Ugo Quilici

Ugo Quilici, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, died peacefully August 29, 2024, surrounded by family in El Sobrante, California. Born on September 3, 1935, in Pozzuolo, Italy, to Dina Pieri and Giovanni Quilici, he immigrated to the United States at 21 with his father and brother to join relatives in San Francisco. In 1960, Ugo met the love of this life, Alva Jean Bertolucci of Bakersfield, and after a short 6-month engagement, they tied the knot and settled in the Portola District of San Francisco. There they raised their three daughters and built a strong foundation which laid the path to his lasting legacy - a strong, united, loving family. A dedicated family man and hard worker, Ugo provided for his family by working for the Sunset Scavenger Company for 30+ years. In 1985, the Quilici's moved to El Sobrante, drawn by a quieter community surrounded by nature where Ugo and Alva could enjoy their retirement.

Ugo loved hunting and fishing, was renowned as a great shot, and spent weekends during duck season at the Delevan Wildlife Refuge, creating lasting memories with friends and his trusty labrador retrievers. Later in life, when he could no longer hunt, he became more like St. Francis of Assisi, enjoying nature by birdwatching and feeding all the wildlife that came to visit in his backyard. Like his father, Ugo had a green thumb, and his passion for growing the best Italian tomatoes was enjoyed by friends and family, with whom he generously shared his bountiful crops each summer.

He was a devout Catholic, attending mass weekly, praying daily, and following Jesus' teachings to forgive and love one another unconditionally. God gifted him with a beautiful voice, and he loved to sing, bursting into song at any given moment. At family gatherings he would sing his favorite tunes from artists like Pavarotti, Madugno, and Bocelli, and of course, his favorite song which we always loved listening to was "Volare."

His family has many fond memories of festive gatherings at Donner Lake with their "calamari king," countless fishing trips, and peaceful moments on the island of Maui, which was his ultimate happy place, being one with nature in all its beauty.

Ugo is survived by his wife, Alva Quilici, his three daughters - Dena Marchini and husband Andrea, Annette Papapietro and husband Steve, Sandra Oltranti and husband Steve, - cherished grandchildren Lisa, Lora, Nicky, Joey, Amanda, Nicole, Christopher, Giovanni and Giulia, - and great grandchildren Luke, Isabella, Dominic, Gianna, Mia, Dean, and Keith. He was so proud of them all and enjoyed spending countless hours together celebrating all their important milestones. He was a gentle giant with a kind soul, and we will miss him dearly. May his soul rest in peace.

Ugo's family would like to thank his loving caregivers, Marina de Jones, Ana Misi, and Meletoto Misi, who were there during the laughs and tears, providing great care until the last day.

If you would like to make a gift in his memory, you can plant a tree or donate to any animal or wildlife conservation organization.