NAZZARENO DELL'ERA

Nazzareno (Reno) Dell'Era Arrividerci, Dad, Nonno, Bisnonno Nazzareno (Reno) Dell'Era. Born August 27, 1910 in Dorio, Italy, (Lake Como). Reno immigrated to this country with his family in 1912 at the age of 18 months. He died after a brief illness but a very full life on March 18, 2010 at the great age of 99 1/2. Reno came from a family of eleven children. He was the last born in Italy. All but two preceded him in death, Jordan Dell'Era of Stockton and Bono Dell'Era (Letty) of San Rafael. He leaves many nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. The Dell 'Era family lived in various areas of Marin County--Escalle, The Bon Air Hotel property (where Marin General Hospital is now) and finally the family home on D Street in San Rafael. The eucalyptus trees, near the hospital, were planted by him to shade his chicken coop. Reno had helped various local historians with information about "early" Marin County and was proud of his contribution. Reno was a Renaissance man who only had an eighth grade education. He enjoyed reading, and writing poetry and essays. And he loved relating his philosophy of life. He could build anything in wood or metal, usually on a large scale! He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards and gardening. He started working young supporting his family by milking cows, fishing, and hunting. At age 16, he began working for the railroad. He then worked for Pacific Bell for 47 years. He was the lineman who strung the phone lines for the Golden Gate Bridge, actually going across the bridge on a plank, high up in the towers, pulling the telephone line with him. He was a member of the Masons, Club Italia, The SIRS, and The Telephone Pioneers. Reno always enjoyed company. Friends and relatives frequently stopped by. He appreciated all the help, rides and companionship from his brother, Bono and Bono's sons, David (deceased) and Don, who made meals and shared hunting stories with him. Thanks for all the visits and food from (nephews and nieces) Aldo and Rosemary, Bob and Alice and Roger and Sue. He was delighted with the cakes baked by neighbor and friend, Babe Leonardi. He was happy to receive phone calls from his brother, Jordan, His brother-in-law, Lyle Wedberg and his niece, Geraldine Vaesicca, who brought him back to his childhood when she spoke to him in Italian. His beloved wife, Rita Pedrazzoli Dell'Era preceded him in death in June 2005. They celebrated 69 years of marriage in May of that year. They had two daughters: Denise Penders (Tom-deceased) and Louise DeRosa (Jerry). There are five grandchildren Sean Penders (Shannon) Genise Swain (Barry), Kelley Baxter (Brian), Tony DeRosa, and Reno Penders (Courtney). There are also eight great-grandchildren Grace, Tristan, Savannah, Natalie, Ella, Siena, Thomas and Reno. He is also survived by his other "daughters in friendship" Edie Lawrence and Sue Ord. Special thanks and heartfelt love go to his long-time caregivers, Flora Shirrell and Charlotte Douglass, who became part of his family also. A celebration of his life and 100th birthday will be held at the DeRosa home in Novato on August 28, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.