Obituary of Jim Alberti

52 Year Resident of Santa Cruz County

 

Jim Alberti passed away in the arms of his loving wife, Peggy, on January 7 after a long illness. Jim’s life was filled with all kinds of wonderful and challenging experiences. Jim met his wife when they were both in college. After college he worked in a diagnostic laboratory while getting his MA degree in Microbiology. That work led to his interest in Veterinary diagnostic testing and starting his own lab where he developed the testing for feline leukemia. While running the lab he taught at Gavilan College and later at Foothill College where he started the Animal Health Technology program. During this entire time Jim and Peggy were building their own home themselves in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

 

After the laboratory business was sold, Jim began a printing and marketing firm with Peggy who had recently stopped teaching. That business grew and they eventually grew to occupy a 10,000 square foot building with 20 employees. There Jim did marketing and design as well as used his mechanical abilities to troubleshoot and repair the equipment. During that time he was involved in the development and marketing of several unique scientific projects including a particle trap, and a machine for remediation, and two software programs. 

 

During the 70’s,  Jim developed a portable birth support which was sold to third world countries, with the first being purchased by Community Hospital of Santa Cruz. He also invented and patented a fetal heart monitor. Jim’s interest in developing new products and ideas continued for the rest of his life. 

 

After the printing and marketing business was sold, Jim retired. Jim and Peggy both had a great love of travel and exploring new cultures, particularly in Italy and France. Jim was a great cook and loved to create interesting dishes. He especially enjoyed his period of cooking for the Sunrise Rotary Charity Bike Ride for several years. During he retirement,  Jim began researching hyperbaric oxygen and built 2 hyperbaric chambers. He and Peggy also began the planting of their Pinot Noir vineyard. After a few years of making delicious wine, the winery became licensed and bonded as Alberti Vineyard. 

 

Jim was a multi-talented and much loved family man who was proud of his family and proud of his association with Sunrise Rotary for 38 years. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, daughters, Jamie and Gabrielle, son-in law Alex,  4 wonderful grandchildren: Jack, Oliver, Kai and Kalea, and a brother John. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date.