Harry Charles Ghiringhelli

Harry Charles Ghiringhelli

Harry Ghiringhelli passed away on March 14, 2023 in Fairfax, California, surrounded by his family. Harry was born on February 10, 1934 at the Cottage Hospital in San Rafael, California.  He was the third of four children born to Joseph Ghiringhelli and Antionette (Pagani) Ghiringhelli. Harry lived in San Rafael until 1937 when his parents purchased and moved to Deer Park Villa, a 4 acre property and restaurant in Fairfax.

While still in grammar school, Harry began working at Deer Park Villa where his main job was to stock the bar. As he got older, he learned to bartend and cook. When he wasn’t behind the bar or in the kitchen, he was acting as Deer Park’s plumber, electrician, and contractor. All skills he taught himself from meticulously watching professionals who were once hired to complete various improvements at Deer Park.

Harry attended Fairfax Grammar School, St. Anselm’s Grammar School, St. Anselm’s High School and transferred to Marin Catholic High School after it opened in 1949. In 1951, Harry was in the second graduating class of Marin Catholic. Harry was a great basketball player being named “All Northern California Basketball Guard” in his Senior year when Marin Catholic won the state pennant. He attended college at Santa Clara University from 1951 to 1954 earning a Bachelors in Business Administration. It took him one extra quarter to earn his degree because he kept his class load light so that he could travel back to Fairfax to work at Deer Park every weekend after his father fell ill. 

On one of these trips home from college, Harry met his future wife. Jaqueline “Jackie” Biasotti was babysitting for Harry’s sister, Dolores Forni, when Harry came over to watch the only television on the property. They started dating shortly thereafter. When Harry was drafted into the Army in 1957, he and Jackie were married and they moved to his first duty station in San Antonio, Texas. 

The next year, Harry was reassigned to the Presidio in San Francisco. Harry and Jackie moved back to Deer Park and remodeled the old carriage house, where they raised their daughters, Jo “Joey” and Carol. Harry traveled into the city during the week to finish his Army assignment, while working every weekend at Deer Park Villa. After Harry was discharged, he continued working at the restaurant full time. He and Jackie later built a house on one corner of the Deer Park Villa property where they lived the rest of their lives.

Even though Harry supposedly “retired” after running the restaurant for over 50 years alongside his brother Bob and sister Dolores, he continued to be the fix-it-guy and kept passing on his knowledge of the property and business to younger generations up until the end. 

Harry was a lifelong outdoorsman. Growing up he could often be found running around with his brother Bob in search of game. Duck hunting was a family affair and many of his favorite memories were at his father’s duck club. He enjoyed horseback riding, and was known to ride in the town parades. He was also an avid fisherman, and frequented the nearby creeks and lakes as well as the San Francisco Bay.

Harry’s biggest joys in life were being with, caring for, and feeding family and friends. He was a nurturing and attentive father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He always went out of his way to help people and was extremely proud that he and his family never cheated anyone. 

Harry was a loving husband to Jackie for 64 years. At the end of Jackie’s life, Harry was a compassionate caregiver up until her death in 2021.

Harry is survived by his two daughters Joey (Ken Thornton) and Carol, his grandchildren Bryan Carlson (Katie) and Annie Thornton, his two great-granddaughters, Remy and Lucy, his brother Jon Ghiringhelli, and many nephews and nieces who loved him dearly. 

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 27, 11:00 am, at St. Anselm’s Church, 97 Shady Lane, Ross, California. All friends and relatives are welcome. A reception will follow at Deer Park Villa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jesuits West at https://www.jesuitswest.org/support-us/donate-now/.

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