Adolph "Dolph" John Lucchesi
Adolph “Dolph” John Lucchesi died peacefully in his home on Monday, March 15, 2021 in Novato, California at the age of 89.
Dolph is survived by his wife of almost 69 years Rosalie; their children Janis Giampaoli, David Lucchesi (Denise), and Robert Lucchesi Sr. (Julie). Dolph also leaves behind his six adoring grandchildren, Cristina Rinaldi (Matthew), Joseph Giampaoli III (Adrienne), Nicole Thompson (Daniel), Jonathan Lucchesi (Danielle), Robert Lucchesi Jr. (Stephanie), and Kaitlin Heizer (Matthew); as well as his 14 loving great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, Pia; his father, Evo; his sister, Edith; his brother, Italo; and son-in-law, Joseph Jr.
Dolph was born on July 1, 1931, in San Francisco, California to Pia and Evo Lucchesi, immigrants from Lucca, Italy. Dolph attended Sarah B. Cooper Elementary, Francisco Junior High School, and was a graduate of Galileo High School Class of 1950. He was a member of the Salesian Boys Club and The Knights of Columbus. On May 10, 1952, Dolph married his forever sweetheart, Rosalie. Though they lived across the street from each other as children, attended all the same schools, it wasn’t until their Senior Sneak Day that they had their first date at the San Francisco Zoo. Dolph and Rosalie lived in San Francisco until moving to Novato, California in 1964.
Dolph worked for 25 years in the grocery and delicatessen business. In 1975, he began working for Marriot in the food service, banquet, and catering side of the business where he stayed until 1994 when he finally retired.
Retirement suited Dolph very well; he loved to play golf, bowl, play poker, spend time with the SIRs, take Rosalie to Graton, and most importantly travel and enjoy his family. Dolph and Rosalie especially loved to cruise, and they looked forward to enjoying long trips with their family and friends. Nonno loved to cook, whether it be for large groups of people or just his family, everything he prepared was cooked with love and care.
Dolph will be terribly missed by his loving and adoring wife, Rosalie. Anyone that knew them, knew they were a matched pair. They rarely, if ever, spent a day apart from each other. Though his body is no longer with us, Nonno Dolph will be in our hearts and minds at every Sunday dinner, every one of his great-grandkids’ football, baseball, softball, and basketball games, musicals or play performances, and in every hug and kiss we, his family, give Mom/Nani Rose.
A funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, March 23rd at Our Lady of Loretto Church at 10:30a.m. Due to Covid restrictions, a private internment for immediate family only will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marin Cancer Care, 1350 South Eliseo Drive, Suite 200 Greenbrae, CA 94904; or Dolph’s favorite charity, UCSF Brain Tumor Research, P.O. Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339.