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Richard Vannucci Obituary
Resident of Castro Valley
Richard was born in San Francisco on October 7, 1937 and passed away at the age of 79 on Thursday August 10 of heart failure. He was preceded in death by his parents Rudolph and Mabel. He is survived by his brother Gary, also by many cousins and friends. Gary appreciates all the help his cousin Bill Lucchesi provided in the last months of his brother's life. Also to Gayle and Fred Matsumoto, Art Smith, Greg Hickey and George Nobori for their assistance.
Richard was raised in Oakland and was a graduate of Castlemont High School in 1956 and also enjoyed his involvement with their class reunions. Shortly after graduating, Richard joined the Navy in 1956. He served in the Navy in both Active and Reserve status for over 35 years achieving the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer which he was very proud of attaining. He had two tours in the Vietnam conflict in 1956. Richard was a lifelong parishioner of St. Louis Bertrand Church, was a member of the church choir, and volunteered at the church's Food Locker serving food to the people in need.
Richard worked for the Parks and Recreation Department in Oakland, Hayward and Fremont for over 30 years. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed passing his talents of gardening to anyone who would listen. Richard was also a dedicated crew member of the Liberty ship USS Jeremiah O'Brien in San Francisco and enjoyed preparing meals for the crew and recruiting new volunteers. Richard was a huge jazz supporter especially to the Bob Enos Big Band and other Jazz venues in the bay area.
Richard was a member of the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA) and a recipient of the 1776 NERA award. He was also a member of the Naval Order of the United States and was in the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley VFW Post 9601 and the Moose Lodge 1491. Richard was involved in the following Italian Associations: American Heritage, Fratellanza Club, Buon Tempo Club, Colombo Club and Galileo Club.
Friends and family are invited to the viewing on Thursday August 17th from 4:00 – 8:30PM with a vigil at 7:00 PM at Holy Angels Funeral and Cremation Center (510) 537-6600 at 1051 Harder Rd. Hayward. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday August 18th at 11:00 AM at St. Louis Bertrand Parish 1410 100th Ave in Oakland (510-568-1080). Entombment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on Mission Blvd. in Hayward with full military honors. Donations may be made out to the St. Louis Bertrand Food Locker.
View the online memorial for AKCM RICHARD J. VANNUCCI USNR, Ret.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Vannucci
Sponsored by East Bay Times.
John Preston
September 4, 2024
I worked for Rich at the City of Fremont before I went to Boot Camp in 1981. Rich was a good man who gave me a lot of good advice and mentoring that served me well in life.
Gary Vannucci
August 15, 2022
It has been 5 years since you passing still miss you my big brother love ya.
Latoya A
February 11, 2020
GREAT THATOUGHTS"
Rushes thru my mind of you VANNIH!!! 2/11/2020 all of great memories working with you nearly two years straight not only did you become my favorite patient but honestly a favorable person my everyday life you are so blunt funny energize just a ball to work with you are so upfront real about pretty much everything any topic that came about from Pierce the news music food history anything you didnt mind talkin about it you are so funny I swear I miss you so much vanniH we formed a great friendship over the years nothing but positive energy and thats what I miss most I can go on and on but may you rest in peace much love to you always and forever the caretaker, care partner, friend, unexpended family member LOL
Accentcare(team member)
Latoya A ....!
John Preston
August 19, 2018
I worked for Rich at the City of Fremont in 1981 before going in the Navy. He was a good man. Sorry to learn of his passing.John Preston
Mike Sandell
February 3, 2018
Richard was my boss for a while with the city of Fremont on the Medians Crew me Paul and Anderson was a great crew with Rich being our supervisor. We were both US Navy reservist he got me to Join NERA and volunteer on the liberty ship Jeremiah O'Brian. He was great to work for. After he retired from the city we kept in touch he even showed up all decked out in his Chiefs Uniform at my US Navy retirement ceremony the Navy photo's are from that. We sent Christmas cards every year this year I did not get one so knew some thing was wrong and how I found out he passed away. I am out of the loop since I now been living in Montana for some years after retiring from the city if I knew would of made it down for the funeral so a little late posting here. Rest in peace Rich you will be missed I hope your in a better place.
Mike Sandell
Mike Sandell
February 3, 2018
Mike Sandell
February 3, 2018
Dan Kalashian
August 25, 2017
Ritchie my friend, I shall always remember the inflection in your voice as you shared your passionate love for our Lord. Your love for the sea through your years of service also rang with joyful notes. The Lord truly blessed you my friend. With a smile in my heart and on my face, I will remember you as a faithful and loyal brother in Christ. I rest confidently that His love, peace and joy will be with your spirit forever. Smooth sailing dear friend, shipmate and brother Cursillista. Dan Kalashian
John Gilbert
August 22, 2017
John Gilbert
August 21, 2017
Rest In Peace....
John Garibaldi
August 17, 2017
Rest in Peace cousin Richard. My mother Romilda and the Garibaldi family enjoyed seeing you throughout the years. We admired your energy and vitality and love for your country and also all things Italian.
Leon Francisco
August 17, 2017
Rest now Master Chief. You have guided a lot of young sailors in your lifetime of naval service. You accomplished so much and your dedication to the navy reserves is beyond reproach. Thank you for showing me the way to a wonderful and memorable naval career.
Raymond Wong
August 17, 2017
My condolences to the Vannucci family. I have known Richie for decades. We worked together on several Navy related projects. He will be missed. May he rest in peace while in the presence of our good Lord. Fair winds and following seas.
ICC Raymond Wong, USNR (Ret)
Zelda Bucher
August 17, 2017
I will miss Vannucci and the far ranging conversations we used to have, on everything from the history of various Oakland neighborhoods to the Park Dept garden crew at the Oakland Museum, and always food, and jazz. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm, didn't suffer fools, and was never afraid to tell you exactly how he felt. I will miss his zest for life! God speed, Vannucci. I hope by now that you & Philip have again taken up the animated debates that used to rage in our living room after a couple of beers! I will forever think of you every time I listen to Chet Baker.
Mary Vernoy
August 16, 2017
Rich was a true Shipmate. I had the privilege of working with him at NERA for many years. Prayers for him and his family. ATC Mary Vernoy USNR-RETPast National Treasurer NERA
Sandra Ramella
August 16, 2017
Rest In Peace Cugino. Martin and I will miss your notes and cards. You were great at keeping us informed of the Italian American Events going on and although we could not attend many of them we always appreciated your correspondence. Con anima
John Dowd
August 16, 2017
Rest in peace Rich. Thanks for reminding me that "not everybody loves John Dowd."
David Perzinski
August 16, 2017
We at the Italian American Heritage Foundation will dearly miss Richard our longtime member and volunteer. Our prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
David Perzinski
president IAHF
Alisa Clancy
August 16, 2017
Thank You Gary for the message--Richard was much loved by all of our jazz staff over here at KCSM. Wonderful to read his history here.
Gary Vannucii
August 16, 2017
Rest in peace and God Bless you Brother
Jeanette Davis
August 15, 2017
Vannucci will be greatly missed. He had great history story, and always willing to help out anywhere he could RIP
Jeanette Davis
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Memorial Events
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Aug
17
Viewing
4:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Holy Angels Funeral Center & Holy Sepulchre Cemetery26320 Mission Blvd. 1051 Harder Rd, Hayward, CA 94542
Aug
17
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Holy Angels Funeral Center & Holy Sepulchre Cemetery26320 Mission Blvd. 1051 Harder Rd, Hayward, CA 94542
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Holy Angels Funeral Center & Holy Sepulchre Cemetery26320 Mission Blvd. 1051 Harder Rd, Hayward, CA 94542
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