Ronald Peter Giorgi
May 9, 1936 – March 4, 2023
Ronald Peter Giorgi.
It is with profound sadness the Giorgi family announces the passing of Patriarch, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, Ronald Peter Giorgi. Ron was born on May 9, 1936 in Oakland, CA, and left us on March 4, 2023, peacefully and surrounded by family in Coarsegold, CA.
He was son of Italian immigrants, Peter J. Giorgi and Rose Marques. Ron’s first true love was Joyce Young, who he married in 1957. Together they built a family and had three children: Jody, Jeff and Diana. Ron lost Joyce after 49 years in 2006.
Ron was a Tool & Die Maker by trade and worked for more than 30 years in Berkeley, California for Cutter Laboratories. Through the years Ron had many hobbies and could build just about anything. He built his first V-Drive Speed boat which was a copy of a 17’ Mandela hull with a 392 Chrysler Hemi engine in the early 60’s, which he and his family enjoyed during their annual, week long, camping, fishing, and water-skiing vacations at Lake Shasta.
Through the ’60s and ’70s water skiing was a nearly every weekend event. Very early on, he and his father Pete handmade water skis until he bought a Maharaja, which he loved as his prized possession. Among his hobbies and toys were motorcycles, dune buggies, and later a love for building Hot Rods.
He built several cars, the first being a ‘33 Ford Tudor, then a ‘27 Ford T-Bucket, followed by a ‘46 Ford Convertible which he later sold, and on the same day, he purchased his Dream Car: a Red ‘72 Chevy Chevelle 454 Super Sport. He could usually be found in his shop working on, replacing, or upgrading something on this car.
Through the years he attended many local and out of town car shows and
winning numerous awards. He was an active member of The Mountain Road Rattlers based in Oakhurst, CA.
Ron met Joy in 2007 and they were married in 2009. Together they enjoyed attending Car Shows and their many camping trips to Pismo Beach.
His favorite place to shop was Harbor Freight Tools, and he could spend hours browsing this store. Among his other gifts was his gift for gab, he was everybody’s “New Best Friend” and made lifelong friends no matter where he was or where he lived. Ron had such a love for life, friends, and family. He was many things to many people and had several enduring names like “BaBa” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, “Ronald Mc Donald” or just “Daddy Ron” to others.
Ron leaves behind his wife Joy Giorgi; his children Jody Giorgi, Jeff Giorgi, and Diana Wiegner; his grandchildren Gerrit Hoppe, Keith Buford, Cole Robertson, Christina Wiegner, and Richard and Russel Brechbuehl; great-grandchildren Abriana, Gina, and Skylar Hoppe, Ruby and Georgia Robertson, Kalvin, Kacey, and Kalice Buford, and Beau, Bren, Buck, and Boone Brechbuehl; and nieces Lesley and Lydia Enz.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on April 14th at Our Lady of the Sierra Catholic Church, 40180 Indian Springs Rd, Oakhurst, CA. The family requests no flowers. Though Ron was not a veteran himself, he supported the work of the Wounded Warrior Project and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Our Lady of the Sierra Parish
40180 Indian Springs Road
Oakhurst, CA, 93644
559-642-3452
A Poem About Ron
I knew a man with a mischievous grin,
The very best friend that has ever been.
He had three children, two girls and a boy,
And their time spent together was truly a joy.
He loved building boats and hot rods too,
In his lifetime he owned more than a few.
He loved camping out under the stars at night,
Until a spider crawled in and gave him a fright.
So he put on his heaviest coat,
And spent the rest of the night asleep in his boat.
I’m thankful that I got to know him better,
We had a lot of good times together.
He always had a sparkle in his eye,
And it grew brighter as time went by.
Yes, Ron and his family we truly adore,
But I’m sure God loves him even more.
And we’ll all be together again
In a world that’s free from suffering and sin.
And then once again, and forever more,
We’ll spend eternity with the one we adore.By Harrison
Forever in our hearts.
