William Ernest Dugoni Sr.

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William Dugoni Obituary

William Ernest Dugoni Sr. Burlingame, CA Bill Dugoni passed peacefully in his bed on Father's Day, June 15, surrounded in love by his wife, Patty, and ten children. An extraordinary and inspirational man, Bill brought the gift of humor and laughter to many from the moment of his birth, Christmas Day, 1931 in San Francisco to Lina and Arthur Dugoni. Lina called him her "Christmas Angel." Raised in North Beach and the Potrero district with his brother, Arthur, and sister, Evelyn, Bill graduated from St. James High School in 1949. At 17 he met the love of his life and true soul mate, Patricia Joan Branick. Theirs was a courtship and love blessed by God. Bill graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1953 and he and Patty married July 3, 1954 in Greenbrae, CA. Bill served in the United States Army, a first lieutenant. While on active duty in England Patty gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Aileen. She would be the first of many. Returning to San Francisco, the couple welcomed three more children, Susan, William Jr. and Bernadette. Bill and Patty moved to Pocatello, ID, where he attended and graduated from the Idaho State University School of Pharmacy. While in Pocatello, Patty and Bill had two more children, a son, Robert, and daughter, JoAnn. The couple moved to Burlingame, CA, upon Bill's graduation in 1963. He opened Lock Rexall Drug Pharmacy in the Port-o-Call shopping Center in Foster City. Over the next 33 years, "Big Bill," as he was known to his loyal customers, was a fixture in Foster City and loved and respected as a dedicated pharmacist. Bill and Patty would give birth to four more children, all sons, Thomas, Laurence, Sean and Michael. Bill and Patty celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in a gala celebration July 3, 2004. Patty survives him, along with his children and their spouses: Dental hygienist Aileen and Gary Gomes, Drs. Ramsey and Susan Araj, Dr. William and Arlene Dugoni, Drs. Scott and Bonnie Kramer, the novelist Robert and Cristina Dugoni, the CPA Joann and Tom Cox, Dr. Thomas and Karen Dugoni, attorney Laurence and Linda Dugoni, Serra High School teacher Sean and Linda Dugoni, and his special son, Michael. None of us were surprised Dad died on Father's Day. He gave his life to each of us, first, foremost, and always. We affectionately called him "Pops" and blessed him with 28 grandchildren. Truly a great man, larger than life with movie star good looks, Dad will be missed, never forgotten. We were blessed to have been your family, blessed to have been loved by you. If a man's wealth is measured by the love of the family he gathers around him, you were the wealthiest man in the world. We love you Dad. Tentative Funeral Services are pending with a Rosary planned for Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Our Lady of Angels Church, Hillside Dr. in Burlingame and a Funeral Mass on Wednesday June 18, also at the Church. (Please call Funeral Home, 650-342-6617 to confirm final times. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Peninsula Association for Retarded Children and Adults in care of "Cedar House," 800 Airport Blvd. Suite 320, Burlingame, CA 94010 for the care and well being of Bill and Patty's special needs son, Michael.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 17, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for William Dugoni

13 Entries

Adrienne Foran

July 9, 2008

Dear Pat and all the Dugoni children and grandchildren, Though it has been years since I have seen any of you (going back to the days of OLA and being best friends with Susie at the time), I will always remember Bill with great affection. Funny, I can still picture him so clearly as he looked in the 1960's.. such a kind man. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. Adrienne (Platt) Foran

Deborah Peterson (Baumann)

June 29, 2008

Dear Pat, Aileen and Family,
I just heard yesterday about Bill's passing. I always remember him and his wonderful personality. He was truly a great husband and father! My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Debbie

Kevin Scully

June 22, 2008

Dear Susan, Bill, Bob, Tom and Family,

My mother told me about your father's passing today. What a fantastic life he led. Hold onto the wonderful memories.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother.

Sincerely,

Kevin (Serra '78) and Teresa Scully

Rosalie Mc Ilroy

June 21, 2008

Dear Patty & your wonderful family.
May you all have peace of mind knowing that your beloved & lovingly devoted Father is in God's hands now.. May each day forward bring you comfort as you all reflect on those special moments you all shared with one another.
Your Bill & " Pops" was a special gentleman indeed & a consummate Professional.
We all remember Bill's genuine concern for each of us , former classmates at ISU & current members of the San Mateo County Pharmacist's Association. His insight & humorous approach left an indelible mark on all of us...
We will continue to remember Bill always & especially as a forthright participant & champion of the Profession of Pharmacy .
May the Lord hold you in the palms of his hands, Bill and may the love that surrounds all of your family bring them peace of mind.
You are all in my thoughts & prayers.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Rosalie Mc ILroy

Dayna Sumiyoshi

June 19, 2008

Dear Dugoni Family,

I am just one of the many business associates who adores Larry. He remarked today, "...my father was simply the best man I have ever known..." How lovely a family you are. My heartfelt thoughts to you.

Dayna

Liz & Sean Sullinger

June 18, 2008

Dear Dugonis ... our thoughts and prayers are with you. Just heard about your loss today so I am sorry I missed the services. Take care and love ... Liz & Sean

CIP/WAP, Community Gatepath

June 18, 2008

Our best wishes and prayers are with you and your family during this time.

from CIP/WAP staff,
Daiva, Darcy, Alma, Grace, Courtney, Maria, Melissa, Robin, Luis

Michael's friends from CIP/WAP,
Marcella, Carmen,Jennifer, Maryann, Patty, Ferdinand, Mark, Christine, Wimm, Jon, Jan, Elena, Elisabeth, David, Patrick, Ron, Joanne, Jeanine, Cindy, Gaby, Carrie, David, Ron, Melissa, Amelia, Michelle, Steve, Augustus, Christine, Manny, Sara, Naomi, Jeannette, Johnny, Graham, Kathy, Beverly, Usha

Bob Boyd

June 18, 2008

Dear Dugoni Family,
I was sad to hear of Bill Dugoni's passing. He was a great man in the fullest sense of the word. A dedicated father, grandfather, husband to Patty of more than 50 years, respected professional, friend to many, a philanthropher, and dedicated to helping less fortunate people. I came to know Bill through his older brother Art Dugoni, former Dean at the University of the Pacific. Art has described Bill as the "greatest man I have ever known". The times I spoke to him, he was a man who always stood out…tall, very handsome, distinguished, had a great sense of humor and always gracious. He reminded me of the great Cary Grant!
I offer my deepest syspathy to the Dugoni family for this great loss. But surely Bill is in a much better place now.
Sincerely,
Bob Boyd
Professor and Chairman
Dept. of Orthodontics
University of the Pacific

Becky Romero

June 17, 2008

Dear Dugoni Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this very difficult time. Aileen, its been a very long time, but you and the girls have always been in my thoughts. I will see you all at the funeral service on Wednesday.

All my love,
Becky Romero (once known as McHale)

Lee Fiorina

June 17, 2008

Dearest Aunt Pat and Family,
We will all miss our "Uncle Bill". He was the best son, brother, husband, father, uncle, or friend that anyone could ever have. We were all so lucky to have been part of his life and to see the legacy that he has left behind is truly awe inspiring.

Love,
Lee

Marilyn(Muggs) McCarthy

June 17, 2008

DEAR PATTI,
SORRY TO READ PASSING. I REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD TIMES AT ST. JAMES. Muggs

Rick McHale

June 17, 2008

Losing a loved one is one of the most diificult things that we can go through, so much more difficult if it is a parent. No words can express what I feel for all of the Dugoni Family and can say that only time will allow you to accept that it is fact and to begin the process of healing. I wish each one of you a peace that only comes with time.

Bill was one of those hard working fathers who was devoted to his wife Patty and all of his Children and Grandchildren. I knew Bill from an early age and as I grew I understood who he was and discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind man. I learned that the most important thing to him was his family and was very proud of each and every one of them. As the father of two of his Grandchlidren, I saw firsthand on Sunday morning the grief that his loss brought to both Katie and Hilary McHale, they loved their Grandfather immensely.

To his friends he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He always seemed to have a solution for every problem, he was "Joe McGee." He never asked anybody for help and was a very generous man and never wanted to be acknowledged for the help that he provided to others, when he was generous, he was simply generous.

While lifes circumstances change and we all go in directions that we perhaps never visualized, people that we meet throughout our lives leave impressions on us that we carry for that lifetime. In my life I had two Bill's who influenced me, Bill Bernhardi and Bill Dugoni. Bill Bernhardi was my father and Bill Dugoni was my father-in-law. I am a better man for having known Bill Dugoni and will take with me for the rest of my life the lessons that I learned from him and am thankful to him for those experiences.

I too grieve his loss and know that he is at peace.

Bill, you have and will continue to occupy a place in my heart that is reserved only for you.

I loved Bill Dugoni!

Barbara Gilmore-Halliwell

June 16, 2008

Dear Dugoni Family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to all your family. Your dad was a pretty spectacular guy. When he'd speak with people, he'd make them feel as if nothing in the world was more important than the conversation at hand. He will be greatly missed. I hope that you all find solace in the memories of your lives with your dad. Know that you are in my thoughts & prayers, now and in the days, weeks & months ahead.

Sincerely, Barbara

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