Stanley A. Ziganti

The "Center of the Universe" Is Missing Its Heart Stanley Ziganti was a big man. At 6'6", he was hard to miss in a crowd. But more often than not he was the center of that crowd-surrounded by his friends, surrounded by his grandkids and great-grandkids, surrounded by his family. Because for Big Poppa, family was the rock upon which all else was built. Yet this gentleman in the old fashioned sense of the word, a man of great inner strength yet gentle ways, built "families" wherever he went and whatever he did. To know Stan was to like him. To be his friend was to be part of his family. He used to call Healdsburg the "Center of the Universe" as he seemed to know everyone. When with him, you came to believe there truly was only two degrees of separation between anyone he met, anywhere, and the town and people he loved. Stan passed away October 14, 2011 in Healdsburg. He was born in Geyserville on December 25, 1930. His mother, Antonia (aka Nana), interrupted Christmas dinner preparation to give birth to him. The delivery-according to the family-was in a turkey roaster. Obviously, in a family with nine kids, it helped to have a sense of humor. Mary (Barrett) was the eldest daughter, then John, Ann (Hamblin), Carl, Alma (Burgans), Elmer, Rudy, then Stan and finally Norma (Mak). As a baby, this giant man was carried about in the orchards in a prune box. As a youth, Stan had already started forming "families" of friends he stayed in touch with throughout his life. Stan graduated from Healdsburg High School, went to Santa Rosa Junior College, then joined the Air Force, where he was stationed in Korea. After his discharge, he finished his business degree at San Jose State, where he met his first wife, Denise. They had two lovely daughters, Elisa and Alison. Stan got his CPA certificate and the family moved to the South Bay, where he ultimately became Treasurer of Peninsula Building Materials, a position he kept for many decades. But Healdsburg beckoned. His second marriage to Lorelei was a harbinger of the couple's return to his home town, where they lived until her death 13 years later in 2004. Stan later met his soul mate, June DeSilva, at a Villa Chanticleer dance class, and they built a wonderful life and home in the five years they had together. Stan was the last survivor of his generation and the patriarch and inspiration to many of those following. He is survived by numerous children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Stan was a big man with a big heart that always took the time and genuine interest in those around him to make them feel like family. You will be sorely missed Big Poppa. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, November 6, at 1:00 p.m. at the Villa Chanticleer in Healdsburg. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Stanley A. Ziganti to Healdsburg District Hospital, 1375 University Ave., Healdsburg, CA 95448.