Obituary of Richard M. Pitagora

Richard M. Pitagora, treasured husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, and attorney passed peacefully on October, 2, 2024 at the grand age of 98. Richard was active past his mid-90’s, and was always appreciative of the love, good food and wine, laughter, and natural beauty he saw around him, and for his beautiful and beloved life partner, Lynne. Richard was born to his Italian immigrant parents Emilia (nee’ Figari, San Andrea di Foggia, Genoa) and Anthony Pitagora (Ruva di Puglia and Foggia, Puglia) in Detroit, Michigan. He was their third child, following older sisters Frances Dora (Frandora) and Norma Marie, and then followed by Robert (Bob) and Mary Jean (Jean), all now deceased, and the youngest, Ronald, who died in infancy. The family was raised in Detroit where they had a circle of Italian cousins, aunts and uncles. Growing up during the Depression, Richard remembered being paid 50 cents a day helping the milkman in his horse-drawn carriage on Saturdays by dropping off milk on porches and picking up the empty bottles. Occasionally, he would be given a bottle of chocolate milk, a real treat. Once, when the milkman was sick (Richard was 7 or 8 years old) he picked up the horse at the company barn and did the route himself. “The horse knew the route! I could read and I delivered the milk. Looking back, I don’t recall getting any extra pay”. In middle school, Richard met lifelong friends. He was “crazy about sports”, and left the prestigious Cass Technical High School where he was studying electrical engineering because they “didn’t have a football team”. He graduated instead from the local Pershing High School in summer of 1943 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He wasn’t called up until May of 1944, and served in the Army on U.S. soil. The family started migrating to California in 1942 when Frandora vacationed to San Francisco and stayed. Norma joined her approximately a year later, and Bob around 1948. Mother Emilia passed from breast cancer in March 1948, and Richard drove Anthony (Pa) and Jean to Redwood City in 1951. Thanks to the G.I. bill, Richard graduated from the University of Detroit in 1953 with a law degree and moved to California that year to join the rest of the family. While working in San Francisco for the State Compensation Insurance Fund, he lived with his sister Frandora, and helped raise her children Roberta, Cynthia, and Connie. This created a strong bond with his nieces who always considered “Uncle Richie” a very important person and father-figure in their lives. Richard met Lynne in the summer of 1957 when visiting the law offices of Miroyan & Moore, San Jose Lawyers with whom he was consulting on a case. When he walked into the office, the attorneys were out, but there sat Lynne who was working as their legal secretary. “I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight. But I was smitten with her beauty.” Richard and Lynne were married in July of 1959, with the nieces in attendance. "My marriage to Lynne in 1959 was the best blessing I could have received in my lifetime”. Together, in the home they’ve lived in for 65 years, they raised Sherri, Robert (Robby), Carolyn, and Matthew. “I want the world to know that the highlight of my life was the day I married Lynne. She was not only the most beautiful person in beauty, but also as the mother, grandmother, and great grandmother of the most loving family one could ever help raise!” Richard practiced law for 30 years, specializing first in Personal Injury Law, later Estate and Banking Law. But he said that his favorite work was Adoption Law; aiding couples in adopting a child. He was also a board member and legal counsel for Pacific Valley Bank in Silicon Valley, which later became Pacific Western Bank, and then Comerica. He retired from practicing law at the age of 70. In retirement, Richard and Lynne enjoyed traveling around the US, including Hawaii, and visiting with their many friends and relatives, including the friends Richard had made in his youth in Detroit. They also had many wonderful adventures in Europe. One of the highlights was their last European trip, when seventeen family members met to stay at a villa outside Lucca, Italy. Richard always said “that was the best trip”. He enjoyed playing bocce ball at Campo di Bocce in Los Gatos, participating in regular and tournament play, and the Bocce court and restaurant became the site of many a birthday celebration for Richard over the years, including his 97th birthday party with family. Richard enjoyed good food, good wine, and good company. He became an expert at preparing risotto, and no one could load a dishwasher like him! He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity of spirit and his unconditional love of his family. Lynne affirms: “Rich’s smile was a delight, and his love truly a blessing to our lives.” He is survived by his beautiful and beloved wife of 65 years, Lynne; daughter Sherri, son Robby of Flagstaff, AZ, daughter Carolyn Jackson (Jay) of Santa Cruz, daughter-in-law Maria Corazon (Cora) Pitagora, grandchildren Anthony Pitagora, Jessica Soriano (Ron), Emily Jackson, Ollie Jackson, and great-grandchildren Ronin and Jordan Soriano, as well as many beloved loved nieces and nephews and their families. Son Matthew (deceased 2022) and grandson Gabriel (deceased 1998) were waiting to welcome him “home”. The family would like to extend sincere and unlimited gratitude to Dad’s friend and caregiver for more than two years Weini, to everyone at Kaiser Hospice, and in particular Nurse Nichole Jackson, and to the carers from Care Indeed, Inc. who so lovingly attended to Dad; particularly Hanna, Maria, and Estellita. Services will be private.