Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
George Bertolotti Obituary
11/29/1957 - 03/20/2025
George Andrew Bertolotti passed away on March 20, 2025, during emergency cardiac surgery, at the age of 67. Born on November 29, 1957, George was a remarkable individual known for his innovative spirit and caring nature.
George embarked on his educational journey at the City University of New York, where he graduated with the highest honors. He furthered his education by obtaining a master's degree from Marist University. His academic accomplishments set the stage for a successful career in the IT sector.
Professionally, George began his career at IBM, where he played a pivotal role in redesigning an outdated call center system. He later joined McKesson in San Francisco, where he led significant projects, including the successful Y2K changeover. Known for his pragmatic and positive approach, George was adept at managing and completing daunting projects.
Beyond his professional life, George was passionate about automobiles, particularly classic cars. He built a 1950's style hot rod with a flathead V8 and was nearing completion of his '48 Buick restomod at the time of his passing. His innovative MiG Buddy welding gun holder won runner-up in the 2017 SEMA best new product award. George also enjoyed hiking, travel, home improvement projects, and cherished time spent with his family.
George is survived by his loving wife, Mary, and sons, Reed and Andrew. He also leaves behind his brothers, John and David Bertolotti. He was preceded in death by his parents, Armand George and Alice Muriana Bertolotti, and his brother, Peter.
George was a leader, husband, and father whose enthusiasm and vitality propelled many in their pursuits. His legacy of innovation and kindness will be remembered by all who knew him.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Bertolotti
4 Entries
John Focarino
July 28, 2025
George and I were related through mariage back in the 1980's + 90's. We had many similar interests, cars, home improvement, investing and personal developement just to name a few. We spent so many weekends working on home improvement projects together and I learned plumbing from George, as he was once a plumbers apprentice and had excelent plumbing skills and very high standards.
George was also very instrumental in driving me to go back to school and change careers in my early 20's. His vivavcious zest for knowledge and life was infectous and a true driving force for me to improve myself. He was an ardent follower of Zig Ziglar and Steven Covey and always shared their teachings through books, tapes and discusions.
Later in life we were separated by the distance of living in different cities but we would spaek on the phone regularly and get lost in conversations about cars and various projects.
If I have any regret, it is that I did not get up to see him in person over the years.
I will miss him dearly and can't seem to absorb the fact that he is gone.
I wish Mary, Reed and Andrew peace and best wishes. They have lost a great person, husband and father and the world has lost a contributer, Inventer, Thinker, Planner..... Godspeed George
George Bernacchi
April 25, 2025
We were childhood friends from Brooklyn. We haven´t seen each other since or early 20s. We loved backyard to backyard and had a string with paper cups going across yards into our bedrooms. That was our walkie talkies. George used to love to invent stuff. We build many gas powered go carts as kids with John his brother.
Mary
April 19, 2025
Enthusiastic, Industrious, Innovative, Kind. George Bertolotti
In early 2015 George started looking for a new project. He wanted a classic car with style but one new enough to drive in regular traffic and not so perfect that he would be afraid to park it in a public lot. He was walking through the car coral at the March Goodguys Pleasanton meet and saw a 1948 Buick sedanette for sale. It was a low slung 2 door fastback that was in used but original condition with the exception of shorter suspension springs which lowered it a bit. After a thorough inspection, test drive and discussion with the seller in San Francisco George bought it. Over the next two years, George proceeded to work through any issues the car had and over time corrected wiring, shifting and other issues as well as fitting the car with a new/upgraded interior bringing it to comfortable, reliable driving condition. He began participating in classic car club activities with it and could drive it in everyday traffic although it was a bit slower than the modern cars mostly due to the worn original straight eight engine.
George then started looking for a more ambitious project. He wanted to build a traditional 1950´s style hot rod with flathead V8. He studied books by Vern Tardel and began looking at potential project cars. At the August 2017 Goodguys meet he found the raw material. It was a 1930 Ford model A 5 window coupe that had been in storage for years. It was mostly complete and had a frozen 4 cylinder engine. George then proceeded strip the car down to the bare frame and gathered the parts and knowledge to build it in the 1950s style using the parts that would have been used then. This was much more challenging than it was in the 50s since all the parts, which were readily available 20 years after the cars were produced, were much harder to find almost 90 years after they were made. George persevered, working meticulously in his two car garage and after years of parts chasing and fabrication he completed a reliable and distinctive hot rod. He took it on various rod runs and often attended the Friday car gathering at Danville Livery. He often got more attention with a car he´d built himself than the high dollar customs built by professional shops.
George then decided to take on an even more challenging project. Building on the skill and knowledge he had enhanced through his Buick and hot rod projects, he decided that he wanted to turn his ´48 Buick into a full on restomod! The car would have the power, handling and comfort features of a modern car including power steering, automatic transmission, power disk brakes and air conditioning. This was daunting since this type of project was usually based on more common Fords and Chevys. Very few Buicks of that year and model were enhanced in that way so the effort to find and adapt the necessary parts was significantly more difficult. There were few off-the -shelf solutions.
George cut the entire frame forward of the firewall out of the Buick and replaced it with a custom built assembly that featured all modern components. This job required precision alignment and constant checking followed by the application of excellent welding skills. George also installed a very strong/modern rear axle hung from custom rear suspension. He worked through all the challenges of installing a V8 engine and automatic transmission where an inline 8 cylinder engine and manual transmission were. He strengthened the entire frame and built a custom stainless steel exhaust system that threaded its way through it. He installed a modern heating and air conditioning system in the very tight confines of a car that was never designed for it. He rewired the entire car to replace the old, worn wiring and support all the new modern features. He performed many more tasks than can be mentioned here and most of them required extensive research and thought to arrive at the best solutions. Through it all, including many frustrating developments, George pressed on with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He would always say, "It´s an adventure!"
Mary
April 19, 2025
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Make a Donation
in George Bertolotti's name
Memorial Events
for George Bertolotti
People and places connected with George
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support George's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor George Bertolotti's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
