Neil Vannucci

1936 - 2025

Neil Vannucci
09/26/1936 - 03/03/2025
Neil James Vannucci, born on September 26, 1936, passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 88. He was surrounded by his devoted family. At the time of his passing, Neil resided on Bethel Island, a place he cherished for its abundance of nature, wildlife and beauty.
Neil was born into a first-generation Italian American family. Along with his sister Gloria, he spent his youth growing up in San Francisco. His father as a child immigrated from the Tuscan area of Italy to San Francisco. He spent his youth working alongside his father and other family members finishing concrete. Neil learned to hunt with his dad, uncles and cousins. Neil spent many summers in Hollister on his mother's family farm. The influence of both his father's work ethic and time spent in the country shaped Neil's life.
Neil was a loving husband to his late wife, Margaret Ann Vannucci who preceded him in death on September 20, 2024. The couple shared a 62-year marriage where they enjoyed live music, dancing, playing bridge with a treasured group of friends, traveling, rooting for their favorite sports teams, and enjoying the outdoors. Raising four children in San Carlos kept them busy and fulfilled. With age, they reflected on what they considered highlights of their lives including a month-long trip to Florence, Italy with their family, a safari in Africa, seeing some classic artists at the Monterey Jazz Festival, season tickets to the San Francisco Giants, being a part of large family gatherings and enjoying the waterways of the California Delta with their friends from the San Joaquin Yacht Club.
Neil was a proud father to four children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, each of whom brought joy to his life. Neil enjoyed sharing his love of hunting and fishing, waterskiing, backpacking, boating, listening to country music, large family gatherings, and storytelling with his family and friends and often had a glass of "vino tinto" in his hand. His children and grandchildren will remember a man who wanted to pass along his values of hard work, the importance of education, identifying and following one's interests, respecting the awe of nature, and the importance of friends and family in one's life.
Neil was a man who embraced life with open arms. He was an artist at heart, finding inspiration in the natural world around him. Painting, wood sculpture, drawing, even stained-glass were the means of his artistic expression. Neil enjoyed tinkering with old cars and amassed a few classics that gave him hours of problem-solving opportunities. As a member of the Oyster Point and San Joaquin Yacht Clubs and Ducks Unlimited, Neil connected with others who shared his appreciation for nature.
Neil's life was one of hard work, creativity, adventure and relationships. After serving his country in Korea as a member of the Army, Neil returned to civilian life with a plan to become a building designer. After receiving his degree, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own business,
where his passion for creating functional and beautiful spaces flourished. Later, he channeled his experience into helping to run the family's concrete company Vannucci Brothers and later, Bay Cities Building Materials. Neil was proud of his many accomplishments including building his family houses, other residential homes in the bay area, condominiums and both municipal and residential buildings in Anchorage Alaska. BCBM was known for its many large projects in the Bay Area, notably being a part of the expansion of the San Francisco Airport, building The Moscone Center and retrofitting Candlestick Park. With a group of talented co-workers, other highlights included expanding BCBM to South San Francisco, Millbrae, Brentwood and the Sacramento area.
His involvement in the community extended beyond his professional and recreational pursuits. As a member of the American Institute of Building Designers, Neil was committed to advancing the field he loved. He served as president and his collaborative and creative problem-solving made him a valued colleague and mentor to many.
Neil is preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Ballerine), his parents Nelio and Lillian Vannucci, he is survived by his sister Gloria Satterfield Vannucci of Mayflower Arkansas, children Neil F Vannucci (Vicky Poole), Mark Vannucci, Suzanne Vannucci (Richard Harvey), Carla Vannucci (Jon Myers), 5 grandchildren: Trevor, Bella, Anthony, Chiara and Dominic and 2 great-grandchildren.
Those who knew Neil remember him as a hard-working, passionate, and fun-loving individual. His enjoyment of friends and family was genuine, and his presence brought warmth and joy to those around him.
A private celebration of Neil's life will be held on May 2, 2025, at the San Joaquin Yacht Club on Bethel Island. Family, friends, and all who were touched by Neil's life are invited to join in remembering the remarkable man he was. Please reach out to the family if you would like to attend. As we gather to honor his memory, we reflect on the indelible mark he left on our hearts and the world around him.