Reno Rapagnani

Reno N. Rapagnani

November 19, 1920 - September 7, 2016

Reno N. Rapagnani, Sr., 95, passed away peacefully in San Francisco on September 7, 2016

Born Nazzarreno (Reno) Rapagnani in Morrovalle, the only son of Lorenzo and Erminia (Castegnani) Rapagnani, in the province of Macerata, in the Marche Region of Italy on November 19, 1920.

In 1922, "Nazzareno" came to San Francisco for the first time when he was 2 years old with his mother, Erminia Castegnani, to join his father, Lorenzo, who had a restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf. They travelled from Genoa on the "Europa" and arrived in New York City in July of 1922.

Apparently the new world didn't agree with his mother, so they returned to Italy. While "Nazzarreno" was a little boy, his mother became ill in Morrovalle and died, so "Nazzareno" then travelled back to San Francisco in 1932, on the "Augusta" by himself, at the age of only 12, arriving in New York City on New Year's Day. He had the obligatory stay for all immigrants at Ellis Island, then traveled overland to San Francisco.

While in school in San Francisco at St. Peter and Paul's there was a competition where all the Italian children had to write an essay about what made Italy great. "Nazzareno" who was now called "Reno" won the contest and was sent to Italy as the first prize.

In 1934, Reno returned from Italy for the last time, at the age of 13, on the "Saturnia," sailing from Naples and arriving in New York City, and then back to San Francisco, which became his home until his death in 2016.

Reno attended Sts. Peter and Paul Grammar school, Francisco Junior High, and Galileo High School. He was inducted into the Galileo High School Sports Hall of Fame in the 1990's, and the San Francisco Police Officers' Association Athletic Hall of Fame – both for swimming.

Reno was a lifelong swimmer, learning to swim as a teenager after seeing a Tarzan movie. He trained with the famous local swim coach, Charlie Sava, and helped to train Olympic Gold Medalist, Ann Curtis, and also swam laps to push Wendy Nelder, (also a swimmer, who would later become the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors) to faster competitive times. At an informal swimming exposition, Reno swam against the multi Gold Medal Olympic swimmers, Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe. Reno was a natural swimmer and competitor. He swam for the South End Rowing Club, the United States Navy, and the San Francisco Police Department, and won the Golden Gate Swim at least 7 times, as well as the San Francisco to Treasure Island Swim in 1951. Reno also swam for the San Francisco Police Department and won over 40 Gold Medals competing in various Police Olympics.

During WWII Reno was a Pharmacist Mate 1st Class in the U.S. Navy attached to the Marine Corps. In addition to serving in Panama and the South Pacific Theater, he and his wife, Ann (Occhipinti) Rapagngni, Marine Corps Private First Class, were sent to various venues to put on swimming exhibitions to raise money for US Savings Bonds for the war effort.

After the war, Reno went to work at Alfred's Restaurant, in San Francisco as a maître d' with his father, who was the chef. He joined the San Francisco Police Department in 1949 and worked at Mission and Taraval Stations, and eventually became the Property Clerk, a position he retired from in 1977.

He was a local political activist, helping his lifelong friend and swimming partner, Wendy Nelder when she ran for the Board of Supervisors, as well as campaigning for former Mayor Art Agnos. He was also heavily involved in former Mayor Joe Alioto's California gubernatorial run as well as Judge Jack Ertola, and former Supervisor and Judge Quentin Kopp.

Reno was also an accomplished accordion player and entertained many in North Beach, particularly at La Rocca's corner, as well as at many family parties.

Reno is predeceased by his first wife, Ann (Occhipinti) Rapagnani, who died in 1982 and his second wife, Tina (Tialdi) Rapagnani, who died in 2001. He is survived by his son, retired SFPD Sergeant, Reno L. (Leanna M. Dawydiak) Rapagnani, his grandchildren, Reno V. Rapagnani, Rose Ann Cecile Dawydiak-Rapagnani and John-Paolo Dawydiak-Rapagnani, his brother in law Chet Occhipinti, as well as and his many Occhipinti nieces and nephews, as well as the Tealdi family.

There will be a Rosary and Visitation on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 5 pm at McAvoy O'Hara Evergreen Mortuary at 4545 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118. A Roman Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 10 am at St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118. A reception will follow the rosary on Sunday, and a celebration of his life will follow the funeral on Monday.

Donations may be made to the Irene Swindell Alzheimer's Center, 3698 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94118.