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BORN
1941
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
977 S. El Camino Real
San Mateo, California
Ronald Tocchini Obituary
1941 - 2017
RONALD TOCCHINI passed away at his San Mateo home on Thursday, September 21, 2017. He was born during 1941 in San Francisco to Remo and Susan (Ercolini) Tocchini.Ron grew up in San Francisco's Marina District, enrolled at St. Ignatius College Preparatory school (class of 1959), and lettered at SI in track and field, basketball, and football. He attended the University of Notre Dame on a football scholarship, made the Dean's academic list, and later took a degree in Italian literature at Notre Dame in 1964. After working in the family business for several years, he returned to college in his late 20s and earned a California secondary education teaching credential. He later attended graduate school at Lone Mountain College and the University of California at Berkeley.
Ron went on to teach and coach football at several high schools in the Bay Area, including Marin Catholic and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory school. Eventually leaving secondary education to teach undergraduate students, he retired in 2012 from City College of San Francisco after teaching Spanish and Italian for over 40 years. Retirement provided Ron with an opportunity for further work; he researched, wrote, and published several books on international travel and the California migrant experience.
A devoted athlete and sports fan, Ron had been active in the St. Ignatius and Notre Dame alumni networks since the 1960s. He has influenced and mentored hundreds of young people in San Francisco, and his students have gone onward to become successful business leaders, priests, professional athletes, lawyers, doctors, scientists, and other public servants.
Ronald Tocchini was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Loring, and his daughter Josephine. He is survived by his brother Fred (Sylvia), his sister Susan, his sister-in-law Cezanne, his partner Virginia "Gigi" Guglielimino, his children Ronald (Lilia), Rose (Shannon), and Joseph (Michelle), as well as over 40 nephews, nieces, cousins, and grandchildren, both here in the US and in Italy.
Ron's integrity and generosity were matched only by a love of family and a deep personal faith. He will be missed.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, September 28th at St. Ignatius Church (Charles Gagan SJ, celebrant), 650 Parker Ave., San Francisco. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma. The Tocchini family will receive friends and relatives at 2:30pm in North Beach at the Original Joe's historical landmark restaurant in San Francisco.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider memorial donations to the Carlin Heritage Society for student scholarships at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. For those friends and family members who are unable to attend services, condolences may be left online by e-mailing the family at [email protected]. Requiescat in pace.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Tocchini
Sponsored by Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
John Kelterer
September 15, 2020
A great guy
yvonne (Birnbaum)Bartlett
January 25, 2018
Just curiously: Whatever happened to my neighbor, Ron Tocchini......so sad to hear he died last September. I am now 75 and remember him as if yesterday when we would chat as kids over our common fence. Always kind words, beautiful eyes and smile......from one neighbor on Broderick Street to Freddie and Susie...take care.....Yvonne (Birnbaum) Bartlett
Bartley O'Hara
October 6, 2017
Truly beloved all the days of his life
September 30, 2017
My thoughts & prayers got out to Ron's family. He was my homeroom teacher at SH my senior year. Always enjoyed talking with him. A good coach as well. He was an inspiration to all the young lifes he touched.
Mike Carey
Suzanne Rossi Beach
September 30, 2017
I send my heartfelt condolences to all of the Tocchini Family. Ron was a kind and thoughtful man who impacted many lives through his teaching and coaching. I am so sorry I was not able to attend the funeral mass because of work. My prayers are with you all.
George Fenech
September 29, 2017
My heartfelt sympathy to Fred and the entire Tocchini family. I became friends with Ron approximately twenty years ago. Aside from being a kind and gentle person, Ron was above all a respectful person. He treated everyone with respect. Rest in peace Buddy.
Shawn Purcell
September 28, 2017
I took Spanish 2 from Ron at Marin Catholic in 1977. I had taken an intensive Spanish course the previous summer in Ensenada, Mexico, so he let me work independently on Spanish 3 material, reading Don Quijote and working with him after school. He really took me under his wing, taking extra of his time. And dang, did he know his stuff -- his scholarly knowledge of the history of the Spanish language put him head and shoulders above his MC peers, in my mind. I regret not seeing him before he passed -- thanks for the inspiration, Ron!
Shawn Purcell Marin Catholic '79
September 28, 2017
The Rollandi Family sends our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Fred and Sylvia and the entire Tocchini Family for the loss of a beloved brother, father, uncle and mentor to all who knew him.
Requiescat in Pace,
Vic Rollandi, SI '68
September 27, 2017
Cousin Ron was a large part of my childhood. Wether is was fishing in the Russian river, swimming on Johnson's Beach or just hanging around the neighborhood, Ron always kept a eye on his little cousin.Go with God big man.
kaaren alvarado
September 26, 2017
Please accept my sincere sympathy, love and prayers. 0x, kaaren alvarado and family
John Kelterer
September 26, 2017
Ron was a wonderful guy, classmate, and a great athlete. In addition we were part of the jock contingent in the St.Ignatius Spring Musical. We were a hit. He will be missed. RIP.
Tony Compagno
September 26, 2017
My heartfelt sympathies go out to Ron's family. As a Marina boy a couple of years younger than Ron, I heard much about his exploits and would see him at the DePaul Boys' Club where I played CYO basketball. Recently, at our complex swimming pool, I came across this warrior, and we reminisced with great mutual pleasure about a special time and place, but he didn't tell me too much about his accomplishments. I suspect that a very good and humble and accomplished man has left us. Rest in peace, Ron.
Martin Meeker
September 26, 2017
God's speed good and faithful servant. We will always remember you as a great Notre Dame man.
Marty & Carol Meeker
John O'Brien
September 25, 2017
I got to know Ron as a freshman at Notre Dame. He was a gentle man of impressive physique. R.I.P.
Mike Burke
September 23, 2017
As sophomore on the '58 FB team Ron was one of my idols! Still is!
Art Lenhardt
September 22, 2017
Ron was one of the best and will be sorely missed by all his SI classmates and fellow football players. Sending prayers and best wishes to his family and friends.
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