Stephen Wayne Pucci

June 26, 1942 - November 16, 2020 Life long Resident of Alameda, California

On the evening of November 16, 2020, Stephen Wayne Pucci at the age of 78, passed away peacefully at home in Alameda, CA with his loving wife, Ginger, at his side. Steve was born to Sal and Lorayne Pucci on June 26, 1942 in San Francisco, CA. their only child. Three years later Steve’s parents separated and divorced. Sal and Steve moved and lived with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Rose Pucci in Alameda for a few years until Sal met and married Alma Robertson; then they moved to their new home in Alameda. Sal and Alma presented Steve with a baby brother, George, and then along came baby sister, Susie.

Steve attended local schools in Alameda; Edison, Lincoln Grammar School, and Alameda High School. He excelled and lettered in football ( defensive end), he loved swimming, and was very active in drama class. Steve made many lifelong friends in school; hanging out with them at Lincoln Park Teen Club on Friday nights where they could dance and have some fun. On Saturday nights they would go to the movies to see a double feature and newsreel at the Alameda Theatre. A favorite place to go was the Plaza Drive- In in Oakland for hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes; usually with his high school

“steady” Ginger Potter. One day while driving Ginger home from school, Steve met her little brother, Patrick, who was 5 ½ years old. A bond of close friendship began and from then on Steve became a “surrogate father” to Patrick for the rest of his life.

Steve’s Grandfather, Giuseppe Pucci, the original “Joe” founded Joe Pucci & Sons in Oakland, CA. in 1918. The family seafood business was originally started in the old 6th St Market, in Oakland, where Joe Pucci delivered fish to customers by horsedrawn wagon. In 1930 they moved the retail and wholesale operation to the Payless Market behind Capwell’s Department Store in Oakland. In 1954 the wholesale operation was moved to the corner of 5th and Grove Street. From the age of 13 Steve worked as needed during summer vacations and holidays at the fish market, operated by his father, Sal Pucci, General Manager, doing small jobs and learning more about the family business he grew up in. They closed their retail department in 1960 and began to sell wholesale only. Steve’s father, Sal Pucci, passed away in 1962; then Joe Pucci, Sr. passed away in 1967 at age 82; Steve’s uncle, A. Joseph Pucci, became General Manager.

In 1960, after graduating from Alameda High School, Steve went to work fulltime at Joe Pucci & Sons. He learned how to filet fish, loading and unloading seafood from trucks, delivering fish orders on the flatbed truck, chipping ice off the frozen pipes in the storage freezer, and continued to learn more about the business and management.

On November 1, 1964 Steve married his high school sweetheart, Ginger Potter. Their beautiful wedding was held at St Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Oakland, CA.; with Father Oliver, a close family friend, officiating. A dinner reception for the wedding party, family, and friends was held at the Lake Merritt Boat House.

In 1968 their son, Anthony Joseph Pucci ( named after his Great Uncle Joe) was born at the Alameda Hospital. In 1971 their second son, Christopher Stephen Pucci ( named after his Father) was also born at the Alameda Hospital.

After Uncle Joe’s accidental death in 1967, Steve took over management with his Aunt Teresa Pucci, Owner. In 1968 Joe Pucci & Sons became the first wholesale fish plant to have fresh and frozen fish inspected by U. S. Dept. of Interior, which had increased business considerably. Customers included restaurants, large chain stores, independent markets, private clubs, and government facilities. Steve sold seafood and crabs to all the great Italian clubs, schools, churches, and group events; they all had crab feeds every year and Steve was known to many as “The Crab Feed King”.

Steve ran a “tight ship” with his crew. He knew what each one of them should be doing or needed to do. The crew got along so well, they were “like family”, working hard together as a “team” and they all knew they had a “great team leader” in Steve.

The business remained in the original 7,000 sq. ft. brick building at 431 Grove St in Oakland and then in 1978, in their 60th year of business, moved to 301 Grove St to a 30,000 sq. ft. building along with all of their employees. On March 4, 1978, a large Grand Opening party was held to show their new business offices and plant. Attended by family, many old friends, customers, and employees. Steve knew what “family business” meant to him personally. The “family” would soon include his son, Joey, who began doing small jobs at the fish market during his summer vacation from school. After Alameda High School graduation Joey had a full time job working with his dad selling fish; which is what he always wanted to do since he was three years old. Joey also ran the order desk for deliveries, sold fish to customers, and took care of customer service.

Steve’s son, Chris, loved going to work with his dad during summer vacations, when he was eight years old, just to “hang out” with his Pop! When Chris was in high school during his vacation time he would fill orders for restaurants, worked in the freezer with “the crew” learning how to condense boxes for new inventory, singing to customers and “the crew” and loved “lugging boxes at Pucci’s”!

During the late 1980’ s many large seafood companies were closing and their employees were out of jobs due to the closures; all wanted to work for Joe Pucci & Sons because Steve was known for being a good boss and could be “one of the guys”. Since the business was growing larger Steve did hire several of them.

Steve made many business friendships in his 33 year career as the “Cod Father”. He was a legend in the seafood industry and beyond.

Steve and his Aunt Teresa Pucci remained in business until 1993, when the business was sold to new owners. Steve remained as their Sales Manager for five years and retired in 1998.

Steve’s son, Joey, has carried on the “family tradition” by opening his own storefront fish market, JP Seafood in Alameda, CA.

A customer favorite is “Papa Steve’s Crab Cakes” and always quality service with a smile.

Steve’s son, Chris, a world class tenor, has warmed the hearts of people throughout the world. The Italian tenor was scholarshipped by the Julliard School and vocally sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Chris made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 25 and his fondest memory of that special evening was that his parents were in the audience.

Steve was a member of the Butcher Union, Local 120, Alameda Elks Lodge, No 1015, Santa Rosa Tule Duck Club, Williams, CA, and the California Waterfowl Association where he was a lifetime member.

Steve was an avid duck hunter for many years; he enjoyed it with his hunting buddies and his golden retriever “Bess”, and even more so when he joined the “Tule Duck Club”, the close friendships were lifelong. Steve was well known among hunters for his impossible “one shot, 5 ducks”!

Steve’s favorite “hangouts”, after a full day’s work, were “The Portlight” playing liars dice and shooting pool, “The Fat Lady” for superb meals, and “Scott’s Seafood” where he had his own “Pucci Corner” at the bar. Steve had the very best “fish tales” that his friends enjoyed hearing and there were so many to tell!

Steve was a lifelong fan and supporter of the “49ers”, “Giants”, “Warriors”, “Raiders”, “A’s”, and any boxing or wrestling match. He loved swimming when he could find the time, enjoyed playing golf with friends, playing handball at the Elks Lodge where he held the title “Handball Champion”.

In the 1970’ s Steve, along with friends involved with baseball, helped establish for the first time the Alameda Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. Steve was also a coach to his little league team sponsored by Joe Pucci & Sons. What fun we all had.

Steve loved music, of any kind, either on CD’s or attending live concerts. His favorite performers were “Queen”, “Neil Diamond”, “The Who”, “Moody Blues”, “House of Floyd”, and his son Chris, to name a few.

Family vacations to Hawaii and Maui, or driving to our cabin at Blue Lake Springs in Arnold, CA with the kids and “Flower” was memorable.

Tahiti with close friends, New York City; seeing the Statue of Liberty, climbing the stairs all the way to her crown, and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. The highlight was staying at the “Grand Hotel” on Mackinac Island… no cars… just horse & buggy… or walking.

Steve loved to play games: he loved video poker, “Pac- Man”, “Scrabble” with Ginger, “Cribbage”, every Wednesday with Patrick, even playing “Old Maid” cards or “Monopoly” with his adored granddaughters, Carmen and Rubye Rose. They also baked chocolate chip cookies together. Steve also enjoyed going to the casinos, with Ginger, to gamble.

Steve loved to work in his garden at home; planting flowers, and then when finished he so loved to sit in the sun to relax and feed peanuts to the birds & squirrels that would gather close by. Steve also enjoyed talking with his neighbor’s or people walking their dogs. He loved dogs and cats because he had many in his lifetime. His beloved dogs: “Frisky”, “Flower”, and “Bess” and his beloved cats: “Sadie” & “Sammy”, “Figaro” and last but not least, “Rudy”.

Steve’s kitchen was the “heart” of his beautiful home and he loved to cook at home. He was truly a gourmet chef with Ginger as his “sous chef” assistant. The best dinner gatherings for family or friends were any time they could be together; having dinners prepared by Steve and serving “Grandpa” drinks that Steve’s Grandpa Joe always made... Tradition! On November 1, 2020 Steve and Ginger celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary; enjoying a delectable dinner, prepared by Steve, with Dom Perignon Champagne, toasting each other “Together Forever”.

The family wishes to thank our Alameda Fire Department, for several emergency calls needing their help with Steve. Steve’s “Special Team” of home caregivers; many thanks to all of you; your kind, compassionate care, and friendship, over the past 3 ½ years, meant so much to Steve and his family. To our friends and neighbors; who helped us in so many ways; God Bless You All.

The family would like to thank Steve’s medical doctors; Dr John Carper of Alameda and most recently, Dr Ole Dierks of Oakland, for their medical care and concern.

Steve was predeceased by his father, Sal Pucci, and mother, Lorayne, and stepmother Alma, his brother, George Pucci, his mother- in- law, Rubye F. Potter, and brother- in- law, Robert A. Potter, Jr.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Ginger; his son Joey Pucci ( Holly), their daughters, Carmen and Rubye Rose of Alameda, CA.; his son Chris Pucci ( Shanon) of Alameda and Fresno, CA.; his sister Susie Holgerson ( Tommy) of Maui, HI; his aunt Teresa Pucci of Santa Rosa, CA.; his brother- in- law Patrick Potter ( Lisa) of San Leandro, Ca.; his sister- in- law, Steverly Penuela of Alameda, CA.; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and God children. There was a “Celebration of Steve’s Life” with family on Thanksgiving Day.

… Love of My Life, Steve, “Pa”… in sickness and in health… until death do us part… I’ll be seeing you… Your Ginger, “Ma”…

Steve will live on in our hearts to all who knew and loved him… and now Steve’s gone…” Fishing”…

For further information please call, Harry E. Greer, Funeral Director ( FDR- 745), Alameda Funeral Cremation Services, Alameda, CA. 510.522.6020.