William Steven Dittoe

William (“Bill”) Steven Dittoe died on August 3, 2021. He was 67 years old.

A fourth generation San Franciscan, Bill was born along with his twin brother John (“Jack”) Edward Dittoe - on June 20, 1954 at San Francisco Children’s Hospital – an event that the well-known Chronicle journalist Herb Caen found funny enough (given the last name and twins) to have noted in his daily column. Bill’s father (William Edward Dittoe) was an Ohio transplant, while his mother (Janet Curran Dittoe) was a third generation San Franciscan. Bill lived with his parents, brother and sister (Susan) in the Forest Hills neighborhood and attended San Francisco public schools (West Portal Elementary, Herbert Hoover Junior High and Lowell High School). He then attended U.C. Berkeley (1972-76) and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration (finance emphasis). In 1978, he earned an MBA (finance emphasis) from U.C. Berkeley.

Bill was tall and became so at an early age. Indeed, he was six feet by the 7th grade and nearly 6’5” by the time he stopped growing in high school. But, he was a gentle giant.

Bill had a lifelong love affair with sports – especially baseball, basketball and golf – but baseball was the sport for which he had the most affection and the one at which he particularly excelled. He started playing organized baseball at age eight and didn’t stop until his junior year at U.C. Berkeley. Bill thoroughly enjoyed playing baseball, especially hitting, and he practiced regularly and enthusiastically. Because of his height, Bill usually played first base and became well known for his hitting prowess, especially his prodigious home runs. A high school friend (Brad Duffey) nicknamed him “Boog” after the Baltimore Oriole first baseman Boog Powell. Although Bill had hoped to put the “Boog” nickname behind him when he entered college, that proved not to be the case as too many of his friends and family followed him to U.C. Berkeley and insisted – with great love and affection of course - on continuing that nickname.

Bill started on the baseball team all three of the years that he attended Lowell and earned All City awards as a first baseman and pitcher. Perhaps Bill’s most memorable game in high school was when he pitched Lowell to a 2 to 1 victory over Balboa in the 1972 San Francisco High School Baseball Championship. Not only was this Lowell’s first baseball championship in many decades, but the opposing pitcher was Michael Norris, who was drafted as a pitcher in the first round (24th overall) in January 1973 and thereafter pitched in the major leagues (for among others, the Oakland Athletics). Bill received a partial baseball scholarship to U.C. Berkeley, but ceased playing after two years when the coach wanted him to focus on pitching rather than playing first base.

While at U.C. Berkeley, Bill was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity where he enjoyed fun and memorable times and made lifelong friends. One fraternity brother has described Bill as high on his list of “most likely to have a great time with”. After graduating from U.C. Berkeley, Bill worked as a financial analyst/consultant for Fairchild, Ford Aerospace and Alexander & Alexander (then one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage firms). But, for reasons unknown, Bill retired very early. Although he was in love with a special woman in his 20’s, they never married and he never had children.

In the 1980’s – 90’s, Bill lived in San Mateo before moving back to San Francisco in the early 2000’s.

Bill probably suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s for many years before he was formally diagnosed with such in 2011. But, he battled that horrible disease with dignity, grace and gritty determination, never complaining and never asking “why”? He always greeted family, friends and visitors with smiles and enthusiasm and sought to enjoy life as best he could.

After Bill’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, his brother became his trustee. Bill initially lived in a house in Larkspur, a location that not only allowed him to be close to his best friend (Chris Frasco), but also easy access to nearby hiking trails and a charming downtown with nice restaurants. After his disease had progressed to the point where managing his care became too difficult for any one live-in caregiver, he moved, in May 2017, to a board and care home (Classic Care Home of Walnut Creek) owned/ operated by Beth Quintong, R.N., a wonderful and caring professional. Beth and her staff of caregivers (especially Maria Asuncion) as well as Bill’s primary care physician (Dr. Michelle Dhanak at Elder Consult Geriatric Medicine) not only provided high levels of professional care but tremendous love and support for Bill over his last four years, for which Bill’s family and friends will be forever grateful.

Bill enjoyed attending sporting events – especially Giants games. He had 49er season tickets for awhile. He enjoyed playing golf but was frustrated with hitting slices and losing to his brother (which was generally the case). He enjoyed food – especially a good steak with Cabernet; fresh crab with sourdough bread and Chardonnay; the holiday buffet at the Claremont Country Club – and of course ice cream - but nothing more than his Peet’s coffee. He loved the mountains, especially Lake Tahoe, which his family frequented every summer.

Bill loved animals, especially Bella (his brother and wife’s golden Labrador Retriever). He especially loved his family and holiday gatherings. He would have thoroughly enjoyed his six year old and four year old grand-nephews (Jack and Andrew) had he been healthy. Bill was extremely smart and a voracious reader. He enjoyed listening to talk radio and talking politics and current events with friends and family.

After his death, those who knew Bill have described him as follows: (1) a “stud”; (2) the guy you would follow into battle; (3) loved by everyone who knew him; (4) a fun guy, always mischievous; (5) among the most genuinely nicest people I’ve ever met; (6) kind, thoughtful, genuine and soft-spoken; (7) always in a pleasant mood and a “gentleman”; (8) a “character”; (9) a proud and loyal American and (10) “one of a kind”.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister (Susan Dittoe Jones). He is survived by: (1) his brother Jack (and Jack’s wife Alanna) of Piedmont, California and (2) his niece Kirstin Dittoe Cicero (husband Robert Cicero) of Westfield, New Jersey and their two sons (John (“Jack”) Robert Cicero and Andrew James Cicero).

A gathering of close family and Bill’s friends will be held but its timing has been made problematic by recently imposed COVID restrictions. Any donations in Bill’s memory should be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, youth baseball programs or the charity of your choice.

Joseph Cresci, age 77, also known as “Jo-Jo” and “Joe,” prided himself in his Italian name, “Guiseppe,” which was his grandfather’s name. On the evening of July 19, 2021, at the age of 77, Joe Cresci died of a heart attack in his home in San Rafael, “Marinwood,” California. He was born in the North Beach District of San Francisco, near Fisherman’s Wharf. His wife, Diane Cresci, died on January 9th, 2019. He is survived by his only child, Gina Marie Cresci, his sister, Marie Cresci Kanarr, his brother, Salvatore Cresci, and niece, Loren Kanarr Laughlin.

As a longshoreman and crane operator, he worked out of the Port of Oakland for over 35 years.

As a teen, Joe’s favorite pastime was listening to rock ‘n roll music continued throughout his life, May he rest in peace.

Services will be held on Saturday September, 4, 2021 at: Saints Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert St. San Francisco, CA 94133