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Angelo D. Taverna Oct 5, 1919 - Jun 5, 2018 San Francisco lost a loyal brother last week. Angelo D. Taverna passed in his home, Tuesday, June 5 at 98 years young.
Survived by his nieces and nephews Lisa and Orlando Cavallaro, Pari Rossi, Cindy Begemann, Jim Rossi, Bill Rossi, Stacey Hilton and the hundreds of other family and friends he has loved spanning coast to coast.
Born October 5, 1919 in Rome, NY, a son of Italian immigrants who came to the US through Ellis Island with the dream of a new life. Angelo was the last remaining of 12 siblings, and the last to hold the key to the Taverna family history.
They were a family of entrepreneurs. First, the family bakery in Rome, NY, each child working and learning how to earn a day's wage to provide for their family. Later, many of the siblings went on to architecture, hairdressing, or construction businesses; but Angelo found his niche as a florist after serving in the US Navy on a ship transport where he worked as a machinist. To earn a couple of extra dollars he would provide tailoring for many Navy personnel. He was involved in 4 naval landings in the Pacific against occupied Japanese Islands.
Angelo arrived in SF over 60 years ago, fell in love with the city and never left. And throughout his years living in this beautiful city, he has cemented his memory and has impacted countless lives.
Angelo opened Balboa St. Florists in San Francisco and became a staple in any major event going on during that time. He was a successful business owner and operator until he retired in 1982.
Angelo was a self-educated scholar in academia and in life. While traveling the globe a couple times over he, continued to attend classes at USF at the Fromm Institute of Lifelong Learning until well into his 90's, giving his historical perspective to our future generations.
Angelo was private a "politician" and a renowned humanitarian as noted by his tenure at the Kiwanis Club and his presidency for many years, and was a lifelong member of the American Legion. In addition, he supported countless other organizations throughout his lifetime.
Angelo was a lover of beauty; from his commitment and love of the SF Symphony and Opera to decorating his Victorian home in local artistry and worldly artifacts. He was a self trained woodworker, artist and chef and embodied creativity and love in every aspect of his life.
And he was incredible dancer. His dance card was always full on the hundreds of cruises he made around the world.
Most of all, family was Angelo's priority. Never having children of his own, he became a father figure to those that lost their own at a young age. He became a teacher, mentor, and confidant and never a negative word was spoken about another. The sacrifice, the generosity and the love he gifted them will forever remain in his legacy.
Angelo's family would like pay a special thanks to some very important people in Angelo's life: Carlos Rosales, Javier Jiminez, Cecilia Ibarra, Bob Carrigan and all the guys who met regularly at Bambino's on Tuesday night.
In keeping with Angelo's wishes, private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Any donations you wish to make can be made to the , the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning or the Kiwanis.
The world lost the most dynamic and amazing man, but we all know he is, most likely, dancing in the clouds and "saluding" his family that he has been missing for so long.
"Until we sit at the dinner table with you again. You may be gone, but you will never, ever be forgotten. Love you forever."
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Published in San Francisco Chronicle on June 12, 2018
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