Nov. 3, 1940 – April 12, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved patriarch, Claudio Gregoretti.
He valiantly fought a two-year battle against cancer, but he finally succumbed to his illness on April 12th. Claudio passed away peacefully at home with his wife and his son by his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Simeone Gregoretti (1963) and his mother, Giuseppina Gregoretti (1996.) He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lucy, his son James, his daughter-in-law Maha, and his grandchildren Isabella and Giancarlo Gregoretti. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Mario Bubbo, and his nephews, Michael and Paul Bubbo and his East Coast family including his beloved older brother Dino, sister-in-law Claudia and their children, Daniel, Walter, Leonard, and Jennifer Gregoretti. He is also survived by his dear cousin, Libero and his wife Patricia Gregoretti and other family members throughout the world.
Born in Isola d’Istria, Italy on November 3rd, 1940, he and his family later emigrated to Trieste. Claudio always loved to work with his hands and began working at an auto body repair shop called Zampa at the age of 14. That is where he began to learn his craft and developed a love of working and repairing cars. His family immigrated from Trieste, Italy to Bronx, N.Y. in 1956 and a year later, they moved to Buffalo, N.Y. At 19, he met the love of his life, Lucy Bubbo on a blind date. They were married on June 8, 1963, and have been inseparable ever since. Their only child and pride and joy, James was born in 1966.
In the fall of 1969, Claudio and his brother Dino opened C & D Collision in downtown Buffalo. He always said that the way he and his brother were trained to repair vehicles was an art form. He loved working everyday with his brother. He always said that their working relationship was incredible, because they always agreed and knew what each other were thinking. In 1977, he and his family had an opportunity to move to California to embark upon a new adventure. They settled down in Bel Marin Keys and then proceeded to open up Italian Delite Submarine Sandwiches in Ignacio. In 1982, they opened the second Italian Delite on Front Street in downtown Novato which he ran until he sold the business and retired in 2000. He was an avid San Francisco 49ers fan and in 1991, he became a San Jose Sharks fan. He loved watching hockey from his throne in the living room. From 2001 to 2007, he and his son would fly out to Indianappolis to watch the Formula 1 Races at the Brickyard with his East Coast family. He lived a life full of happiness and joy with his wife. In their later years, they both enjoyed camping and being with family and friends. He was a devout Catholic and a regular at the 11:00 a.m. mass at St. Anthony’s of Padua Church in Novato where he served as an usher for years until he became ill. He prayed daily until his last days.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there
I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond’s glitter on the snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there
I did not die.”
Due to the pandemic, plans for a celebration of life are on hold. We ask for your thoughts and prayers at this time.
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