James B. Arbios

1927 - 2020

James (Jim) B. Arbios

1927 - 2020

James (Jim) B. Arbios, age 93, passed away on Dec. 19, 2020, in St. Helena, CA. Jim was born in Stockton, CA on Nov. 9, 1927, to Sodie and Helen Arbios. He was the youngest of four children, preceded by three sisters (now deceased): Aimee Chick, Marie Boyle, and Helen Sobczak.

Jim attended St. Mary's High School in Stockton, CA, and Santa Clara University, graduating in 1949 with a degree in Business. Upon graduation he began his business career working in Portland, Oregon. He later found his passion in selling advertising specialities and served many clients in San Francisco, CA.

He met his wife, Lorene Salmina, at a college mixer with Dominican College of San Rafael, CA, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on April 15, 2020. Together they raised six children in Mill Valley, CA.

Jim was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Mill Valley, serving as a lector and helping in the creation and building of the parish school and the current church.

When their nest was finally empty, Jim and Lorene enjoyed the many trips they took around the U.S. and abroad. They were especially thrilled to visit Jim's French Basque relatives in southern France as Jim liked tracing his ancestral roots.

Back home Jim's favorite topics were Santa Clara Broncos, baseball, and cribbage, and that order would change depending on how well the S.F. Giants were doing! Each year he would look forward to the annual Arbios Beach Week in Santa Cruz, a tradition that began in his childhood and that he continued with his children and they continue today.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lorene, of St. Helena, and by six children: Michele Arbios, of Aptos, CA., Celeste (Chris) Dier of San Jose, CA., Peter (Beth) Arbios, of Napa, CA., Paul (Donna) Arbios of Napa, CA, Joe (Toni) Arbios of Sacramento, CA, and Dan Arbios, of Sacramento, CA.; and by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Juana and Lupe and the staff of St. Helena Home Care for their dedicated and loving care of Jim during these past four years.

Due to the constraints of Covid-19, a Memorial Mass for Jim will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alumni Family Scholarship Fund at Santa Clara University. Donate online at www.scu.edu/giving or send checks, made out to "Santa Clara University," to the SCU Development Office, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053, and designate on the checks "for the Alumni Family Scholarship Fund."

In the meantime, Jim would want you to enjoy a See's Scotchmallow and to toast him with the beverage of your choice or perhaps a CC with a splash of Underberg bitters! memories and notes of sympathy may be shared at claffeyandrota.com.