Obituary of Bruno A Sargentini

Family and friends mourn the loss of LTC Bruno A. Sargentini, who returned home on December 19, 2012 at the age of 98, in his home in Santa Cruz. Bruno was born in Willits, CA on May 12, 1914, son of Luigi (Louis) Sargentini and Guiseppina (Josephine) Bigongiari, who immigrated to Mendocino County in 1909 from Lucca, Italy. Bruno lived in Ft. Bragg from 1918 to 1926, and then moved to Ukiah. He graduated from Ukiah high school in 1932, and started working at the Mendocino State Hospital in 1935, in Talmage, CA. On July 7, 1941, five months before Pearl Harbor, Bruno was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in the U.S. Installations of WWII in Northern Europe command, under Gen. George Patton. Bruno was in four major campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Bruno continued on at Mendocino State Hospital, briefly, before transferring to Agnew State Hospital, in San Jose. Bruno married Doris Harter on September 30, 1954, and retired from work in 1960. Bruno and Doris enjoyed travel together before she passed away in 1988. Bruno was known for his fantastic memory, even at age 98. He would say, "everyone knows the Gettysburg Address. Don't you?" Then he would recite it word for word. Bruno loved his Santa Cruz "family," especially close friend Milt Entwistle, who he knew for 25 years. He served his God and Country with humility, and returned home with honor. Bruno is survived by his two sisters, Roeley Giusti and Julia Rafferty, two nephews, Robert Giusti (his Godson) and Richard Giusti, three grandchildren, Stan Astle, Katie Drew, and Ron Astle, eleven great grandchildren, and 17 gg grandchildren. The family would like to thank his caregivers, Lindsey, Veronica, Jamie, and Lonnie. He loved his girls, and they loved him. A viewing and vigil will be held on Wednesday January 2nd, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., at the Pacific Gardens chapel, at 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz. Services will be held at the church, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 515 Frederick St., Santa Cruz, CA, on Thursday January 3, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at the Ukiah Cemetery on Friday January 4th, at 2 p.m., for close friends and family. In lieu of flowers, any kindness in his memory can be given to MOAA, (Military Officers Association of America) scholarship fund. Please send donations, if desired, to MOAA, 3071 Dover St., Santa Cruz, CA 95065.