Gene M. Benedetti

Gene M. Benedetti Patriarch of a prominent Sonoma County family passed away in Santa Rosa on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. He was 86. Gene was born in Sonoma, the son of the late Giocondo and Pia Benedetti. He was raised in Cotati, attending local schools and graduating from Petaluma High School. He later attended SRJC, the University of SF, and Stanford University where he received his teaching degree. He heroically served as a naval lieutenant in WWII in the Atlantic Theater as a captain of a ship in five invasions. Upon his return from the service, he taught and coached at Santa Rosa Junior College. In 1947 he was hired by the Petaluma Co-Operative Creamery where he served as the general manager for 20 years. In 1977 he founded Clover-Stornetta Farms and remained active in the business until his recent illness. Gene has served on many community and fraternal organizations throughout his career in Sonoma County. He was the beloved husband of the late Evelyn Benedetti. Adored father of Michele Moss, Bonna Benedetti-Flynn, Donna Benedetti, Dante Benedetti, Gene "Herm" Benedetti and Gina Benedetti. Loving grandfather of Mkulima, Niessa, Ayana, Marcus, Michael, Joanie, Giovanni, Tony, Ian, Sarah, Katie and Coulter. Great-grandfather of Kelven, Dante, Jack, William, Francesca and Marina. Beloved brother of Millie Libarle and the late Dante Benedetti. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma, CA. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma, CA (707) 763-4131. A Vigil Service will be held on Tuesday evening, January 17, 2006 at 6:30 PM, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The family prefers memorials be made to the Clover-Stornetta Endowment Fund, c/o Community Foundation Sonoma County, 250 D St., Suite 205, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, or to the Dante John and Gene Benedetti Scholarship Fund, c/o University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St, SF, CA 94117. Private Entombment, Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Petaluma.