer. Her “Journey To And From The North Coast of Santa Cruz” was over. Prior to her death, hard work, perseverance, and above all her unmitigated love for her two sons Giovanni Primo and Ivano Franco, granted her a life long dream; “a better life for John and me and consequently for our two families.”

The photograph above (from the ‘La Nostra Costa’ archives) was taken circa 1952. It shows my mother, Valentina on the right, and her very best friend, Andreina Rodoni in their “Sunday Bests”. My mother would have been 39 years old at the time the photo was taken.

BRONCO'S BIRTHDAY

TODAY IS MARCH 15. IN NIMIS A SMALL VILLAGE IN NORTHEASTERN ITALY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN YEARS AGO, GERVASIO COMELLI WAS BORN. AS READERS OF “LA NOSTRA COSTA” WILL KNOW, GERVASIO IMMIGRATED TO ‘LA COSTA’ IN 1923, WHERE HE WAS GIVEN THE NICK-NAME “BRONCO”. THE NICK-NAME STAY WITH HIM FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

SINCE THAT TIME MANY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED TO THE COMELLI - BRESSANI FAMILY IN AMERICA. NONE OF WHICH WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, IF ‘BRONCO’ HAD CHOSEN NOT TO IMMIGRATE TO AMERICA. IN FACT, THE STORY OF ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN-- AT LEAST NOT BY ME.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PA-PA. IVANO

THEODORE L. GARGIULO, CONDUCTOR, COMPOSER, MUSICOLOGIST, 'AMICO DELLA COSTA'

IN REGARDS TO MY PREVIOUS ARTICLE ON "TED' GARGIULO, SOME OF YOU HAVE ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAESTRO. WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW IS AND EXCERPT FROM AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE MONTEREY HERALD. (Words appearing in italics have been added by Ivano.)



Born in New York City (December 19, 1915), Taddeo Luigi Gargiulo was the son of immigrant parents, Salvatore Gargiulo, a baker from Sorrento and Erminia Mascia from Castellamare di Stabia, Italy.


Amid the hardships of the Great Depression, Theodore discovered his passion for the piano and found a way to begin his studies. His talent and pursuit was rewarded with a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music. Theory and harmony took its root and he was asked to join the National Youth Administration Symphony under the direction of Leopold Stokowski where he expanded his knowledge of orchestra and composition.

Twenty years later, in 1935, he received another scholarship from the New York Philharmonic Symphony Society and studied as a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakoff.

Teachers’ College of Columbia University was another stomping ground as he added vocal art to his accomplishments. Maestro Fritz Stiedry of the Metropolitan Opera embraced Theodore as his protégé. Here his passion grew deeper in the world of opera.

Subsequent years found Maestro Gargiulo performing as Music Director, Assistant Conductor and Conductor with opera companies such as The Miami Opera Guild, Wagner Opera Company’s National Tour, New York Opera Festival in Washington, DC, Cafarelli Opera in Cleveland, Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Columbus Symphony Orchestra in Columbus, Georgia, Connecticut Opera Association, Philadelphia Opera and the Cincinnati Summer Opera.

Theodore’s last international conducting tour included the the symphony orchestra of Ottawa, Vancouver and other cities in Canada. These orchestras provided accompaniment to the four hour silent film epic of the restoration of Abel Gance’s 1927 Classic “Napoleon” produced by Francis Ford Coppola.

He was chief music critic, reviewer and feature writer for the Columbus Leger/Enquirer newspapers for seven years and his article appeared in many publications.

The Gargiulo family came to Monterey in 1972. He organized the Peninsula Clarinet Quartet for the Monterey Museum of Art and established the chamber concert series, “Music in the Museum”

Theodore organized the Pan Cultural Orchestra of the Defense Language Institute (DLI). With Specialist Bill Zornes, Theodore wrote a pageant to celebrate the Army’s 208th Birthday Ball, “Music – the Great Motivator.”

In November 2001 Maestro Gargiulo received a lifetime achievement award at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The award was presented by The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation.

Maestro Gargiulo was a prolific composer with a collection of art songs in various genres, symphonic works, chamber music, a wedding mass, and two operas. His opera Tryillias was accepted for consideration for a Pulitzer Prize in music in 2004.

On August 30th, 2006, Maestro Gargiulo wrote his last 101 measures – a musical setting of the Catholic Profession of Faith. “We believe in God the Father, The Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen……..”

"Our Father was a very rare, gentle soul who walked the earth. His spirit soars with love and passion which is expressed in the legacy of his music. and performances.. But, his greatest opus is the love of life he instilled in his family." -- The Gargiulo Family

MAESTRO TADDEO LUIGI GARGIULO E 'LA NOSTRA COSTA'

MAESTRO TADDEO LUIGI GARGIULO , BETTER KNOWN TO MUSCIANS AND FRIENDS AS THEODORE “TED” GARGIULO, WAS OUR NEIGHBOR. ALONG WITH HIS WIFE GLORIA, HE LIVED NEXT DOOR TO US ON LAS BRISAS DRIVE AT PASADERA (OFF HWY 68 IN MONTEREY). TED WAS A RENOWNED COMPOSER AND MUSCIAN. OFTEN WE WOULD HEAR HIM PLAY HIS PIANO AS HE WAS COMPOSING NEW SONGS IN HIS LIVING ROOM. MY WIFE, MILDRED AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT WOULD BE CREATED BY THIS WONDERFUL MAN. TED PASSED AWAY IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR.


Ted and I would often pass the time of day discussing world events, philosophy and religion. He would even discuss with me, a complete novice, how he composed his music. During his last year, he would say to me, “I get up in the morning and my mind is filled with music. I can not wait to get to my piano to write it down. This has never happened to me before. It is simply amazing.”

One of the things that used to bother Ted a great deal was all the violence and inhumanity that existed in the World. Ted was a deeply religious man, however; he was also an intellectual. He was not afraid to question things that really were not quite clear. He often posed the following question to me. “Ivan, how can there be a God with all this violence, famine and inhumanity in world? A just and benevolent God would never allow it to exist.”

I would always answer, “Ted, we will find the answer to those questions when we cross over to the hereafter.” Ted would then retort, “How can you be sure that there is a hereafter.”

Of course Ted believed in God. But he was searching for answers to those questions we often ask ourselves in order to gain some reassurance of our own religious beliefs.

As I was nearing the completion of “La Nostra Costa”, I often thought of these conversations with Ted. My mind began to create the scenario in the book where the overburdened “Young Rancere” questions the very existence of a Deity. In ‘A Rancere’s Lament’, at the beginning of the book, he challenges his God by posing the following question: “O God, if you are up there, why don’t you wave your hand, and make things better for me?” In return, he gets a rather superficial answer – because he (the Rancere) lives “su per la costa –not heaven?”

Having finished “A Rancere’s Lament”, I realized that I needed an ending to the book that would be in sync with the “Rancere’s Lament”. I kept thinking of my discussions with Ted. I then started to put down my thoughts (and hopes) of what the hereafter might be like. Thus; in “Il Ultimo Ponte”, we find the Rancere; now very old, standing before a wooden bridge. The bridge, of course, symbolizes the very “crossing-over” that I had discussed with Ted. Once across the bridge, the Rancere, realizes that his life was really worth while.

I remember thinking, “Boy, won’t Ted be surprised when he reads this?”

Soon after publishing “La Nostra Costa” I presented Ted and Gloria with a copy of the book. I remember telling Ted, “Make sure that you read ‘Il Ultimo Ponte’ at the end. I wrote it with you in mind.” It took him a while, but on one of my visits he informed me that he had just read it. The following is his comments as best I can remember them..

“Ivan it is beautiful. The whole episode is simply beautiful. You created something wonderful. You should be proud of what you wrote.” Then smiling at me with his wonderful smile and looking me straight in the eye, he added, “I hope you are right.”

Adio Maestro “Ted”. I am looking forward to hearing you once again, create beautiful music across “Il Ultimo Ponte.” Ivano




LNC: THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL WAS SENT BY FRANCA GARGIULO, TED’S DAUGHTER.


----- Original Message -----
From: Franca Gargiulo
To: 'ivan comelli'
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 6:46 PM
Subject: FW: Dad Gargiulo's August 15 recording session for Tehama


Dear Friends:

I thought you all might enjoy the short music video of my Father’s last conducting session and composition that was written for Tehama, Clint Eastwood’s new golf and home development in Monterey. This ad footage will appear on their website. Terrence (LNC: Ted’s son) is singing and Daddy appears at the very end. This recording session (you really don’t see the full orchestra) took place on August 15.

As I look at all these tools so easily at our disposal, I have to chuckle over the fact that when my father first started his musical career, all they had was the old Victor phonograph!

Let us know what you think and please don’t be shy about giving it a rating!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhjDdo2OfJE

Franca


Video results for '"tehama monterra"'


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Tehama Monterra Music Video04:45
Music video of original song written, scored, and conducted by the late Maestro Theodore Gargiulo, lyrics and vocals by Terrence Gargiulo, The video showcases the natural beauty of Monterey, California and features shots of Tehama/Monterra Music video of original song written, scored, and conducted by the late Maestro Theodore Gargiulo, lyrics and vocals by Terrence Gargiulo, The video showcases the natural beauty of Monterey, California and features shots of Tehama/Monterra - more information on can be found on www.makingstories.net (more) (less)
Tags:
music musicvideo beautiful song Monterey ClintEastwood Gargiulo beach ocean orchestra vocals
Added: 1 day ago in Category: MusicFrom: WendliteViews: 2

A DOG NAMED SCHATZ

My friend Roger “Ruggero” Princevalle, a member in good standing with the International Police Association (IPA) recently made the following announcement:

For the 'first time' in the San Jose area, noted author Ivano Franco Comelli will be giving a presentation about his book (La Nostra Costa) at the International Police Association Brunch on Sunday, February 25, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. Also, Ivano is donating one of his signed books to be included in a raffle along with other assorted and wondrous items.The brunch will be held at The Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Avenue, San Jose, 408-272-1512. (Directions: Hwy 680 to east on McKee Rd. -- then left on Toyon Ave. The restaurant is located just before the San Jose Country Club.)

Roger is correct. This is a first. And although San Jose is not part of Santa Cruz’s North Coast, it certainly is a part of the “La Nostra Costa” story. In1959, I joined the San Jose Police Department. I worked in San Jose as a police officer for the next thirty (30) years. In fact, the location of “The Drying Shed” on Toyon is not too far from where I and my friend Police Officer Richard Huerta (LNC: p. 331-333) used to Patrol in tandem.

Basically, my Beat (B-14) was east of Hwy 101, south of Mckee Road and North of Story Road. Richard with his dog Schatz patrolled east of Hwy 101 and south of Story Road (B-17). We would cover for each other when responding to calls or on car stops. In fact, that was how I first met Richard, “filling” with him on a car stop. We became fast friends and at one time even roomed together.

As I mentioned above, Richard’s car partner was Schatz a big burly German Shepard Dog. Off duty Schatz was the friendliest “pooch” you would ever want to meet. He loved to play with kids. However, once in back of the police car (Canine Officers patrolled in station wagons) Schatz became very territorial. If anyone approached the police vehicle from the rear, he would immediately become agitated. With teeth bared he would bark and “snap” at the approaching figure.

I must confess, that this annoyed me to no end. You see Schatz didn’t discriminate between friend and foe. Every time I would “fill” with Richard on a car stop, Schatz (although he had seen me many times, both in and out of uniform) would start barking and “snapping” at me. Richard would have to come back to the rear of the car to calm the dog down.

Being upset at Schatz’s behavior, I would swear a blue streak at the agitated dog. Then I would yell at Rich to train his “blank-blank” dog not to alert on the Uniform. Otherwise, I would take matters into my own hands. (Sure, I would.) Well, Rich never broke Schatz of his (bad) habit. I had to satisfy myself by thinking up different ways to approach Rich’s vehicle to avoid alerting Schatz. None worked. Schatz always saw me coming and he never failed to give me a robust welcome. In return, I would reciprocate by verbally assaulting Schatz with a “glossary” of new swear words.

Eventually Rich and Schatz parted company, and Rich patrolled the eastside without his canine partner. (By this time I was promoted to Sergeant and the tandem of Comelli and Huerta was no more.)

Several years later, on the evening of August 6, 1970, Officer Richard Eugene Huerta, while on a car stop, was shot and killed. Ironically, the killer approached the police car from the rear and shot Richard in back of the head as he was writing a citation to a third party (not involved in the killing.)

I always believed that if Schatz had been in the police car that terrible night the killer would never have gotten close enough to kill Richard.


AMAZING INFORMATION RE: RICHARD AND SCHATZ, JUST IN FROM RETIRED SAN JOSE POLICE OFFICER TERRY MOUDAKAS:

Hi Ivan,
Just read your blog on Rich's K9 Schatz. Schatz finished his career with Noel Lanstot & upon retiring remained with Noel's family. I spoke with Noel after that terrible night of Aug 6th. He mentioned that Schatz had passed away suddenly on Aug 7, 1970. He was pretty old & nearing the end but I've often thought about coincidence of Schatz's passing so close to Richard's. The bond between an Officer & his dog is extremely strong. (The)Greek
Terry Moudakas

FIGLIO DI DAVENPORT- ALVIN GREGORY REMEMBERED

Photo above: Alvin Gregory. Photo below: Francis Gregory (left); Alvin on the right. [Photo
courtesy of Terri Paterni Gregory]

IN "LA NOSTRA COSTA" I WRITE ABOUT THE GREGORY BROTHERS, ALVIN AND FRANCIS AND GREGORY'S STORE AND SERVICE STATION IN DAVENPORT. FRANCIS PASSED AWAY SEVERAL YEARS AGO. NOW ALVIN HAS ALSO CROSSED OVER "IL ULIMO PONTE". TO US WHO WERE PARTICIPANTS IN DAVENPORT AND "LA COSTA" HISTROY, IT IS AS IF A PART OF US HAS ALSO GONE WITH ALVIN. ADIO ALVIN. UNTIL WE ALL MEET AGAIN ACROSS "IL PONTE"

The below article appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel:



January 14, 2007

ALVIN V. GREGORY

Services will be Tuesday and Wednesday for Alvin V. Gregory who passed away January 10, 2007 at his Santa Cruz home surrounded by his loving family. He was 89.

Alvin was born in Santa Cruz, CA on February 24, 1917, the son of Albert and Elvetzia Rosselli Gregory. He grew up in Davenport where his family founded the first service station and general store. He attended and was a graduate of Pacific School and later of Santa Cruz High School. As a youth he was very involved in the 4-H Club, eventually becoming club president and junior summer camp director. During his teenage years he joined Future Farmers of America where he held many offices and was awarded the State Farmers Key by the Governor of California at the State Fair in 1934. He also helped organize the first volunteer fire department in Davenport and was a special correspondent to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Following his high school graduation he entered the California Maritime Academy, graduating in 1938 with a Third Mates License.

He was selected from the top 10 in his class by the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company in San Francisco as a Cadet Officer on the S.S. Dakotan. His first trip was to the Pacific Northwest. He later served on 12 different ships including the Flag Ship, M. S. Californian. He was promoted to Jr. Third Officer in 1939 to the S.S. Washingtonian on the inter-coastal run, going through the Panama Canal every two months. His journeys took him around the world twice, once in each direction. He later became Chief Mate on the Liberty Ship Benjamin Lundy. The ship traveled from Port Chicago to the South Pacific loaded with 6,000 tons of ammunition where it remained docked as a floating ammunition depot.
On December 1, 1940 while on a one month vacation, he married Dolly Demos of Davenport. The couple was married in the town's only church, Saint Vincent DePaul Catholic Church.

In 1943 he was transferred to the S.S. Sea Devil as Chief Mate. The first voyage transported 2200 Sea Bees to New Guinea where it remained anchored for three months as a floating hotel. In another trip it transported 2200 troops from Hollandia to Leyte in the invasion of the Philippines.

In 1945 Alvin was promoted to Master of the Liberty Ship Wm. B. Leeds. At the time of his promotion he was the youngest Captain in the United States Merchant Marines. On his first trip as Master he took a ship load of general cargo from Long Beach to Manila. Still at war with Japan, the voyage to 30 days, zig-zaging all the way under a black out at night and with no air or sea protection. While in Manila he witnessed the Japanese delegation arrive to work out the surrender details with General Douglas McArthur.

His second and last voyage was from Port Arthur, Texas to Casablanca. Upon his return he was instructed to take the ship to Norfolk, Virginia where the ship was put in "laid up fleet".
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In 1945, Alvin was appointed Lieutenant Commander in the United States Maritime Service and was honorably discharged that year.
Following his retirement from the Maritime Service, Alvin returned to Santa Cruz and joined his brother Francis to run the Gregory's Store in Davenport. He and his brother ran the store for thirty years prior to their retirement, making it 54 years since it was founded by their father in 1924.

In 1946 Alvin ran and was elected for two terms as County Supervisor of the 3rd District. On his second term he served as board chairman. At the time of his election he was the youngest Supervisor in the State of California. He also served on the site committees for Dominican Hospital and Cabrillo College.
After returning to Santa Cruz, Alvin was very active in the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, Italian Catholic Federation, Marconi Club and for many years was the chairman of the Davenport/Coast Road Reunion Committee. He was also an active member of the California Maritime Academy Alumni Assoc.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dolly Gregory of Santa Cruz; son, Leon D. Gregory of Santa Cruz and daughter, Eleanor A. O'Connor and her husband Jack of Petaluma. He is also survived by one grandson, Matthew Schmitka of Petaluma.
The funeral procession will leave Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 9:30 am for Holy Cross Catholic Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated beginning at 10:00 am. A vigil service will be held at Pacific Gardens Chapel, Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm. Friends are invited to call at Pacific Gardens Chapel, Tuesday from 3:00 pm until the vigil. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Santa Cruz, CA.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the loving care shown to Alvin by his caregivers; Beth, Lin, Visitation and Wilma, the nurses and staff at Dominican Hospital 2 East and Hospice Caring Project during his illness and final days of his life.
www.legacy.com/santacruzsentinel

THE PASSING OF JAY DEBENEDETTI - FIGLIO DELLA COSTA

IT IS NOT EASY TO ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF A FRIEND AND CLASSMATE. JAY DEBENEDETTI WAS A MEMBER OF SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1955. THE E-MAIL FROM BRUCE HANSEN SR. TO HIS CLASSMATES OF 1955 ANNOUNCED THE SAD NEWS.



-----Original Message-----From: Bruce Hansen Sr. Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 2:28 PM Subject: Jay


Dear Friends,

Jay died last night about midnight. Please pray for peace and comfort for his family and close friends. There will be a private family funeral this week and a celebration of Jay's life later in January. Jay would have been 70 on January 26.
Bruce

LNC: Jay was the son of John DeBenedetti a prominent and much respected rancere "su per la costa". Adio, Jay. Until we all meet again
across "Il Ultimo Ponte". Ivan0

LNC: The below Remembrance of Jay's life appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel :

January 12, 2007

Capitola Mall developer dies at age 68
Developer John L. "Jay" deBenedetti III, who built the Capitola Mall and Gateway Plaza in Santa Cruz, died Sunday in Atherton after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68.
DeBenedetti was born in San Francisco and grew up in coastal Santa Cruz. He came from a pioneering family of growers and shippers.
He graduated from Santa Cruz High School, and in 1959, he graduated from UC Berkeley, where he was a member of the golf team and the Zeta Psi fraternity. He was honored to be a member of "The Builders of Berkeley" and supported many Cal programs over the years.
He broke with the family's agricultural roots and pursued a career as a commercial real estate developer. The beginning of his career was spent with Coldwell Banker and Sutter Hill Development.
In 1976, he co-founded Cypress Properties where he engaged in shopping center and suburban office acquisitions and development.
For several years, he was president of the Lake Tahoe lakefront homeowners association.
He served on the board of high-tech and medical technology companies as well as philanthropic interests including The Vista Center for the Blind. "Beyond being a successful businessman," said his son John F. deBenedetti, who is blind, "people respected him as a person with integrity"
DeBenedetti's son lost his eyesight when he was 11, which got him interested in helping organizations for the blind, his son said.
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"He was real generous to UC Berkeley and to a number of blindness organizations," his son said.
He was a giving man, his son added, personally and philanthropically.
"He was just a larger-than-life leader of our family," he said.
DeBenedetti enjoyed golfing, business and philanthropy. He was a member of the San Francisco Golf Club, Bohemian Club and Menlo Country Club.
DeBenedetti is survived by his wife Marti DeBenedetti of Atherton; daughter Ann Levis of St. Louis; son John deBenedetti of San Francisco; daughter Mary Newman of Lafayette; sister Jane McInnis of Atherton; eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be at the San Francisco Golf Club at a future date.
Contributions are preferred to That Man May See, a public charity supporting UC San Francisco ophthalmology, 10 Koret Way Box 0352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0352 or the UC Berkeley Foundation in support of the Memorial Stadium Building Fund, UC Regents/Gift Administration 2080 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94720.

FIGLIO DELLA COSTA- DAVE FERRARI REMEMBERED

AS WE START THE NEW YEAR WE ARE REMINDED THAT SOME FIGLIO E FIGLIA DELLA COSTA ARE NO LONGER WITH US. Dave Ferrari died late last year. He was a giant of man--both in appearance and personality. I first heard Dave play his accordion circa 1952-53. He made a guest appearance at the Santa Cruz High School Auditorium. After that I would frequently run into him at Ray and Zelda Ceragioli's home on Escalona Drive. On one particular occasion, he told a very funny story. It seems that on one of his frequent cross country trips he was driving across the desert behind a very large cattle truck. It was hot and the sun was shining brightly without a cloud in the sky. All of a sudden a cloud burst inundated his vehicle with rain. Unable to understand the phenomenon, Dave pulled to the side of the road, got out of his car and looked up at the sky. Not a drop of rain in sight. It was then that he figured out that the "rain" was bovine in nature. So much for following too close.

The below article describing Dave's life was written by Jondi Gumzs and appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. (Also read the obituary written by Dave Ferrari for Irene Terrini Bianconi. Click on comments at the end of the Sentinel article.)


December 7, 2006

Well-known florist Dave Ferrari served the community and the stars
By JONDI GUMZSentinel staff writer
The announcement for Dave Ferrari's memorial service said "Flowers only, please" — not surprising for the founder of Ferrari the Florist — who died in his Santa Cruz home on Friday. He was 92.
Mr. Ferrari opened the floral shop in 1946. It was a bold career switch.
He had played the accordion since he was 12, and after graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1931, he turned his talent into a career. He taught the accordion and led an orchestra, performing at barbecues, weddings and dances from Half Moon Bay to King City.
In 1936, he chaired the Santa Cruz Fiesta, a birthday party for the city, persuading local merchants to don Spanish outfits and wearing a mariachi costume for a photo with Oscar-winner Claudette Colbert. She was in Bonny Doon with Fred MacMurray to make the film, "Maid of Salem."
Mr. Ferrari entertained at the San Francisco World Fair in 1939 and 1940, and served as the accompanist for the famed Fisherman's Chorus during the popular "Day on the Bay" celebrations.
During World War II, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He took his accordion with him, entertaining the troops and creating lifelong friendships.
Mr. Ferrari earned a promotion to 1st sergeant with the 54th Signal Battalion, spent two years in Iceland, then two more in Europe with the 18th Airborne Corps. He took part in the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine River at Wesel, the Battle of the Ruhr pocket, and joined forces with the Russian troops at the Elbe River.

Returning home after four years, he took a nine-month apprenticeship with a florist in San Francisco. He told a Sentinel reporter that going into business "scared the hell out of me." But he proved to be astute. He catered to such luminaries as Alfred Hitchcock, who had a home in Scotts Valley, and his "Festival of Trees" at Christmas became a tradition.
The store, which moved to Pacific Avenue in 1954, became known for its extravagant holiday window displays. When Mr. Ferrari retired in 1978, the store was rated among the top florists in the country.
The 1989 earthquake forced the floral shop to relocate. It returned downtown and celebrated its 60th anniversary in September this year, with Mr. Ferrari, 92, sharing memories with Sharon Richardson, the current owner, and her staff.
In his younger days, Mr. Ferrari was an avid river runner. He rafted the Colorado through the Grand Canyon several times before the dam was built in Page in 1963 and several other rivers.
During his retirement, he traveled to 67 countries, including Iceland, visiting relatives and friends. His home in Santa Cruz became known as the "Ferrari Hilton" because visitors from all over the world were always welcome.
He never married, explaining to an interviewer in 1994 that "the accordion was my wife." To four generations of family, he was affectionately known as Uncle "D." He outlived his sister Leda, who died in 1993, and his sister Sylvia, who died in 2004.
He was proud to say he slept in the same bedroom where he was born.

Contact Jondi Gumz at mailto:jgumz@santacruzsentinel.com?
David H. Ferrari
BORN: April 15, 1914.
DIED: Dec. 1, 2006.
HOME: Santa Cruz.
OCCUPATION: Accordion player and orchestra leader, founder of Ferrari the Florist.
EDUCATION: Graduate of Santa Cruz High School.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Responsible for live entertainment at the Beach Boardwalk during the 1930s; chaired the Santa Cruz Birthday Party celebration; named outstanding citizen of Santa Cruz, 1941.


Reminder "La Nostra Costa Book Signing at the Capitola Cafe-Bookstore, on Weds. Jan 17 @ 7:30 PM. Location: 1475 41st Ave Capitola, 831-462-4415.

FIGLIO DELLA COSTA - LIEUTENANT ATTILIO JOSEPH DOGLIOTTI REMEMBERED

THIS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, IS THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR. Immediately after the bombing, America declared war on the Empire of Japan. As a consequence Adolph Hitler declared war on the United States and Italy’s Benito Mussolini followed suit. As a result of Italy’s involvement in World War II on the side of Japan and Germany, many Italians without proper citizenship papers ‘su per la costa’ and elsewhere in America were declared to be ‘enemy aliens’ . As described by Norma (Dinelli) Wilson in her story (Part I,) and also in Chapter 3 of my book, "La Costa E La Guerra", severe restrictions were imposed on the Italians, causing some to be relocated and some to lose their jobs. In October of 1942, the Attorney General of the United States lifted the restrictions on the Italians, although the United States was still at war with Italy. One of the main reason this was done, was because so many sons of Italian aliens were in uniform and fighting for the United States in Europe and the Pacific . Attilio Joseph Dogliotti of Santa Cruz was one of those boys and he made the supreme sacrifice for his (our) Country.

The following article was sent to me by Gino Campioni and was copied from the original appearing in the “Santa Cruz Riptide-Vol. 10- No. 20.



In a window of a cozy home at 498 Bay street there proudly hangs a service flag with one star for all that family could give to its Flag.

But today that star has turned to gold for that home has made the supreme sacrifice--it has given all it had for its Flag, and its walls never again will resound to a cheery "Hi, Mom,"from a happy, six-foot youth as he came bounding home from work.

Saturday afternoon, May 8, Second Lieutenant Attilio Joseph Dogliotti, 22, was at the controls of a four-motored Liberator bomber when it crashed in the northern part of Arizona. Lieutenant Dogliotti was killed. Three others in the plane were also killed.

The body of the young pilot was to be shipped to White's Mortuary some time this week where a military funeral will be held.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Dogliotti of 498 Bay street, Joseph was born in Santa Cruz and was the only child. He graduated from Santa Cruz high school in 1939. In 1938 he was captain of the heavy weight champion football team and was an outstanding tackle. In 1939 Joseph was captain
of the champion baseball team. He was an honor student in agriculture in high school, and one of the most popular students in the school.

After his graduation, Joseph was employed at the Coast Drum and Box company on Mission street and later he was employed with the Santa Cruz Portland Cement company in Davenport.

It was in April of 1942 that Joseph enlisted as an aviation cadet and was sent to Santa Ana Air Base for pre-flight training. He progressed successfully through the various phases of training and finally, on January 4 of 1943, Joseph was awarded his wings and commission at
Stockton. He was a bomber pilot.

Lieutenant Dogliotti was en route to Pocatello, Idaho, from Gibbs Field, Texas, to get a new plane when the crash occurred. His was the second plane of the same type to have crashed in approximately the same area.

Slated for promotion to first lieutenant within a few weeks and then a captaincy following quickly, Lieutenant Dogliotti had written his proud parents that he would be home for a furlough the first of June.

But Joseph came home earlier on an eternal furlough granted by his Supreme Commander-in Chief. And the little star in that service flag has turned to gold.

AMICO DELLA COSTA - COACH MILO BADGER

POSTED BELOW IS THE OBITUARY FOR COACH MILO BADGER AS IT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL. Coach Badger was included in "La Nostra Costa" as an "Amico Della Costa". He had a great influence on me and many of the boys who grew up on the Coast. I mention his name in two of the Chapters. In Chapter 20 "Sesso E Altri
Divertimenti (Sex and Other Amusements), page 217, I speak of his Physical Education Program at Mission Hill School and on page 219 I included an endnote regarding Coach Badger and his family who lived directly across the street from 'Casa D'Valentina' on Seaside Street. In Chapter 28, "IL Ponte E La Policia" (The Bridge and the Police), page 323, I describe how I had to face Coach Badger and Sgt. Charles Derby after I was suspected (I was one of seveal suspects) of stealing a wallet from a locker in the Boys' Gym. As I stood there, Sgt. Derby asked Coach Badger, "Do you have any reason to suspect this young man"?
I will always remember what the Coach said in a firm an unequivocal manner, "No". Thanks Coach. I will never forget you. ivn0

October 29, 2006

MILO FRANK BADGER

Milo Frank Badger, known to many simply as "Coach," passed peacefully away on Sunday, October 15, 2006, at his Hydesville, CA, home after a short and difficult battle with cancer. He is survived by his five children: Alan, Wade, Pam, and Clay Badger, and Betsy Howard, and eight grandchildren. A natural outdoorsman, Milo Coach enjoyed nothing more than a long day of fishing or a tough day of doggin' through the brush in hopes of jumping a nice buck. He began leading summer camping trips for students to the Sierras, where many kids who had never had such an experience caught their first fish or, not so impossibly, got their first mosquito bite. Milo was able to touch the lives of so many kids from all walks of life and, for some, this influence changed the course of their futures to come.
Coach Badger should be remembered for all the things he was - son and husband, father and grandfather, teacher and coach, friend; and for the things he loved most - gardening and chopping wood, camping and hunting, fishing and storytelling, but most of all, family. He will be dearly and sincerely missed by many. We will carry his memory forever in our hearts, and use the things he has taught us to the best of our abilities in our own lives and gardens.
Memorial services with a reception to follow for Milo Badger will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2006, at the Mission Hill Middle School Gymnasium at 1pm.

Copyright © 1999-2006 Santa Cruz Sentinel.Ottaway Newspaper, Inc.All rights reserved.

Fallen Officer-Richard Eugene Huerta

Sunday, August 6 is the thirty sixth anniversity of the killing of San Jose Police Officer Richard Eugene Huerta. In everyone's life there is at least one adverse incident that stands above all others. Tragically, for me, Richard's death was that incident. What follows below is and excerpt from my book "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast) .

"August 6, 1970, is a date forever ingrained in the annals of the San Jose Police Department. On that date, my best friend and one-time roommate Officer Richard Eugene Huerta, was assassinated by a lone gunman. He was only thirty-six years old. The incident occurred during that turbulent period of our history when it was common for radicals advocating : "black power" to extol the vitues of killing a "pig". Apparently (although no one will know for certain) one black male, Emile Thompson, then in his early twenties, took that message literally. As Richard sat in his vehicle, writing a citation to a third party (not involved in the crime), the lone assassin crept up from behind the car, and suddnly shot the unsuspecting officer in back of the head. This brutal and cowardly act killed Richard almost instantly.

Still in the early morning hours, I was awakened from a sound sleep by a telephone call. On the other end of the line was Officer Jim Emmons, a friend, who also happened to be a former roommate of Richard's. Jim, who was on duty at the time of the shooting delivered the message that haunts me to this day. "Richard has been shot".

Still half asleep, I asked Jim if Richard was all right. Jim responded in an unemotional and very controlled manner, which is very typical of a professional police officer under stress. "No, I think he is dead. I thought you'd like to know."

In a state of shocked amazement, I quickly put on some civilian clothes, grabbed by off duty revolver, and drove myself (I was living in Scotts Valley at the time) to the San Jose Police Station. Once there and still in off-duty clothes, I hooked up with on-duty Sg. Phil Norton. Together we joined the search for the assassin. It wasn't long before Norton received a radio call informing him that the killer had been found hiding in a back yard in the 500 block of North Thirteen. Sgt. Norton quickly responded to the scene and both he and I were present when the assassin was dragged from his hiding place and placed in handcuffs.

I guess you might say that I, as well as Sgt. Norton and the officers who actually made the arrest, acted professionally in not shooting Thompson in the head. This thought certainly crossed my mind and, at the time, I actually had my finger on the trigger of my snub-nose "38". Not committing the act certainly didn't make me feel any better or more professional. (Probably the only one who wasn't restrained by "police professional behavior" was the police dog on the scene. Without asking permission, he promptly took a bite out of the killer.) The murderer is now in his fifties, serving out his life sentence. I doubt if he spends much of his time thinking about the consequences of his act. Richard's death left two young children without a father. Marie Huerta was left alone to raise Leanne and Richard Jr."

The above excerpt regarding Officer Richard Huerta's death, is copyrighted by Ivano Franco Comelli, all rights reserved. It appears in his book "La Nostra Coast"(Our Coast) published by Authorhouse (2006), www.authorhouse.com , 1-888-280-7715.