Leonard Delmas

1929 - 2015

Leonard Peter Delmas

December 17, 1929 ~ November 13, 2015

"A SPECIAL PRESENCE"
Len was a gentle giant with an infectious smile, a mighty memorable grip, a photographic memory for names, numbers and yacht racing rules. He worked hard for his four daughters and was madly in love with his bride Patti of 57 years.

Grateful for his faith and his Jesuit education at St. Ignatius and USF, Len was a man of his word. His resume reads like an entrepreneur's handbook; Delmas and Delmas Jewelers began when Len joined his father Peter in the Phelan Building. Shortly after, Len opened their flagship store on Union Square, then Stonestown and Ghirardelli Square. Their jewelry business expanded when awarded the coveted "Diamond's International Award" in '63.

Amazing luck and vision to open the "Trophy Room", a business that lasted well over 40 years. Len designed trophies and presentation pieces for the NFL, including Pro Bowl and Super Bowl, the NBA and the MLB. He was the official jeweler to the PGA including the Tournament of Champions for over 40 years. He was most proud of his "Gold Cup" design for Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn and the St. Francis Yacht Club "Perpetual Trophy" for the Big Boat Series.

Len designed for the Bob Hope Desert Classic since its inception in the mid 50's. His logo remains today, and 40 years of his creations are on permanent exhibition in the lobby of the Einsenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA.

In the late Â'60s, his luck shifted. Sophisticated burglars broke into the Union Square store and stole everything! In '71 he fell off his sailboat near midnight and dragged around SF Bay for over 2 hours.

He was 42 years old. Faith, courage, preservation and willingness to never give up and confidence are what defined him, all his life.

After those challenging times, his wife Patti said, "Leonard, they cannot steal buildings." With the help of the Bank of Marin, they bought Â'options' on land and named their company Pierpont Trust. They became the first developers in what is now known as the Bel Marin Keys Industrial Park. He was the kind of landlord who would lower rents during tough times and was known for helping tenants and sub contractors grow their businesses.

His tenacity in business was equal to his leadership in his sport. He was Senior Staff Commodore and became an Honorary Life Member of the St. Francis Yacht Club, a distinction held by few. In his 20's, he served on the Board of both the Corinthian and Sausalito Yacht Clubs and later Chairman of the Yacht Racing Association. He loved racing sailboats and was a fierce fun competitor all his life.

Len won several Season Championships and many regattas, he could put a bow where no bow belonged and was known to Â'white knuckle' his crew!

Len was a 3rd generation San Franciscan, graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep '47 and studied at USF. He served in the Merchant Marines and was a Signalman in the Navy.

He died peacefully in his home with his daughter Cinde holding his hand.

He is survived by his daughters; Cinde Lou Delmas, Michele Delmas, Denise Sockolov and husband Bill Sockolov, Suzanne Delmas and six grandchildren: Bryan and Mike Solari, Dana, Matt and Jill Sockolov and Samantha Burnash; also his half-sister Jaina Delmas Maier and children Rachael and Eric Maier; his niece Pam Conklin and husband Kevin Conklin and children Katie and Kasey Conklin; also nephews, Father Peter Bosque, Dominic Bosque and his family, niece Debra Evans and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Aileen Hogan Delmas and Peter Leonard Delmas, his sister Beverly "Pudge" Bosque and his "Bride" Patricia Broderick Delmas.

A mass will be held on his birthday, Dec 17th at 10am, St. Ignatius Church on the USF Campus. Reception at noon at St. Francis Yacht Club. The family requests donations be made to the Patricia and Leonard Delmas Scholarship Fund at St. Ignatius, 2001 37th Ave, SF CA 94116 or the UCSF Foundation, Box 45339, SF CA 94145.
Assisted by: Monte's Chapel of the Hills
San Anselmo, CA
415-453-8440