In Memoriam: Joe De Benedetti

Healdsburg father of six Joe De Benedetti, who was deeply involved in local schools and the wine industry, has passed away at age 91. After a stint in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and some years living and working down in Pacifica, Joe moved to town with his wife Ramona in 1963, according to his obituary. They lived here the rest of their lives. More from his obituary: “Joe was the longtime produce manager at Shop ‘n’ Save and Clover Market in Cloverdale. He also was a vintner and early cultivator of chardonnay grapes in the vineyard that surrounds his home. After retiring from Clover Market, Joe worked in the tasting room at Mazzocco Sonoma Winery in Healdsburg. Joe served as a school board member for St. John’s Elementary School in Healdsburg and Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa. He was co-chairman of the St. John’s Fair for several years in the 1970s, which served as an important fundraiser for the Healdsburg private school. Joe also was a volunteer CYO basketball coach for St. John’s youth teams in the early 1970s. In retirement, he volunteered often at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Santa Rosa. He met regularly with a group of fun-loving friends they dubbed ‘The Mortadella Gang.’ Joe was a proud Italian American who cared deeply about his family and believed in the power of positive thinking.” A funeral mass for Joe will be held at this Friday afternoon at St. John’s Church. (Source: Legacy.com)