Guido Pennato

Guido Pennato - PENNATO, GUIDO" Let me tell you about my dad, Guido Pennato. He was born in Borgofranco, D"Ivrea, Italy, a small town in Northern Italy on July 21, 1927. His was a loving family of very meager means. My father became the town pharmacist in his early 20"s. One day, an Italian-American girl came into his store looking for something to help with her toothache. My father flirted with her and knew she was visiting with her parents from America. Three months later, in 1949, he married Gloria Germanetti from Santa Rosa. Upon moving to Santa Rosa himself, my father began working as a house painter and was later drafted during the Korean War. He was sent to Germany and became a medic. My mother joined him and they spent time traveling through Europe. Mom and Dad returned to Santa Rosa and started their family. I (Linda) was born in 1957, and my sister Lori (Pennato) Westerhold arrived in 1961. Dad loved us girls. Among other things, he built us a mini Disneyland in our backyard. Laughter, music and dancing were so much a part of our lives. We grew up hosting large Italian parties with Dad and his friends entertaining everyone with their accordions. He was a member of many local Italian Clubs, including the Italian-American Club, Italian Cultural Club, the Italian Catholic Federation of St. Eugene"s, and the Druids. Inventing, creating and building were his passions. He could fix anything. Dad became a successful painting contractor and worked very hard to provide for his family. He loved people and animals. He was always saving injured animals and nursing them back to health. He adored the many ponies he raised. My father was many things to many people: a good son and brother, a loving husband to his wife Gloria, a proud loving and protective father, a proud Nonno to my two sons, Zachary and Cameron-they were his pride and joy. He was a helpful and kind father-in-law to my husband, Jeff Sargent, and Robert Westerhold, Lori"s husband. In Italy, he leaves behind his sister Zita, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Clelia. This is a huge loss for the Pennato Family. We will always remember his beautiful accordion music, his humor, and the beautiful memories that we will always hold in our hearts. With all my love, your daughter, Linda.