Timothy Jon Lemucchi

1937 - 2021

TIMOTHY JON LEMUCCHI

1937 2021

Timothy Jon Lemucchi was born at San Joaquin Hospital in Bakersfield, California on May 5, 1937 to Leah Williams Lemucchi and Louis Lemucchi. Four years later the family welcomed the birth of his sister Antonia.

Tim had a wonderful childhood and grew up influenced equally by his Italian grandparents (Joe and Emilia Lemucchi) and his English-American grandparents (James and Clara Williams). He received his informal education on the Williams cattle ranch near Woody and at Luigi's in East Bakersfield. His grandparents influenced him greatly, and he often said so.

Tim attended Catholic grammar schools in Bakersfield and remembered more than a few ruler whacks across the wrist when the boys play was a little too exuberant. Tim went to East Bakersfield High where he excelled in basketball, track, football, and, of course, scholastics. An E.B. counselor changed his life by suggesting that he apply to Stanford University, and the rest - as they say - is history. He did go Stanford (MS 1960) and did pledge to Zeta Psi fraternity where the comradeship extends to the present when Tim in June hosted a weekend in Bakersfield for twenty Zetes who lived in the fraternity house when he did.

Tim got married in Kansas City and moved to Washington D.C. where his daughter Lisa was born. Tim worked in the Capitol delivering mail to the Senators during the day and going to Georgetown Law School at night. He knew all the Senators and even their dogs some brought to work with them.

He moved then to Sacramento where he worked for the Legislature for several months. He was working on campaigns for different democratic candidates when an offer came that he could not refuse from Morris Chain, a well-known criminal defense lawyer in Bakersfield, offering Tim a job. Morris and Tim together successfully defended clients in several high profile criminal cases, and Tim carried on after Morris died.

But the law firm - by now Chain-Younger, Cooney, Jameson, and Lemucchi - was focusing on personal injury plaintiffs law, and Tim liked that better than calls from the jail in the middle of the night. He had a long career in personal injury and won countless court victories for his many clients.

Parallel to his outstanding achievements in the courtroom are physical feats predominantly in triathlons. This twenty year span of competition culminated in four Hawaii Ironman triathlons competing in the 50 - 54 and 55 - 59 ago groups. In winter he dog sledded in Alaska. In summer he did several weeks-long river kayak trips completely in the wilderness in the Arctic Circle. Not to mention bicycle races and running races, mountain climbing, and skiing.

His first marriage having ended in divorce during the Morris Chain days, Tim married a Shafter girl - Margaret Freedman. Timothy and Margaret enjoyed fifty-one years working together, traveling all over the world, live theater, fine dining, movies, sports including competition, operas in Santa Fe, socializing with friends, collecting art, expanding their education and lively conversation.

They also enjoyed dining at home on the terrace overlooking the Kern River, a home Tim enjoyed immensely where he could pursue his many interests including housing breeding wood ducks and writing books... histories of his maternal ancestors' trek to California in covered wagons and on horseback from Missouri; his paternal ancestors arrival from Lucca, Italy and their descendants; his athletic feats like climbing Denali in Alaska and Mt. Kommunizma in Russia; and his four Hawaii Ironman triathlons.

Tim was admired and loved by many - especially his extended family. That list includes his sister Antonia Valpredo, daughter Lisa (Philipp Lindorfer), brother-in-law Monte Valpredo, niece Monica Sacco (John), nephew Gino Valpredo (Sandra), niece Lanette Caratan (Christopher), sister-in-law Charlotte Spear, cousin David Bloom (Amy), special friends Jim McArthur, Gary McCain, and Craig Edmonston, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, his wife Margaret, and his beloved dog Susie.

Tim practiced law in Bakersfield for fifty-four years. He was always a gentleman in court and out. His many admirable traits were known far and wide. His influence will live on in his family members and the many people he touched.

Services will be at Greenlawn Cemetery at 3700 River Blvd., Bakersfield on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

If you wish to make a contribution in Tim's memory the family suggests Bakersfield College General Fund, 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield 93305 or Valley PBS Television, 1544 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93721 or any animal welfare charity of your choice.

www.bakersfield.com/obits