Richard Lawrence Vannucci

1922 - 2025

Richard Lawrence Vannucci
August 3, 1922 - February 3, 2025
With loving and heavy hearts, we share the news of Richard (Dick) Vannucci's passing in Santa Rosa on Feb. 3, 2025. Affectionately known in our family as Grandpa Nucci, he was 102 years old.
A native Californian, he was born at his family's Laguna Road ranch in Trenton, to parents Lawrence and Della Vannucci, who died when he was young. He was raised by his father's sister, Linda Martini, at Martini Winery.
He enjoyed extraordinary health and vitality throughout his long life. Truly an original man, at 102 he still had his original knees, hips and shoulders and no cataracts!
He lived independently until he was 101, then transitioned gratefully to the homecare of two amazing caregivers, Gena and Elenoa. The family is deeply appreciative of their love and care for him.
A humble and honorable man, he knew how to give love and was loved by so many in return. His deepest affection was for his family and his hugs. He kept a poem, "HUGS," in his wallet and would unfold it carefully and read it from beginning to end for lucky recipients.
He was married for nearly 60 years to Maxine (Tonelli) Vannucci. Together, they raised Maxine's four children from a previous marriage. She died in August 2014 at age 90.
He found great joy sharing time with his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids. Each of them brought love and happiness into his life. And he filled their childhoods with endearing names and cherished moments experienced with them.
He was a vibrant and knowledgeable man with a remarkable memory. He retained the knowledge he gained from reading; he always had a wealth of information stored in his mind. He fascinated all who were fortunate enough to engage in conversation with him.
Richard delivered petroleum products for over 32 years until he retired at 65, and he continued to drive on his own until he was 98. Whenever you took him for a drive anywhere in Sonoma County, he would point out, in every direction, roads you never knew existed all delivery locations from his working years. His recall for the people he met and the places he went was astonishing.
Travel was never very far from home, although it was always memorable. He and Maxine started an annual summer tradition in Lake County: camping at Le Trianon Resort at Blue Lakes, where five generations of our family now have shared happiness and made memories and continue to enjoy to this day.
Another special place was Gibbs Ranch in Wells, NV. He loved the Gibbs family, who became part of his life when his daughter, Lana Tonelli, married William Gibbs.
In addition to his parents and wife Maxine, he was preceded in death by his daughter Lana [Tonelli] Gibbs; grandson William Matthew Gibbs; great-grandson Jesse John Pengally; and son-in-law Rich Patton.
He is survived by daughter Pamela Patton of Portland; son Ronald Tonelli (Calista) of Santa Rosa; daughter Donna Cromie (Timothy) of Santa Rosa; son-in-law William Gibbs of Wells; and by 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren, plus nieces and nephews, and his daughter by love, Roxana [Rocky] Call.
Details for a celebration of life will be announced for family and friends at a future date. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice. He and Maxine's final resting place will be Gibbs Ranch in Wells, NV.