Earl James Dolcini

Earl Dolcini, a lifelong rancher and fourth-generation Californian, died on Friday, June 6. He was at home, just three miles from the dairy ranch of his childhood in West Marin. Earl was dedicated to family and agriculture. In addition to these interests, he served in the U.S. Navy, was a Farm Credit Land Bank director, and served on nonprofit boards.

He attended one-room Lincoln School in Hicks Valley through eighth grade. At St. Vincent High School, where he graduated, he was student body president and Boys State representative. As a member of the Class of 1951 at St. Mary’s College, he majored in economics and liberal arts, graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

Earl joined the U.S. Navy and was a seaman in Japan. While home on a brief leave in 1952, he and Mary Margaret “Micky” Lane of Petaluma were married. He was admitted to Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned as an officer in 1953. Most of his active duty was served in the Seattle area.

After Earl completed active duty, he and Micky returned to Petaluma, and he joined his father and brothers in the dairy business. (The family dairy tradition began after his Swiss great-grandfather arrived in the 1850s. There was also agriculture on his Irish side. His Irish great-grandfather came to California in the 1840s.) Earl eventually became the sole operator of the all-Jersey dairy.

In the 1960s, he and Micky started their own beef herd with four cows.

Earl maintained his Navy connection in the Naval Reserve, serving as commanding officer at reserve facilities in Petaluma and Santa Rosa. He retired as a lieutenant commander.

At age 57, he was elected as a Farm Credit Land Bank director and served 20 years, including 12 years of chairmanship at various institutions within the organization. His bank responsibilities took him to 40 states and Washington, D.C., where he also served on the national Farm Credit Council, including two years as its chairman.

A founding board member of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, he was chairman for two years. He served as a Marin County Farm Bureau director. In the 1970s, Earl joined the Parent-Faculty Council at St. Vincent High School. He supported agriculture as a board member for the former St. Anthony Farms, an addiction-recovery center that ran farm businesses in Bloomfield. For over 50 years, he enjoyed the camaraderie of Sonoma County Trail Blazers.

His Catholic faith was integral to his life and guided all decisions. He belonged to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Petaluma.

Earl and Micky enjoyed traveling to Europe and in the U.S. to visit dear friends and family.

Earl is survived by Micky and their eight children: Anne Starr (Tom), Joan Coudray (Mark), Peggy Dolcini (Joe Catania), Tim Dolcini (Lisa), Phillip Dolcini (Bonnie), Mimi Bundesen (Karl), Sam Dolcini, and Becky Castillo (Brian). His 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Katherine (Connolly) Dolcini; his siblings Anita, Arnold Jr., Ruth, Marguerite, and Peter; and one grandson, Daniel Coudray.

A rosary vigil will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 35 Liberty Street, Petaluma. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, followed immediately by interment with military honors at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 304 Magnolia Avenue, Petaluma. A gathering will follow.

Donations may be made in Earl's name to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 5671 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

St. Vincent de Paul Society
5671 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park CA 94928
Tel: 1-707-584-1579
Web: https://www.svdp-sonoma.org/