Reno Barbieri

Reno Barbieri

Nov. 3, 1926

Apr. 26, 2014

"God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms around you and whispered come to me." After a valiant battle with Alzheimer's, at the age of 87, Reno Barbieri passed peacefully in his sleep on April 26 to be reunited in heaven with his wife.

Victorino Amadeo was born November 3, 1926 to Amadeo and Maddalena Barbieri, Italian immigrants who had settled on A Street in Sparks. Reno attended Sparks schools and graduated from Sparks High in 1945. He immediately left to serve in the Army and was stationed in the Philippines during World War II.

When the war was over, Reno worked a short time for Brown Motors. He started with the Post Office in 1951 as a postal clerk working primarily at the historic Reno downtown post office. In 1982, he retired after 31 years. This was short lived, as he went to work in the mailroom for the MGM Grand/Ballys/Reno Hilton. After another 22 years and at the age of 78, he truly retired. Reno also worked a second job as a janitor for First National Bank for 30+ years.

On February 21, 1954, Reno married Genevieve Tacchino and they celebrated 56 years of marriage until her passing in September 2010. Reno is survived by daughter Judy and husband Randy May of Loyalton; and grandsons Brian (Aubree); Scott (Whitney) and great grandson Carter. Their youngest daughter Vicky and husband Jerry Tone of Reno have two children, Nicholas (fiancé Kelsey Schuster) and Shelly.

Reno is also survived by brothers Carl (Ilda) of Atherton; and Mario (Rosie) of Reno, and sister Ines (Joe) Abba of Lodi; and sister-in-laws Gloria Frediani and Jean Tacchino; and many extended family members.

Reno had been an active member of the Italian Benevolent Society and Knights of Columbus, and served as Grand Knight from 1974-75. He loved to golf, especially mornings at the old Brookside golf course.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2nd at 10:00 am at St. Theresa Little Flower Church. There will be a viewing Thursday, May 1st from 6-8 pm at Walton Funeral Home on 2nd Street. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to your favorite charity or the Alzheimer's Association, 1301 Cordone Ave, Suite 180, Reno.

The family wishes to express tremendous gratitude for the caregivers at Emeritus of Reno, and Gentiva Hospice. Thank you for your loving care of our Dad and "Nonno."

Arrangements are being handled by Walton Funeral Home in Reno.