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Melvin Ray Giorgi

  Melvin Ray Giorgi, 91, died suddenly on Nov. 24, 2012. Mel was born on Oct. 2, 1921, in Guadalupe, to Louis and Adelina Giorgi. At the age of 2, his family moved to Sonoma. As a child, his playground was the hills of Sonoma where he loved to hike, hunt and fish. In 1940, Melvin graduated from Sonoma Valley High School and started working at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. After the outbreak of World War II, his career was placed on hold when he joined the newly formed Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees). Melvin spent three years as a Seabee serving on Bougainville, The Admiralties and Okinawa. After the war ended, he returned to Sonoma and restarted his career at Mare Island, retiring in 1979 as a shop supervisor.

  In Sonoma, Melvin met the love of his life, Rose Isetta. They were married in 1948 and shared 44 wonderful years until her death in 1992. In life, Melvin treasured his wife, family and friends above all else.

  Melvin was committed and proud of his family. He was an exceptional father; always supportive, caring and enthusiastic about taking his children on numerous unforgettable adventures. Melvin’s grandchildren loved their Nonno deeply and will never forget the man who honored every important event in their lives, who gave his time freely and exposed them to the wonders of the outdoors. He loved and appreciated his friends with all his heart; cherishing the times he spent with them, whether it was coffee at the Vasquez House, breakfast at the Boulangerie Cafe or dinner at Sons of Italy. Melvin’s enduring kindness and ever-present smile touched everyone he met. For 17 years, he volunteered at FISH and always looked forward to Thursday mornings when he worked with his close friend Jerry and passed out food to those less fortunate than himself.

  Melvin is survived by daughters, Donna Maricle and husband, Lou; Linda Warren and husband, Mike; son, David Giorgi and wife, Linda; grandchildren, Steve, Nick, Gina, Sarah, Dante and Lauren; as well as siblings, Josie and Jerry. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose; and brother, Ray.

  A rosary will be said on Friday, Nov. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Friends and family are invited to a funeral Mass at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at St. Francis Solano Church in Sonoma followed by a celebration of life at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building.

  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America or the Arthritis Foundation to support Melvin’s grandchildren, Sarah and Nick.