Primo Jean Dente

1924 - 2021

Born in Pittsfield, MA to Italian Immigrants, Frank and Teresa Dente, Primo’s family moved west to San Francisco in 1926. Primo grew up playing at Jackson Playground in the Potrero district with friends he would keep for a lifetime. An alumni of Mission High, he was an athlete who excelled at baseball and basketball. As a retiree, Primo could be found on local golf courses in San Francisco, surrounded by friends. He was a true fan of the Giants, the Warriors, and a 49er faithful who held season tickets dating back to the days of Kezar Stadium and Candlestick Park. Primo’s patience with the Niners was finally rewarded in the 80s, when he was able to attend two winning superbowl games.

Primo met the love of his life, Gloria Dalto, at a PG&E sponsored dance. They married in October 1951 and settled down in the Sunset district. Together, Primo and Gloria would spend the next 69 years dancing and socializing with the many friends they collected in childhood, at work, and those they met at St. Gabriel’s Parish. They enjoyed going on numerous cruises with their friends and traveled Italy extensively visiting their much beloved relatives. Primo was an active and long-standing member of the Italian Catholic Federation, a lifetime member of the Italian Athletic Club, and wore his green jacket each month while attending the Marino Pieretti luncheons.

Professionally, Primo worked at PG&E for 36 years as a cable splicer in San Francisco. His tenure there would later influence the careers of future generations, including his first daughter, son-in-law, and both of his grandsons. He was known for his kindness and fairness to all who worked with him. Primo was also known for his impressive attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship, qualities he applied to both his professional and personal life.

Of all things Primo valued most, creating a warm and welcoming family life was first on his list. With Gloria by his side, cooking up a storm, he took every opportunity to host and encourage regular family get-togethers throughout their many years together. He was a “hands on” father and coached his son’s St. Gabriel’s PAL baseball team, taught his kids how to swim, took his family on vacations each summer, and attended all of their games and performances. Primo’s sweet, generous nature was deeply appreciated by anyone who spent time with him. His closest friends will tell you that Primo was “un pezzo di pane,” which means “a piece of bread”—warm from the oven, everybody loves bread.

Primo is survived by his wife Gloria and their three children. Dan (Maureen), Terry Radov (Ken), and Janice Bishop (David).

His seven grandchildren, Francesca Dente, Gabrielle Magoulas (Eric), Nikki, Cory and Graham Radov, Caitlyn and Megan Bishop, and 1 great grandson, Lucca Magoulas.

Due to COVID-imposed restrictions, a public funeral for Primo is not possible at this time. A memorial will be held just as soon as it becomes safer to gather.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to either of Primo’s favorite charities:

St. Jude’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Doctors Without Borders P.O. Box 5030. Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030