DELCHINI

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 04:28:26 :

Independent Journal
Monday, October 20, 1980

JOSEPH M. DELCHINI

A prayer service for Joseph M. Delchini of Kentfield, a Marin resident since 1921 and the oldest volunteer member of the Kentfield fire department, will be held at 8 tonight at the Chapel of the Hills mortuary in San Anselmo.

Delchini died Friday at a local hospital following a lengthy illness. He was 81.

Delchini was born in Italy and moved to this country and to Kentfield in 1921. He worked as a gardener for the Marin Community College, now College of Marin, for many years.

After World War II he went to work at the Louise M. Boyd estate and continued working there after it became the property of the Elks Club.

He retired only six months ago.

He was married to Kathryn Delchini. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January of this year.

He was a member of the Sons of Italy, the Marin Rod and Gun Club, a charter member of Club Italia and an honorary exalted ruler of San Rafael Lodge No. 1108 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

He also was a member of the Kentfield Volunteer Fire Department and was its oldest member.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Paul Delchini of Novato and Mario Delchini of Petaluma; three brothers and two sisters in Italy; and four grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, San Rafael. Visitation will be today from 7 to 9 p.m.

The family prefers memorial donations to Hospice of Marin or the American Cancer Society.