Lawrence Picetti

Lawrence Picetti Resident of Hayward died of natural causes on October 16th in Paradise, California. Larry was born in Alameda, CA December 1, 1923. His parents and other family members came to this country from Genoa, Italy in the very early 1900's. In Alameda he worked along with his family raising vegetables on Bay Farm Island and delivering newspapers. Dad played the accordion and piano his whole life. He graduated from Alameda High School in 1941. He entered the Army Air Force, stationed at Stockton Field servicing B-24's. There he met his wife Mary and wooed her until their marriage on December 5, 1943. Here he met his lifelong friends Frank Silva and Art Dickinson. When they "went to town," Larry got free drinks by playing his accordion. He was stationed in Germany. They settled in Hayward in 1953 with their two children, Gary and Diane. Larry worked as a Quality Assurance Specialist for the US Dept of Defense. While many contractors would try to get on the good side of the government inspectors by giving gifts, Larry never accepted a single gratuity. He was responsible for inspecting everything from troop carriers to aircraft. He always wanted to insure that these would be reliable for use by our service men and women. He often told his family that he would not be able to live with himself if anyone was hurt or injured because he did not do his best job. He rose to GS12 before retiring, after 35 years of dedicated civil service. Larry was active in the lives of his children and grand-children. He was president of the local chapter of NARFE, a member of the Buon Tempo Club and ran the local polling station for many years. He was an excellent musician and entertainer, always ready with a joke. He enjoyed golf and bowling. He was an avid sports fan. He and his wife enjoyed traveling. He remained devoted to his wife Mary his entire life. Larry and Mary lived in Hayward until early 2009 when they moved to Paradise, CA where their loving daughter, Diane, could watch over them. Larry leaves behind his loving wife of 66 years Mary, son Judge Gary Picetti (Cyndi) Castro Valley, CA, daughter Diane Ogden (Gary) Paradise, CA, six grandchildren, Matthew, Robert (Christie) and John Picetti, Benjie Umpad, Elise Dixon (Peter), Christine Osterhout (Brad), 3 great-grand-children, Bradley and Marilyn Dixon and Madilyn Picetti. We will all miss him very much. Visitation will be held on Thurs Oct 21 from 4-8 PM and funeral services on Fri Oct 22 at 1:00 PM at Grissom's Chapel/Mortuary 267 E. Lewelling Blvd, San Lorenzo. Burial to follow at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward.