Robert "Bob" Paciotti

Robert (Bob) Paciotti entered into rest on July 2, 2010, with his family by his side, after a long and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born on February 22, 1948 in Eveleth, MN the son of Carlo and Frances Paciotti. He was raised in Gilbert, MN and graduated from High School there. He went on to graduate from the University of MN with a Business & Economics degree and the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking.

He was employed by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, in 1970 and worked there until he was twenty-six, when he assumed the duties of CEO and Director of the First National Bank of Marinette, WI. He remained in banking for over twenty years holding various positions with the Bank of Montana System including President and Director of several of their unit banks and Senior Vice President of the holding company. He joined Rainier Bank of Seattle, WA in 1985 and remained with them and their successor banks until starting his own business in 1992 and then later purchasing and starting additional businesses in 1994 and 1995.

Participating in community activities was something Bob always believed in. He held positions as President and Director of the Chamber of Commerce, President and Director of the United Way, and President and Director of two Downtown Development Corporations. Locally, he was a charter member of the Mount Vernon/Skagit Rotary and was a Paul Harris recipient. He was a former Director of the Skagit Valley YMCA and was active in supporting several local charitable organizations. Giving back to his community was very important to him.

Bob was very fortunate to have many wonderful friends in every community he lived. He enjoyed spending time with them and was recently able to reunite with many from past communities. He loved life and got great satisfaction in making everyone around him feel welcome. He was happiest when he was able to make others smile. He loved to cook and always welcomed people into his home for a bite to eat, where nobody ever left hungry. He loved the sunshine and the water and had many wonderful memories of times spent with friends and family at Big Lake, Lake Pearrygin, and Lake Havasu.

Phenomenal husband, father, and grandfather doesn't even begin to describe him. He was the most generous and caring person who worked hard all of his life to take care of his family. We could never say enough to express the amount of love, caring, and support he gave to all of us. We feel very fortunate for the time we shared with him and for what we learned from him. Although we all long for more, we have many wonderful memories to cherish.

Bob was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by the loves of his life; his wife of 40 years, Sandi, his two daughters, Jeannie (Adam) Englund of Mount Vernon and Andrea (Eric) VanPelt of Burlington, a very special Niece Penny Paciotti of Sedro Woolley, three very special grandchildren Aiden Englund and Grace and Jacob VanPelt and a special Grand Nephew Tyler Paciotti-Oka. He is also survived by his brother Louis (Mary Jane) Paciotti, sister-in-law Debbie (Bruce) Kangas, brother-in-law Bruce (Mary) Beloy, and brother-in-law Brian Beloy, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 10:00 AM, at Immaculate Conception's St. Joseph Center located at 215 N 15th Street, Mount Vernon, WA. Donations may be made in Bob's name to Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation – Cancer Center Fund - PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance - Esophageal C