Robert Minardi

Robert A. Minardi September 21, 1922 - October 18, 2012 Resident of Pebble Beach and San Jose Much loved husband and father, World War II B-17 Flying Fortress pilot, war hero, consummate golfer, fisherman, successful businessman and community activist, and ardent lover of vodka with a twist, Robert A. Minardi ("Bob" to all who knew him) passed peacefully after having dinner with his beloved wife, Elinor (or "Tiger" as he called her) on Thursday evening, October 18. He was ninety years old. Bob was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1922 and moved to California with his entire extended family when he was a baby. He grew up on 7th Street with the rest of his many cousins and attended St. Mary Elementary School, Bellarmine College Preparatory, and San Jose State until he joined the Air Corps in 1942. He quickly excelled and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and pilot in 1943. The same year he married Elinor, and they traveled together to various Army Air Force bases until he left for combat with the Ninth Air Force in England in 1944. There he completed 35 missions in his B-17 "Ida Wanna" and was awarded both the Flying Cross and Army Medal for bravery. When he returned to San Jose in 1945, he joined the family's grocery business in Hollister. In 1948, he began his life long career in the trucking business and grew Garden City Transportation into a thriving company. He became President of the Truck Owners Of California Association at 28 years old (now the California Trucking Association), and while developing his business, he involved himself as the leader of a slew of community activities and received the Junior Chamber of Commerce's highest accolade, "The Young Man of the Year" award in 1958. Bob co-founded Coastal Terminals Inc., a public warehousing company, in 1956, and then semi-retired in 1990 when Coastal Terminals Inc. merged with San Jose Warehousing Inc., forming San Jose Distribution Services. Bob and Elinor had three children: Karen, Kenneth (but always known as "Bobby") and Gary. While raising his family, building his business, and doing community service, Bob found time to play golf at least twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays at La Riconada Country Club where he was various flights champion for many years and a low handicapper. He played with the same foursome for fifty years-both at LaRiconada and later at Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Bob was "still shooting his age" when he officially stop playing at 87. When Bob wasn't golfing, he was fishing with his sons Bobby and Gary. They fished together on "Fish and Ships" and "Slammin' Salmon"at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor where they spent many happy hours trolling for salmon and rock fishing. Bob is survived by Elinor, his beloved "Tiger" wife of sixty-nine years: his daughter Karen DeMonner and sons Bob and Gary Minardi; five grandchildren: Joe and Gina Minardi, Mike Minardi, Lisa Hansen, and Nick DeMonner; and one great grandchild Tyler Hansen, as well as his sister, Theresa "Sis" Malizia. Bob's family and friends are planning a celebration of his life and ask that donations be made in his name to The Hospice of the Valley, 4850 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124. 1.408.559.5600.