Paul Gambonini

Paul Gambonini passed away Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the age of 96 after a long illness.
He is survived by Elizabeth, his loving wife of 72 years; his daughter, Jean Hendricks of El Dorado Hills, CA and his son, Ralph Gambonini of Witter Springs, CA.
Preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn Waters of Witter Springs.
Paul had seven grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
He was born in a rural area of Marin County, west of Petaluma, attended a small rural school in Lakeville, south of Petaluma and graduated with the class of 34' from Petaluma High School.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Silvio Gambonini and brother to Ray Gambonini, Earl Gambonini and Edna Mae Brown.
Paul took flying lessons and earned his flying license at age 19. Soon after, he obtained his commercial license. After completing courses at Boeing School of Aeronautics in Oakland, CA he was hired by United Airlines and flew as a co-pilot from Denver, CO to Cheyenne, WY and Chicago, IL.
Paul and Elizabeth met at a New Year's dance in Petaluma and were married in 1939. He volunteered for the Army Air Corp and was accepted as an experienced pilot, bypassing flight school and combat training. He was in combat in Java and New Guinea in the first months of WWII and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. When he returned to the US he was stationed at Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee, FL where he was Operations Officer and left the Army Air Corp as a Lt. Colonel.
After the war, he returned to California and purchased a ranch in Lake County. He was both a cattle man and a dairy man and served on the Board of Trustees of the Petaluma Co-Op Creamery (Clover Brand) for 10 years. He and Elizabeth have lived on the ranch for 66 years.
Paul enjoyed golf and was a member of SIR's #100 (Sons In Retirement) in Petaluma, the Golden Roosters Trailer Club and the California Cattleman's Association. He was also a member of the Air Force Association and Legion of Valor.
His funeral mass will be held at Queen of the Rosary Catholic Church, 3972 Country Club Dr., Lucerne at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 8, 2012. Visitation will be from 3 - 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 7 with Rosary at 6 p.m. at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.
Family prefers donations in his name to Hanna Boys Center, P.O. Box 100, Sonoma, CA 95476-9989 or Queen of the Rosary Mission, 3972 Country Club Dr., Lucerne, CA 95458.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes 263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com
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