Stephen J. Bardessono
December 30, 1933 - August 15, 2017
Stephen Joseph Bardessono was born December 30, 1933 in Napa, California. He was the youngest child of Lucy and John Bardessono of Yountville. His father died when Steve was just a baby, so he grew up under the guidance of his mother, Lucy, his Uncle Martin Zucco, his older brother Peter, and his sisters Katherine Mitchell, Peirina Patron, Antoinette Patron, Rose Castellano, and Mary Mulholland. Steve attended Yountville Elementary School and graduated from Napa High School in 1951.
Steve and Pat married in 1955, and Steve worked for the County of Napa Department of Agriculture. In 1975, Steve was appointed Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner and, in 1980, was appointed Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. Steve believed in supporting the agricultural industry as well as preserving the beauty of the Napa Valley. He worked extensively with others in the agricultural industry to establish the Napa County Agricultural Preserve. In 1993, Steve retired from his job as Napa County Agricultural Commissioner after 38 years of public service.
Always the visionary, Steve looked for ways to preserve the family land while the town and the times were changing. The Bardessono Brothers, Steve and Pete, with their wives, Pat and Maxine, began the long process of change and development. The family property ultimately transformed into what is seen today: bardessono inn, restaurant and spa, Arroyo Grande Villas affordable housing development, and a community park. Steve was incredibly proud of this transformation as well as what it provided for his family and his Town.
Steve found peace and grace his final days with his family by his side and the support of his friends and his community. He died peacefully and quietly on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 with his wife of 63 years, Pat by his side. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his children, Gina Bardessono, Stephen M. Bardessono (whose life partner of 31 years, Brent Christensen, passed in 2015), and Cindy and Margis Malisauskas; his grandchildren, Brianna Dunlap, Anthony Malisauskas, and Chris and Amberly Pettigrew; and his greatgrandchildren, Colby and Gracie Pettigrew. He is also survived by his extended family, including his sister-inlaw and longtime business partner, Maxine Bardessono, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren. The Bardessono family is large, and even if you weren’t related, you always felt you were family when you were with Steve.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Tulocay Cemetery and Funeral Home at 411 Coombsville Road, Napa, CA 94558. This will be followed by a reception at the Napa Valley Country Club, 3385 Hagen Road, Napa, CA 94558. In lieu of flowers, Steve’s family has requested any donations in his name be made to Napa Valley Community Housing, 150 Camino Dorado, Napa, CA 94558, nvch.org, or Collabria Care, 414 South Jefferson Street, Napa, CA 94559, collabriacare.org.