George Rudolph Vaio, Jr. March 26, 1938 - November 21, 2023
George Rudolph Vaio, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, the 21st of November, two days before Thanksgiving. Instead of being called “George Jr.” he was known as “Bart” to family and friends.
George was born in San Francisco, the oldest of four children. The family lived in the Sunset District, then, Ingleside Terrace before moving to Marin when George was in the 7th grade. He attended St. Raphael’s, then joined the Marin Catholic High School graduating in the class of 1957. He went on to graduate from USF in 1961 with a business degree. While in high school, he played basketball and continued on playing in the industrial league before severely breaking a leg and having to give it up. While going to USF he worked in his father’s hardware store in San Anselmo (Highland Hardware) and commuted to USF with his lifelong buddies.
After college, George took a job with Westinghouse in San Francisco. A year later he moved to Dahl-Beck Electric in San Francisco. He worked in the marine electrical sales department; mainly selling electrical supplies to ships. In the mid 80’s, he moved his division to Emeryville and made it into a separate company – Beck Electric Supply. During his time there, he established 2 separate branches (Seattle and Long Beach). He took great pride in the company’s success by the time of his retirement.
George met his wife, Linda while waterskiing at Clear Lake in 1967. They married in 1969 and settled in Terra Linda where they raised two sons. George always loved coaching both boys in sports--soccer, basketball and baseball and he loved being part of the CYO program. George and his family enjoyed many summers houseboating with their longtime friends and families at Lakes Shasta, Oroville and Trinity – treasured memories.
In retirement, George and Linda enjoyed their travels to Italy, France, and other European countries, plus Australia and New Zealand, and snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands, Tahiti and Hawaii! George was a very competitive bocce player, poker player and pedro player. He loved books on Civil War history, his Monday Pedro group, his SIR’s Chapter 47 meetings, and the Italian Athletic Club of Marin; he always enjoyed outings with the Marin A’s model A Club, but he especially enjoyed his hiking group, the Mewalks.
George developed a lifelong love of 49er football going to the games with his father in the 1950’s at Kezar Stadium. He followed the team to Candlestick Park with a group of friends and family. He loved his 49er football team, Warriors basketball, cowboy movies, being out in nature, his catholic community at St. Vincent’s, and a good Manhattan on the Rocks, a lovely glass of Pinot Noir, an occasional shot of grappa after dinner, but he especially loved his family. He loved holding hands around the dinner table while he said grace with the family. He was a kind, witty, politically savvy, and compassionate man with principles.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda; son, Tim (Julianne) Vaio, grandsons, Tyler, twins, Alec and Peter, and son, Bart (Melissa) Vaio, grandson, Lucas and twin granddaughters, Georgia and Josephine. Besides his children, he leaves his sister,
Patricia (Les) Mize and eleven nieces and nephews plus a multitude of grand-nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by his parents, George R. Vaio, Sr. and Eileen Dowling Vaio, brother, Gerald (Jeanne) Vaio, sister, Valerie (Mike) Manick, and niece, Michele Manick Daxer. George loved being Grandpa George or Papa to his grandchildren. He will be missed and dearly loved forever by his family.
Celebration of Life will be held at St. Vincent’s Chapel, 1 St. Vincent Dr., Marinwood, January 13, 2024; 11:00 A.M. In place of flowers, please consider a contribution to George’s favorite charities, Homeward Bound of Novato, 1385 Hamilton Way, Novato, 94949 or Casa Allegra, 35 Mitchell Blvd. #8, San Rafael, 94903