Ugo Jacuzzi Resident of Lafayette Nov. 27th 1922 - Oct. 29th 2011 Ugo passed away as he had wished; at home with loved ones by his side and his colorful gardens outside his window. He was born, raised and educated in Berkeley, California. His parents, Frank and Rena were Northern Italian immigrants. A heritage he was very proud of. While in high school Ugo began work at Jacuzzi Bros. Inc. which was founded by his father, four uncles and an aunt. There he would retire some forty years later having watched the family business grow from a small factory in Berkeley to a worldwide household name. As a machinist and engineer he served his country in the Merchant Marines aboard tanker ships that took him to Pearl Harbor, Mid-Way Island, Japan and the Aleutian Islands. Back on dry land he met and married the love of his life, Justine Rogers, affectionately nicked named by him "Jolly". Their marriage would last over 64 years until Jolly's passing in September. He was a gorgeous skier, learning the sport in his early teens by taking the train from Berkeley to Soda Springs and then reaching Sugar Bowl by a tractor drawn wagon. He enjoyed tennis but even more so golf. Never making it to a single digit handicap but always enjoying his rounds with friends on his three home courses, The Orinda Country Club, The Boulders in Carefree, AZ and Wailea on Maui. He loved gardening, traveling, cooking, mainly Italian and good wine, mainly Californian. Mostly though he loved his family. Not one to show his emotions, getting a hug from him was a huge feat. His love was shown thru his support, humor, teasing and enormous generosity. He had his own sense of style. Whether it was the bow ties he always wore or the yellow Porsche convertible he bought himself for his eightieth birthday, reason being, "I've never owned a yellow car before". He was never boastful and really didn't want an obituary, but what the heck; children disobey their parents all the time. His brother Giocondo (Lillian), two nieces, a nephew, children Nancy Jacuzzi, Susie Cochrane (Michael) son Chris, three grandchildren and one great- grandchild survive him. Due to his health a public memorial was never given for Jolly so family and friends please come to a memorial for our parents, Jolly and Ugo, Tuesday, November 15th 2011, at 3:00 pm, Santa Maria Catholic Church, 40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda California. If so inclined donations to Hospice of the East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Ave, Pleasant Hill, CA. 94523 or the charity of your choice .
Published in San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12, 2011