Amedeo Podesta

1922 - 2016

Amedeo "Jack" Podesta

Amedeo "Jack" Podesta passed away Aug 2, 2016 in Reno NV after 94 years of living! He was the only son of Al and Lillian Podesta of San Francisco, CA. He was born in San Francisco on May 12, 1922. He graduated from Galileo High School in 1939 and Cal Berkeley in 1943.

Upon graduation from Cal he became a Paratrooper in WWII with the infamous 101st Airborne, 502 Infantry Division. In 1945 he returned from the war as a Captain with numerous decorations.

He succeeded his father who started in the flower business in 1872. Jack became the 2nd generation President of Podesta Baldocchi, "America's Most Famous Florist" in 1952. Jack's son, Steve Podesta, followed in his footsteps succeeding Jack as President 1994. Podesta Baldocchi's main store was located at 224 Grant Street, San Francisco.

He was President of various San Francisco Associations; hence earning him the name, "Mr. San Francisco". He was the President of the San Francisco's Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kiwanis Club, Retail Merchants Association, the Downtown Association, the Cable Car Association, where he earned an award as "Honorary Gripman". He also served on the Mayor's Committee for the inauguration of BART, He achieved the status of a 32nd degree Mason. He was a Jester and a Shriner, and became Master at the Roosevelt Lodge F. and A.M.

Jack is survived by his wife of 60 years, Doris and their two children, Steve and Cindy; Steve's wife Brenda, and two sons, Jake and his wife Ashley and Joseph Podesta; and Cindy's son Collin Peterson.

The family requests donations on his behalf be made to:
Shriners Hospital for
Children;
The Disabled American
Veterans;
Veterans of Foreign Wars