Ottavio Luchini

 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ottavio Luchini, who left this world peacefully at his home at the age of 99 on January 17, 2025. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to the East Sacramento community, Ottavio lived a life rich with resilience, love, and the embodiment of the American dream.

Born on May 18, 1925, in Massarosa (a small town in northern Tuscany, Italy), Ottavio grew up during the years following WWI and right into the Great Depression. In 1943 (at age 18), he was forced into Mussolini’s army but made a quick exit – only to be captured by the Germans and drafted into their navy in the Italian seaside town of Viareggio. He eventually escaped his captors, but after making his way back to Massarosa, he was once again captured in the summer of 1944 and whisked off to a work detention camp in southern Germany. He survived a brutal cold winter, but he and his fellow countrymen were set free at the European war’s end in May 1945.

He wisely saved up his daily ration of bread and rolled it up into his shirt sleeves, as this would be his only sustenance (that he had to share) for two weeks as he and three of his compatriots made their way back to Italy on foot. He arrived at Brenner Pass (the mountainous Alpine border between Austria and Italy) on May 18, 1945 – his 20th birthday. Two days later he arrived in Massarosa.

This captive experience and near starvation started Ottavio on a path of quietly giving and taking care of others – sharing whatever modest means he had to make someone’s day a little better. After he came to America in 1949 and started his Luchini Landscaping business in 1951 (with a meager $75), he always made sure to give back and “leave a little something for the next guy.” 

He met Elsa Mazzon in the summer of 1951, and they later married in September 1952 (celebrating 69 years together). Within several years, they moved to the East Sacramento neighborhood (relocating to different homes) until they built their dream home on O St. in 1965. This was the family residence (and international “Luchini Family Headquarters”) until both of their passings. It was here that the family of six celebrated life nightly around the dinner table – crazy sibling banter and antics, quirky stories and ancestorial lore, laughter, sadness, anger…and the proverbial inadvertent “knocking-over-the-wine-glass” by Ottavio’s animated hand gestures.

Over the years, the Luchini family grew four-generational: four kids, five grandkids and four great-grandkids (and counting…). Ottavio and Elsa often became secondary parents as they helped nurture, raise, and entertain most of the grandkids. They formed a unique bond with each succeeding generation. 

Ottavio was a dedicated hard worker (six to seven days a week for the first two decades of his growing business) – always wanting to provide for his family, his employees, and his community. By the early 1980s, he had grown his business to 40 employees but rarely spent in excess from the fruits of his success. He invested, saved, lived, and dressed modestly - recalling the ravages of war-torn countries and near starvation.

Yet – he quietly gave: to his family (both in Italy and America), those in need (familial or strangers), but most of all through his hospitality. You could not come into Ottavio and Elsa’s home without having a glass of wine, breaking bread, or sharing an amazing Elsa-cooked meal. Even salespeople who came calling to the house (trying to force him to spend unnecessary money) were treated to wine and authentic Italian cuisine. The Luchini house was everyone’s home. Sadly, Elsa passed away in April 2020.

As the years passed, Ottavio finally made time to enjoy life: fishing, hunting, golfing, skiing, playing cards at the Dante Club, traveling, and taking Mediterranean cruises with Elsa. He spent winters and summers at Lake Tahoe on his boat, in his trailer and on the ski slopes with his kids and grandkids. In later years, he became a fixture at the East Portal Park bocce ball courts where he played and coached younger players in the fine sport of Italian “lawn bowling” (up until his 99th birthday). One of his teams won a national championship.

Ottavio was known around the community, in many local restaurants, and the neighborly streets of East Sacramento. He always had the requisite pipe (“la pipa”) or Toscano cigar billowing smoke wherever he went, carrying a bottle of red wine in his pack (for golfing, skiing, bocce – or whoever he might run into that would like to share a little wine and conversation!). He was recently deemed such a good driver, DMV renewed his license on his 99th birthday so he could still cruise M St. five times a day waving at friends and neighbors and keeping an eye out for the ladies!

He was a member of the Dante Club for over 72 years (the longest tenure), as well as many other organizations such as Piemonte Reale, Romulus Club, Lion’s Club and the Italian Golf Club. 

Ottavio and Elsa lived life simply with a very humble disposition. They instilled in their children not to be flashy, impolite, or boastful – always make the sacrifice if it will keep the peace. They preferred a casual meal and bantering conversation over the pretense of a formal dinner. Ottavio had quaint little life sayings that he would casually speak in his melodic Italian accent: 

• “I am one (gardening) blower richer. If I have two and they have none, I give them one.”
• “Don’t judge a person by what you see out your window. Wait until they have eaten at your dinner table.”

So many more that were either philosophical, whimsical, or quirky – we never tired of hearing them for the 100th time…

Ottavio will be missed by the hundreds of people he encountered through his 10 decades of life. He leaves his greatest legacy – his family – as forever better people for experiencing his quirky actions, modesty, Italian hospitality, and humble friendliness:

• Children: Romano (Cris), Tina (Bob), Erico (Suzan), Lisa (Frank)
• Grandchildren: Eric (Bekki), Zachary (Annie), Kyle, Ryan (Wendy), Jazzy
• Great-grandchildren: Ethan, Charlotte, Brinley, Blakely
  
  

The Luchini family would like to thank the amazing team of in-home caregivers that shared Ottavio’s life in the past 12 months: Maria, Janis and especially Moana and her family who brought amazing care and laughter into the household. All three fell in love with his quiet charm and became instant family members.

We would also like to thank Mercy Hospice – especially Stephanie and Betty (nurses) and Kristina (social worker) for their care and support.

A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 5-7pm at W.F. Gormely & Sons Funeral Home (2015 Capitol Ave.).

A very special service for both Ottavio and Elsa will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

Elsa passed away April 21, 2020, during the COVID shutdown and – sadly - was never given a proper farewell.

• A joint funeral will be held at 11am at St. Mary’s Church (1333 58th St.).
• A joint Celebration of Life will be held from 12-3pm at The Dante Club (2330 Fair Oaks Blvd.). Funny stories and heart-felt reminisces are encouraged.
   

In lieu of flowers, the Luchini family requests that donations be made to one of two local charities in Ottavio and Elsa’s honor, reflecting their lifelong commitment to helping others:

• East Sacramento Preservation – eastsacpreservation.org
• Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Sacramento - donate.lovetotherescue.org

Salute!!! Ti vogliamo bene.

(Cheers! We love you.)