Obituary
Guest Book
1932
2012
Steve Antongiovanni passed away January 14, 2012 at the age of 79.
He was born in Bakersfield, California on March 29, 1932 to Paul and Celide Antongiovanni.
He is survived by his children Liana (Bud) Simpson, Lori (Bill) Acorn, Julie (Riley) Wolff, Paul (Kathy) Antongiovanni, and John Antongiovanni (Holly); Grandchildren Amy (Jordan) Friedman, Ryan (Mindy) McLeod, Cristina Simpson, Robert (Sarah) Acorn, Michael Acorn, Matthew and James Antongiovanni, and Felicia and Katlyn; and great grandchildren, Camden, Asher and Emery Friedman, Eva and Olivia McLeod, and Isabella and Sophia Acorn.
He is also survived by his former wife Mary Antongiovanni. He is also survived by his nephews Ron Allegrini and Rick Allegrini. He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Celide, his sister Vanda Allegrini and his brother-in-law August Allegrini.
In 1959 Dad went to work for the Humboldt County Hospital as the chief accountant/assistant administrator. He always worked many jobs through his working career and was the bookkeeper for several small local businesses besides his regular employment.
He was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Humboldt County Employees Federal Credit Union with 25 members in the early 60's. In 1970 he opened the first office of the Credit Union at 5th and O Streets in Eureka. He began to grow the Credit Union quickly and it was relocated to 3rd and K Streets. During this time, Dad started Redwood Central Credit Union and eventually merged the County Employee Federal Credit Union into the state chartered Redwood Central Credit Union forming Coast Central Credit Union. He remained the CEO/President of Coast Central Credit Union until his retirement in 1990.
Dad held many national positions including National Director from California to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), President of the Filene Educational Foundation and Vice-President of the National Directors from California. On the State level, he served as Chairman of the California Credit League in 1982 and for many years in various other capacities. Dad was devoted to the Credit Union movement and lobbied Congress in 1978 for interest bearing checking accounts for credit union members in Washington DC.
Dad was a hard working, roll up your sleeves manager. In his retirement Dad was called to consult for others credit unions within California including Southern Humboldt Community Credit Union in Garberville where he also served as a Board of Director for several years.
Dad loved to cook polenta for Easter Seals and Sons of Italy polenta feeds. He was an avid gardener and always proud of his beautiful yards. Dad had a lifelong passion for birds. Until his death he raised singing canaries and finches. His Grandson James has carried this tradition. He loved camping with his family and we have many fond memories of playing board games, swimming through his legs in the river at Standish-Hickey campground. He was an avid traveler having gone to Italy and Europe many times, returning to Italy and spending time with his extended family during his retirement for several months at a time until he was too ill to travel.
He was a devoted father and loved his children with all his heart and especially Kathy his daughter-in-law. The love of his life was his high school sweetheart and wife Mary Antongiovanni. They remained devoted to each other until his death enjoying many dinners out and family gatherings together.
Dad taught us the value of giving back. He was involved in many community activities including, Knights of Columbus at Saint Bernards for years, Sons of Italy, The Italian Catholic Federation and was the host of the Easter Seals telethons on local TV for many years always raising money and helping his community serve those in need.
The family would like to acknowledge his lifelong friends Donna and Dennis Brackenbrough and daughter Niki Bielfuss, his lifelong friend and Cousin Tony Rosselini and his best friend for many years Paul Cloer who was always there for Dad until the end of his life. The family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses who took such good care of Dad these past few years. With a special thank you to Ashley Smith, Dr.Cade, Dr. Ploss, St. Joseph's Hospital and staff and Saint Joseph Home Health and staff.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in his honor to St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, 2700 Dolbeer Street, Eureka, CA, 95501.
There will be a Rosary at Pierce Mortuary, 707 H Street, Eureka, CA on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 7:00pm. A Service will be held on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:00 am at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 6th & H Streets, Eureka, CA.
Care is under the direction of Pierce Mortuary.
Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 26, 2012
My sincere sympathy to all the family. May warm memories comfort you.
With caring prayers,
Karen Rudin
January 23, 2012
Our deepest condolences to the family for your loss. Steve will be greatly missed.
Jeff & Linda Nadell
January 22, 2012
To the Family of Steve Antongiovanni..
We are sorry to hear about your loss, and my parents have nothing but fond memories of Steve. Their prayer and sympathy goes out to you!
Mary and Samuel Winston and daughters Cherylanne and Carolyn!
January 22, 2012
Liana & Bud...our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Sounds like an amazing, accomplished man...stay strong. With Love.
Melanie Zuniga (and family)
January 22, 2012
Janice Harvey Weaver
Dear Mary and family...I am very sorry to read of Steve's passing. I have wonderful memories of working with him and the Board as his secretary/admin assistant at Coast Federal/Coast Central from 1978 to 1983. He was a kind, hard working man and will really be missed in Humboldt County. My prayers are with you all.
January 22, 2012
Joe Peltonen
To Paul and family i'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Didn't know your father but from what I have read he sounded like the kind of person I would have envied very much.
January 21, 2012
Cherie Zygaczenko
Dear Liana,
I'm so sorry to learn about your father's passing. Wishing you and your family peace, strength and comfort in your special memories of your father and the love you share.
January 21, 2012
Kristen Cohen
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 21, 2012
The Wolffs
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
January 20, 2012
Doris Yerkins
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
January 20, 2012
Sharon Toborg
Steve saved me. When I was in crisis in 2001, and about to give up my career in Credit Unions, he counciled me on moving foward, being strong and helping the Credit Union Movement to help others. Today I am Executive Vice President of Community Credit Union. If not for Steve, I would not have succeeded in my career and education. Also if not for Steve, Community Credit Union of Southern Humboldt would not have survived it's challenges. Steve will be missed.
January 20, 2012
Lora Frediani Canzoneri
Steve was one of my late father's best friends. I'll always remember him as a big man whose heart was even bigger. I know that I will always feel his spirit at the polenta feeds. Arriverderci, caro Steve.
January 20, 2012
Mike Gomez
January 20, 2012
Janice Alioto
Dearest Mary and Family,
We want to offer our deepest sympathy to your whole family. I will always have a special place in my heart for you both. I still remember being a flower girl in your wedding!
Steve was the last historian of the Banducci/Antongiovanni family, and I called him on more than one occasion to find out about various family members.
May he rest in peace.
Much love from us!
Janice and Santo Alioto
January 20, 2012
Ron & Dyanne Allegrini
We'll miss "Uncle Steve" ... a loving and caring person, with the greatest smile and sense of humor of anyone we have ever known.
January 20, 2012
Anne Davis
Our deepest sympathy to all of Steve's family. Steve was my son Alex Wissman's godfather and we stayed in touch over the years. Alex just turned 21 and we will miss Steve very much. God's blessings to you all.
January 20, 2012
John & Stina Gonsalves
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 20, 2012
Lila Bollmann
Dear Mary and family~
I want to offer my sincere condolences on your recent loss of Steve. May the memories you have of him turn your tears to smiles.
January 20, 2012
Sue and Ray Greene
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
January 20, 2012
Patrick Gallagher
My deepest sympathy to Steve's family for their loss.
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