RONALD SCIANDRI

RONALD SCIANDRI

1945-2015

Ronald Richard Sciandri lost a valiant battle with cancer on Friday the 13 of November, 2015.

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” -Marcus Aurelius

Ron Sciandri wasted no time, he simply was, a good man. In action and in deed he embodied his ancestral virtues as a leader, servant, warrior, gentleman, farmer and paterfamilias.

Ron was born at Barksdale Field in Bossier Parish, LA on October 27 1945, to Nello Mario and Emily Lucille Sciandri. 5 months later, Nello returned his family to the city of South San Francisco and into the parish of All Souls. This city and parish would inculcate in Ron his morals, values, and community spirit. He would return the favor.

Ron attended All Souls Grammar School (class of 1959) and then matriculated to Serra High School (class of 1963) where he played football for the Padres. In 1961, in the All Souls cafeteria at a teen club social, Ron met the feisty, fiery, Roberta Jean Barbetti, love of his life. They would marry in the parish church 7 years later, make a home on Acacia Avenue, and in due time welcome Rebecca, Ronald Jr. and Ryan. In 1974 they moved to Cottonwood Ave where they reared their children, sending them to All Souls like their father. The Sciandri’s were surrounded by love and family (literally surrounded - 12 houses full within 3 square blocks) and by lifelong friends who filled the house with good times and laughter.

Throughout his teens and early 20s Ron worked in the family business “Sciandri Hardware Store” on Grand Ave in SSF, getting to know the citizens, families and friends he would later serve. He twice attended the University of San Francisco. Tour one, where he majored in football and Pedro, lasted from 1963-65. Tour two from 1980-83, earned Ron a B.S. degree with a 4.0 gpa, completed while working full time and raising 3 children.

Ron joined the Air Force Reserve in 1967 and was honorably discharged in ‘73. As a staff sergeant then medic, Ron gained the courage and leadership skills he would put to use serving the people of SSF. In 1969, Ron was sworn in as a firefighter. He was in the first paramedic team deployed by a fire department in Northern California. Ron rose through the ranks, via determination and dedication, to Captain, Battalion Chief and ultimately Assistant Fire Chief. After an illustrious 30 year career, Ron retired in 1999.

Ron’s contributions to his community, however did not stop at the firehouse door. Over the years, he served his peers as the Union President of SSF Firefighters Union Local, and his parish youth as the President of the CYO and as coach/manager of the SSF Seals little league team. He was an active, valued member of the SSF YMI and the Elks Lodge.

All work and no play makes even the good man dull, and Ron was anything but dull. As a firefighter, his schedule allowed him to partake in many hobbies and passions, becoming SCUBA certified and gaining his pilot’s license. He enjoyed playing Pedro and was an avid hunter, had duck clubs in Los Banos & Colusa, and was a member of Ducks Unlimited. Ron was known throughout the neighborhood as everyone’s favorite handyman. If a sink needed fixing, or a roof leak repaired, or a fence rebuilt, Ron would get it done; the only payment required…Chocolate chip cookies

To that end Ron & Roberta bought themselves a little piece of land in Napa in 1993. Though he would continue to commute to the SSFFD until 1999, Ron wanted a place where he could indulge his love of animals and the land. Not wanting to do anything halfway, he planted everything; vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, orchids.  There was nothing that he couldn't grow. Many a neighbor and local restaurant benefitted from his bounty in the form of lemons, tomatoes, etc.  They raised sheep for a few years and then in 1998, God be praised, the vines went in. In Vino Veritas, and the Sciandri family found a lot of truth in their glorious grapes. Sciandri Family Vineyards offered the first vintage under their new label in 2006. Opening their beautiful home to vine enthusiasts, crazy friends, amorous couples and copious family, they have shared their love of good wine, good food, and good company. Ron loved his new adopted hometown and joined the Napa Valley Men’s Luncheon Club, International Food & Wine Society, and Old Town Irregulars. Even in retirement, Ron could not help but be good.

Ron will be missed by his loving wife Roberta, Rebecca Rae Griffin (Andrew), Ronald Richard Jr. (Melinda) and Ryan Robert (Nicole) and grandchildren, Scian Andrew and Tanner James Griffin, and Lucius Ronald Sciandri, and countless dear family and friends in SSF, Napa, Italy, and Australia. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday November 18, at 10:30 am.  Private committal will be held.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund P.O. Box 530  Kelseyville, CA 95451  707-279-2633.  Memories and words of sympathy may be shared with the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

 Service Information