Gregory Mark Paganini passed on March 10, 2009, at home in Sonoma at the age of 48. His sudden death from a heart attack has impacted many and he will be remembered for his generosity and loving nature.
He was the beloved husband of Kristi; loving father to Tessa and Cara; idolized son of Rosalie and Robert Paganini; dear brother of Jeffrey Paganini and Tamara Davidson. He was the brother-in-law of Dennie Paganini, Russ Davidson and Tony Graue; son-in-law of Karen Owen; nephew of Bill Paganini, Claudia Rannikar; and is also survived by nieces Jennifer and Melissa, nephews Nicholas and Ryan, and a large extended family.
A native of Sonoma, Greg graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 1978, attended Santa Rosa Junior College, and married his wife in 1986. Soon after, they were blessed with two daughters Tessa and Cara who also graduated from Sonoma Valley High School and are currently attending American University in Washington, D.C. and Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., respectively.
Greg was particularly proud of the fact that both daughters had gone on to play volleyball at a Division I collegiate level. Attending every possible game, he would often be seen wearing the T-shirt and baseball hat of one school or another cheering the teams on and was affectionately known by the girls’ teammates as “Papa Pag.”
Gregory worked at Golden Gate Transit for 19 years and enjoyed the friendships he made there. Particularly special to him was his commuting buddy and longtime friend Darryn Silveria.
Greg and his family dedicated much of their time over the years to volleyball organizations that benefited not only their children, but also many other girls in the area. In his memory, Empire Volleyball Club has graciously offered to establish a memorial scholarship in his name.
For those who are interested in honoring Greg in this way, please send donations to the Empire Volleyball/Northbay Juniors organization or to the Sonoma Boosters /Girls Volleyball Program. Checks should be made out to North Bay Juniors Foundation, a non-profit organization (tax id # is 06-1674029) or to Sonoma Valley Boosters/Girls Volleyball Program.
The mailing address is North Bay Juniors Foundation, 4754 Annadel Heights Dr., Santa Rosa, Calif. 95405 or Boosters Club/Girls Volleyball, Sonoma Valley High School, P.O. Box 1264, Sonoma, Calif. 95476.
John D. Ford passed away peacefully at his home in Kenwood, with his wife at his side after a courageous battle with colon cancer. He was a native San Franciscan and a proud member of the San Francisco Fire Department who retired in 2001 after a 30-year career. John enjoyed the challenge of deciphering the cause of a fire and ended his career in the SFFD Arson Squad as an investigator. He continued working in this line of work until his illness. John was admired by many of his peers and truly loved all aspects of fire investigation and the people he encountered along the way.
John’s other love was to travel, and he and Kathy were fortunate to have traveled to extraordinary destinations. One of their favorite spots was Hawaii, where they were able to spend a few weeks in January of 2009.
John is survived by his loving wife Kathleen Walters Ford, his beloved sisters, Evie Grossman (Carl) and Nancy Williams (Terry), loving mother-in-law, Rose Walter Pearse, and many dearly loved family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jaykee and Evelyn Mahoney Ford and brothers, Melvin and Terry Ford.
He lived his life as a hero and was brave to the end.
Friends are invited to attend a vigil service on Monday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at Star of the Valley Church, 545 White Oak Dr., in Santa Rosa. Private inurnment. Memorial donations in John’s honor can be made to Hospice by the Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, Calif., 95476, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements and services under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel Cremation Service.
Bessie Lavina Baines passed peacefully away at home in Sonoma on April 1, 2009. A native of Oklahoma and a 66-year resident of Sonoma, she was well known in the Valley and worked at the Sonoma Golf and Country Club for 30 years.
She was the loving mother of Nona Lucas of Santa Rosa and Nancy (Corky) Campisi of Sonoma; dear grandmother of Dante (Jane) Lucas of New York, Shari and John Lucas of Santa Rosa; Heather Huber of Venice, Calif. and Mark (Annalee) Huber of Sonoma. She was the adored great grandmother of Kenneth Rohrbach, Tommy and Maiah Lucas of Santa Rosa and Sabastien and Milan Huber of Sonoma.
Bessie will be remembered for her smile, amazing spirit, generous hospitality and most of all her tremendous wit. On her behalf, Bessie’s family would like to thank all of her loving caregivers and nurses who took such kind and thoughtful care of her.
A private Graveside Service is pending as is a Celebration of her life.
Donations may be made in her name to Hospice by the Bay, 190 West Napa Street, Sonoma, Calif. 95476.
Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 West Napa Street, Sonoma, Calif. 95476.
