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Richard Glenn Tranchina

After a 12-year battle of beating the odds with non-small cell lung cancer, Rich passed peacefully, March 28, 2011, at his home in Sonoma with his wife, Donna, and sons, Rick and Robert, by his side.

Born in San Jose, Aug. 28, 1946, Rich grew up in Scotts Valley, graduated from Soquel High and San Jose City College. While serving in the National Guard, he started washing trucks for George H. Wilson at age 17 and in time became sheet metal shop foreman and an integral part of their relocation to Harvey West Park. Rich opted for a lifestyle change after 32 years with Wilson's and, with Donna, moved to Sonoma in 1996.

After working for Kent Lim in San Francisco and Peterson Mechanical in Sonoma, Rich retired when he was diagnosed with the cancer in 1999. He enjoyed fine dining and traveling (especially to Disneyland and Disney World parks) but most of all he loved tinkering with his backyard railroad and his extensive collection of Disney trains.

Rich is survived by his wife, Donna; sons, Rick and Robert; and grandson, Nolan; brothers, Mark, Gary and Larry Tranchina; moms-in-law, Bianca Moon and Isabelle Hollingsworth; in-laws, Brenda Tranchina, Diana and Jose Rapposelli, Marc and Amelia Hollingsworth, Olivia Trujello, Cathy and Lindsay Hutchinson, Gary and Nancy Moon; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Rich is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Christine Tranchina.

Rich requested no formal services. A family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in May. Memorial donations may be made to Carolwood Pacific Historical Society (Walt Disney trains restoration and preservation), 1032 Amberton Lane, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320.