Giordano Emilio Stoia

Giordano Emilio Stoia passed away on Wednesday evening, January 15, 2020, in the loving arms of his wife Anna Stoia, and surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He was a resident of San Mateo, CA. Giordano was born in Valdarsa, Italy (a small village which is now Susnjevica, Croatia). His father immigrated to the U.S. when Giordano was 16 months old, in the hopes of making a path for his wife and son. However, World War II complicated things a bit. At the age of 15, Giordano and his mom left their home, and relocated to a refugee camp near Arezzo, Italy (with the ultimate goal of immigration to the United States). They then moved to Genoa where they were able to obtain visas for their journey. At the immigration office, Giordano spotted a cute girl across the room (more on that later). Giordano and his mother arrived in San Francisco in July of 1956 and reunited with his father after 20 years. He began working with his father as a concrete mason and during his free time, he enjoyed playing soccer. Two months after he arrived, at one of his soccer games, he saw the cute girl he spotted at the immigration office in Genoa. Her name was Anna (his wife of 62+ years). They married in North Beach. Over the next ten years, the family grew to 5. Although they started with nothing, Giordano's ethic of hard work, determination, and dedication to his family gave them a life rich in culture, stability and most importantly, love. He was devoted to his faith …he was kind, generous …he was hard-working, courageous, …he was charming, loving, …and as many know, …a whole lot of fun. Giordano was also the ultimate host, …immediately asking: "what can I get you to drink?" Giordano loved life. He loved being with family and friends; He loved to travel (by the way, he spoke 5 languages); He loved to dance and was often compared to Fred Astaire; He loved meeting up with his buddies at Bay Meadows; He loved challenges and mastering new things. Giordano is survived by his wife Anna, his three children Julie (Mark), Helen (Paul), and Jimmy, and his 6 grandchildren Danielle, Jennifer, Monica, Catherine, Rachel, and Maria. In lieu of flowers, masses can be made in his name (St Gregory's in San Mateo), or donations in his memory to Alzheimer's Association.