George MARTINUCCI

1926 - 2016

MARTINUCCI, George George Martinucci, born November 29, 1926, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Christmas Eve, 2016, at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. George was born in Valley Ford to parents Donnino and Orsola Martinucci (deceased) who were Northern Italian immigrants from the small town of Chiavenna. He is preceded in death by his two half-sisters Stella Foresti and Lily Egan, as well as three other siblings who died as children. George was always a farmer at heart and spent 25 years running his feed store, Ranchers Milling Company, however his greatest pride and joy were his three loving daughters, Linda Citti, Claudia Martinucci Polizziani and Laura Parker, as well as his four grandchildren, Daniele and Isabella Citti, Mikeila Parker, Lorena Polizziani, Lorenzo Parker as well as his step-grandson Vincenzo Polizziani. He was the most dedicated and loving father and grandfather anyone could ever ask for, working hard to make sure his family would always be taken care of. He was so proud of his daughters and their accomplishments, particularly Linda and Luca's restaurant Cafe Citti, which he told everyone about whenever he had the chance. He was recently able to see his grandson Daniele graduate from college and was so proud of all of his grandchildren. He was a loving and devoted husband to Vera Martinucci for 28 years, who preceded him in death in 1991. For the last 18 years he was so very happy with his companion Joyce Daniels, with whom he was able to enjoy many years of traveling and loving care. George was also survived by his three sons-in-law, whom he loved like sons. He is also survived by two nephews Nick Illia, whom he saw every day and loved like a brother, as well as George Egan and numerous cousins here and in Italy. George was a veteran of World War II and spent over a year stationed in Japan as part of the occupational army. He was very proud of his service to our country and always felt blessed to have made it back home. George's favorite pass times were working in his garden, watching and feeding the birds (ducks were his favorite) listening to his many clocks chime the hours, taking a drive to the coast and place of his childhood, a dinner of polenta with stew and a good espresso with a shot of brandy every afternoon. He was most happy when surrounded by his family or talking to his grandson Daniele about tools and construction. George was an amazing handyman who could build or fix anything. He spoiled his girls and his grandkids because that was what he loved to do. He even made sure he saved his scraps for the two family dogs Kalle and Cocco. He was also a very smart business man and spent all of his adult life taking care of his numerous properties; he loved a good business deal. He took pride in all of his hard work and accomplishments and was most proud that through it all, he never made an enemy; only lifelong friends, many of whom became his business partners particularly Cal Carpenter, Sal and Evelina Peritore and Ferruccia and Osvaldo Particelli. He was so proud of his daughter Claudia who was his "bookie" (bookkeeper) and Laura his beauty consultant (hairdresser). His last four years were spent living with his daughter Linda and her family where she was his loving caregiver. He had the best of care by her and the best team of doctors that anyone could ask for. He took his last breath surrounded by the immense love of all of his family, a love so strong that it was palpable in the room. He was strong in his faith and the Lord kept him from suffering. Right until the very end he did it his way. He will be greatly missed and always remembered with love and respect, for he was truly a great man. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society or the American Cancer Society. Because of the holiday there will not be a rosary, only a funeral mass said at 1 o'clock at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1244 St. Francis Rd. Santa Rosa, CA. Entombment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.