Herman Vincent Nanna Jr.

1932 - 2016

Herman Vincent Nanna, Jr.
Nov. 17, 1932 – Aug. 18, 2016
Lifelong Santa Cruz Resident
A private memorial will take place for Herman Vincent Nanna, Jr. who passed away peacefully in Santa Cruz at the age of 83. Born to Herman V. Nanna, Sr. and Rose Marie Figone in Santa Cruz. Herman, Jr. grew up in the city of Santa Cruz and spent time with family in San Juan Bautista helping on the family apricot ranch and helping the nuns with laundry service and in the kitchen at the mission during the summer. He was a graduate of Holy Cross High School in 1950 and worked at the family's business which was the Scotts Valley General Feed Store and Scott's Valley's first Post Office located on Scotts Valley Drive with Herman Nanna, Sr. and his then wife, Helen Hannah Nanna, (Herman, Jrs. Stepmother).
After graduating he joined the Navy. He served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War as a Damage Control Specialist on the USS Wiltsie, a destroyer. Later he served at both Moffet Field and Treasure Island as an AP Mechanic and Fireman. Upon returning to Santa Cruz he married Patricia Ruby Strong of Scotts Valley, where they built their home on a parcel of the Strong/Smith Ranch off Scotts Valley Drive. Herman worked as a mechanical engineer for the Standard Lumber Mill in Scotts Valley and served as Captain of the Scotts Valley Volunteer Fire Dept. until 1963.
His love for his career in mechanical and sheet metal fabrication spanned over 65 years. Herman, Jr. was employed with local companies including West Foods Mushrooms, Santa Cruz Aggregates, the Stokely Van Camps/Pacific Coast Cannery, Harmony Foods and is its successor, Santa Cruz Nutritionals." G-Pa" as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren was known as one of the workers for "Willy Wonka" because of the candies and goodies he would bring them. He leaves many dear friends and co-workers who gained valuable knowledge and training under his watch, and he truly valued those friendships.
Herman, Jr.'s hobbies included golf, baseball and black powder rifle muzzle loading shooting. He became a lifetime member and strong supporter of the Santa Cruz Muzzleloaders Club where his talents and ideas helped with improvements to the De Laveaga Shooting Range. As a boy, Herman, Jr. was a member of the Boy Scout Troop in the city of Santa Cruz where he took pride in his community by helping with newspaper and metal drives during the depression and enjoyed many Scout campouts in the mountains of the Wilder Ranch, hosted by the Wilder Family. He enjoyed helping and supporting his grandsons' local Cub and Boy Scout Troop. His favorite being a time capsule he made for Corralitos Troop 599. Devoted to his family and enjoyed making things for them and will be missed by his loved ones.
Predeceased by his father, Herman Nanna, Sr., Rose Marie Figone-Nanna his mother , Helen Hannah Nanna, his stepmother and grandson, Charles Allen Nanna (son of Martin and Barbara Orton Nanna).
He is survived by his previous wife Patricia Ruby Pennington, of Arkansas, Allen J. Nanna his stepbrother of Willets, Calif., Norma Gene Davis an Aunt of San Juan Bautista. His son Martin Alfred Nanna and wife Anita Louise, granddaughter Aria Celestina Nanna of New Mexico and grandson Nicholas Andrew Nanna ( son of Martin and Barbara Orton Nanna) of California. His son, Michael Edward Nanna, his daughter Daureen Ruby Babcock and husband Fred, grandsons Colton Thomas and Luke Fredrick Babcock of Watsonville. His son Patrick Herman Nanna and wife Beverly, granddaughter Alexandria Michelle Nanna of Arkansas, and his daughter Kati Helen King and husband James Fredrick L. King and grandson Leland James King of Felton. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.
The family would like to thank the warm care provided by the employees at Paradise Villa.


View the online memorial for Herman Vincent Nanna, Jr.