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Marcel Henry Revel

Marcel Henry Revel, born Nov. 13, 1922, in the family’s Cosmopolitan Hotel in Oakland, to Berthe and Henri Revel, natives of France.

Predeceased by his brothers, Gaston and George, and survived by their widows Eula and Carol. Marcel attended Sonoma Grammar School, Sonoma Valley High School (Class of ’40) where he was an outstanding athlete and Luther Burbank College of Santa Rosa before embarking on his lifelong career as a hotel proprietor in San Francisco.

He was a good, honest businessman who cared for both his longtime guests and staff. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and mushroom hunting. Marcel married the love of his life, Helen Strong, in San Francisco in 1949 and they made their home there for more than 61 years. They returned as often as possible to his boyhood Sonoma home to enjoy the outdoors together in so many ways, sharing their love of family, gardening and Helen’s gift for cooking.

Marcel was the admired father of Ed (Karen Ricketts), Bob (Tracy), Jackie Revel McInnis (Rod) and Roger (Janice) and devoted Papa to Brendan (Lauren), Justin, Bernadette (Chris), Girard, Corinne (Mike), Callie, Alex, Christie, Andrew and Robby as well as great-grandchildren Marcel, Maddy and Charlie. Both Helen and Marcel were long time ushers for 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas.

Marcel gave his last measure of strength caring for his wife in her illness and died of a broken heart on the morning of March 30, 2011, hours before she did. Bittersweet as the closeness of their deaths is, they are reunited in heaven for eternity. Family was foremost to each of them and they both created fine examples and wonderful memories for their large extended families and friends to treasure.

Vigil with rosary to be held for both of them on Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Apostle Church, 3835 Balboa St. at 40h Ave., San Francisco. Funeral Mass at the church on Friday, April 8 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow.

Inurnment on Saturday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Mountain Cemetery, 90 First St. W., Sonoma which local friends are welcome to attend.

Donations suggested to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, www.lls.org.