Giuseppe Pasquale

Giuseppe Pasquale passed away peacefully in Sacramento, California, on the evening of December 19, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him. At the age of 93, he was finally allowed to rejoin his father Filippo, his beloved mother, Maria, his sister, Rosina, and his two brothers, Mario and Antonio. He is survived by his last remaining sister, Anna Masciantonio.

He has left behind his devoted wife of 56 years, Maria, who dedicated herself fully to caring for him until his last moments. He was deeply loved by his daughters Elisa Arostegui and Anna Kavanagh, as well as their husbands Dr. Tom Arostegui and Dean Kavanagh, who were as true sons to him. His grandchildren, Dr. AnnaMaria Molinar, Joseph Arostegui and Tony Arostegui will forever miss their Grandpa.

Giuseppe was born the third of five children in Lama dei Peligni, Italy, on August 21, 1932, to Filippo Pasquale and Maria Ficca. During the second world war, he and his family were forced to flee their hometown in advance of the German invasion. They spent several years in refugee camps until they could finally return to Lama. His father had died in the war, and, still a child, Giuseppe was forced to leave school to help support his mother and younger siblings. He worked at any job that earned and took pride in succeeding at any task set before him, whether as a book binder or a construction worker. His intense work ethic and pursuit of perfection made him into a man that anyone could rely on and trust, but it was the twinkle in his eye, his good looks and easy charm that made him into a man that anyone could love.

In 1956, Giuseppe was recruited from his Italian hometown by Rhodesia Railways to work on the rail lines of the growing British colony in southern Africa. At the age of 23, he, again, sacrificed his own desires and braved the unknown to find the work that might support his family. He taught himself English in the short weeks before arriving in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, a relatively large town populated by European emigrants who had settled there after the war. In his single days, when he wasn't working, he found recreation with the friends he quickly made in this new world. He brought the same level of perfection to his play as he did to his work, showing off his talents as a great soccer player, a formidable billiards opponent and a feared bocce competitor.

Among the expatriates in Bulawayo, was a young Italian woman named Maria Furia. After seeing her for the first time at an International Trade Fair, he proclaimed to his friend, "That is the woman I'm going to marry." On July 12, 1969, Maria and Giuseppe were, indeed, married, and by 1971 they had welcomed two daughters into their family. Shortly after his second child was born, Giuseppe was obligated as a new train engineer to take a three-year turn in the remote area of the Wankie Game Reserve, where he took his wife and two infant daughters. He had worked his way from coal stoker to the prestigious role of railroad engineer, responsible for driving huge steam locomotives across the African bush, managing a range of unique dangers from stampeding herds of wildebeest to the surprisingly more dangerous charging bull elephant, which could easily derail a locomotive. Giuseppe was always glad to return from his long journeys and would happily roll into town, letting Maria know he was home by blowing the distinctive whistle he reserved only for her.

The young family completed their required stint in the bush and quickly moved back to Bulawayo, but due to political unrest and terrorist threat, they almost immediately began to make preparations to leave the country. They applied for citizenship to the United States, and thanks to the efforts of Maria's sister, Angelina Loyd, the family received U.S. residency and permission to emigrate. The family arrived in Sacramento, California, in late 1977, having left behind literally everything they had built in Africa.

Once again, Giuseppe would have to start his life over. He worked his full-time job all week and worked side jobs every weekend, where he brought all his natural and learned talents were put to use. He did everything from laying cement to pruning trees to fixing fences. He said once that he worked as hard as he could in jobs that he didn't choose, so that one day his daughters could choose whatever career they wanted. The goal was always clear: he would keep working until he rebuilt their world and created the best life for him and his family. While there wasn't much spare time for him in the early years, he found enjoyment riding his bike on the American River Bike Trail, playing bocce at East Portal Park and working long hours in his astoundingly abundant victory garden. This was a man who was never still. Neighbors could always see him in his front yard watering plants, raking leaves or sweeping the driveway - but he always had time to stop and wave, share a laugh, talk of the weather or give essential wisdom on everything from world affairs to the only real definition of "football."

Giuseppe proudly retired from SMUD in 1992, but he never took that as a reason to stop working. He continued to ride his bicycle, garden and chop wood until the age of 90. It was only until he was hit by a car while riding his bike did his age seem to finally catch up to him. Suffering from injuries that kept him immobile for months, he began a physical decline that would eventually claim his life. But while his body aged in the years after the accident, the youthful charm he had as a young man seemed to be rekindled. He became more tender, more joyful and more grateful for the life and family he had built through his tireless work and perseverance.

Ever since he left his hometown of Lama, Giuseppe longed for the people, places and memories he had left behind. He dreamed of returning to his precious home, seeing his family and visiting the mountain forests and rivers one last time. While his injuries made it impossible for him to physically travel, he travelled there often in his mind, walking the streets of Lama and dreaming of his distant and departed family. We are comforted in the knowledge that Giuseppe can once again inhabit the beauty of his birthplace and sit at the table with his loving family, who have been anxiously awaiting his arrival.