September 8, 1926 – August 15, 2023
As the sun was rising over his vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley, Ed Seghesio died peacefully on August 15, 2023. He was born September 8, 1926 to Arthur and Irene Seghesio. He spent a happy childhood with his older brother Ray at the Home Ranch in Cloverdale. He learned to speak Italian from the family matriarch, Angela; he learned wine making and farming from his father; and he developed a love of growing flowers and cooking delicious Italian food from his mother.
When Ed was twelve, he began working in the family vineyards, thus beginning his life’s work of growing quality grapes to make fine wine. Ed was still working in the tasting room welcoming folks to the winery until he was 93, when the pandemic forced him to “retire”.
He attended grades 1-8 at Washington School, a one room schoolhouse in Asti. Adopting a strong work ethic, he helped his respected teacher, Mrs. Scherrer, daily by sweeping the school room floors and erasing the blackboards for $1.50 per month. It was at Washington School where he first met Fay Pellegrini. He said of her that “she was so smart that the teacher would send her home early”.
At Cloverdale High School, Ed was Student Body President. He excelled in sports, especially baseball. After high school, Ed served in the US Army in Italy. WWII had ended and he aided in the munitions clean-up. Upon returning home, he played baseball for the Odd Fellows and the Healdsburg Prune Packers. He said he always batted fourth and always had a batting average over 350. He remained a Prune Packer fan, throwing out the first pitch at the age of 95 in 2022.
In June of 1949, he married Fay Pellegrini. The Seghesio family had recently purchased a second winery site in Healdsburg where Ed and Fay began their lives together. They remodeled the antiquated farm house and welcomed their five children to this home. Ed was the head winemaker at Seghesio Winery, a family owned and operated business since 1902, for the next 30 years until he was able to hand the responsibility over to his son, Ted.
Ed was a Rotarian, served on the Healdsburg Fair Board while his children were in 4-H, was president of the Wine Growers Association, and did a stint on the Sonoma County Grand Jury. He was a member of the Healdsburg
Lighting Committee. They raised funds and brought lights to Rec Park that now illuminate Packers games, local sporting events and the fair. Throughout his life Ed had many good friends. Memories of Buck’s Lake fishing trips, multi-family campouts and Friday nights with the Mortadella Gang were very special to him.
In the late 70’s, the Seghesio Family began putting their own label on the wine they produced. Besides still working in the vineyards and winery, Ed was very proud to promote the wine during sales trips and events. He served wine buyers, grape growers and industry leaders employing his exceptional cooking skills at his family table.
From 1994 to 2019, Ed was married to Donna Colli. They enjoyed dining out, entertaining and traveling together.
Ed was an amazing husband and father and was cherished by his children Julie Neumiller (Jim), Ted Seghesio (Dana), Suzanne Gunnink (Jim), Sally Wilson (Rex). He was predeceased by his first wife, Fay, and youngest son, David. He was a much loved “Papa” to fourteen grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
For most of Ed’s life he had a loyal Labrador Retriever by his side. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Canine Companions for Independence or the Sonoma County Humane Society. The Family would also like to thank his kind, competent caregivers from Sutter Care at Home – Santa Rosa Hospice.
A rosary vigil was held at St. John’s Catholic Church on Sept 7th, with the Funeral mass and service on September 8th. Funeral arrangements were handled by Fred Young Funeral Home.
