George Tomasini

George
GEORGE TOMASINI, 1919-2005
Member 1946-2005
President 1962-1963

George Tomasini may have owned Petaluma's Cypress Hill Memorial Park for several decades, but it won't be there his ashes will lie for all eternity.

That honor goes to the Ukiah-area Cow Mountain Hunting Club, where Tomasini spent much of his life enjoying friends and wildlife, said his widow, Gloria Tomasini.

An avid hunter, mule trail rider, pilot and card player, Tomasini was a male-bonding pro, his wife of nearly 35 years said.

"He was a guy's guy - but he liked the girls, too," she said.

Tomasini died of a heart attack Monday in Petaluma, the town where he was born and raised. He was 85.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Tomasini was ushered into the business world at a young age, taking over the A.F. Tomasini Hardware Store upon his father's death while the younger Tomasini was about 20.

He ultimately owned and operated Tomasini Plumbing, Tomasini Travel Agency in Petaluma and Sonoma, Cypress Hill Memorial Park and the adjacent My Pets Cemetery.

In between, he fudged his way into the Navy - despite bad ears - to serve during World War II, spending his service in San Francisco before asthma that would plague him all his life forced him out, his wife said.

He later married his first wife, Audrey Tomasini, and had two boys.

He married Gloria after Audrey Tomasini's death.

An easygoing guy whose lifelong mission was to have a good time, Tomasini enjoyed traveling and cruises.

He retired in 2003.

A hint at his love for his own pets came when he decided to quit smoking upon learning that his hunting dog was allergic to smoke - even though family and friends had begged him to quit for years, Gloria Tomasini said.

He was passionate about hunting, belonging to both the Cow Mountain club and the rustic Flying B Elk Club in an isolated area of Idaho, his wife said.

He was a member for more than 60 years of the Sonoma County Trail Blazers, missing the first annual weeklong trip while still in the service but making every other trek for the next 60-plus years.

Tomasini also was a founding officer of the Petaluma Boys and Girls Club and was a member of the Petaluma Rotary Club and Petaluma Lodge No. 901 BPOE.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Tim Tomasini of Petaluma and Steve Tomasini of Sheep Camp, near Sonora; a sister, Dorothy Bottari of Petaluma; a stepdaughter, Dawn Westmoreland of Rohnert Park; two stepsons, Alan Westmoreland of Reno, Nev., and Larry Westmoreland of Elko, Nev.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Tomasini's life at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Petaluma Elks Lodge, 2105 S. McDowell Blvd.

Memorial contributions in Tomasini's honor may be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma 94952.

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