Ralph Burni

1925 - 2015

Burni, Ralph In Loving Memory 11/19/1925 ~ 12/30/2014 Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor SAN DIEGO -- Ralph Burni, 90, was born in Amman, Jordan and lived there for the first 22 or so years of his life, where he began his dreams of building his own business. Later, with the convincing of a couple of his friends, he took these dreams to the United States around 1945. Upon arrival to New York City, Burni had only $20 dollars to his name and a scarce knowledge of English. Over the next few years, Burni worked several low-wage paying jobs to sustain himself. Though his wit, ambition, sense of humor and keen business sensibilities led him to an array of business ventures. These opportunities culminated with the creation of Burni Enterprises, as he settled in San Diego, CA. He married librarian, Josephine Barrios and they had one son, Dean Burni in 1959. Ralph took his son, Dean, under his wing and together they built their business empire. Ralph and Dean Burni owned a chain of JetCo furniture stores and in 1990 they sold their last store in order to commit full time to commercial real estate and hospitality investments. In 1996, they purchased the historic Hotel Churchill in downtown San Diego and in 2007, shortly after the tragic loss of his son Dean Burni, closed escrow on the Four Points Sheraton Hotel. Ralph Burni has three lovely grandchildren, Janan, Jasmin, and Abed Burni; and daughter-in- law/business partner, Luz Burni. Ralph is loved dearly by his family and friends from all over the world. Ralph along with his beloved son, Dean Burni, have left a significant mark on many of their family and friends' lives, and have left a tremendous legacy of hard work, perseverance, and compassion for their family. He will be remembered with great respect and admiration.