George Elmer Segale was born on January 15, 1925 in Angels Camp and raised there. He died on April 13, 2014 peacefully in his Christian faith at his home in Valley Springs after battling asbestos-related mesothelioma lung cancer. He was 89 years old.
George was an active member of St. Joachim's Catholic Church in Lockeford. Growing up, George attended Angels Camp Grammar School (Class of 1938) and graduated from Bret Harte High School in 1942.
During WWII, George was a chipper and welder building steel boats in Stockton. He then attended and graduated from UOP in Stockton in 1948 on a baseball scholarship he received.
He spent 34 years at Galt Elementary School beginning in 1949, both as a teacher and principal until he retired in 1983.
During those same years George worked summers and some evenings at Delta Rubber Company in Stockton.
In the early 60's George and his longtime friend, the late John Giannoni, owned and operated George's Fluffy Donut Shop on Lodi Avenue in Lodi.
For over 40 years George could also be found running up and down the football fields, basketball courts and baseball fields officiating in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
George was an avid family man, a lifelong Stanford football fan, an Oakland A's fan, all around sports fan, hunter, fisherman, dancer and as a gardener, he loved growing his tomatoes, onions and peppers.
People near and far loved his Segale's Wax Peppers! He was an all around great guy...a one of a kind!
Some of the many clubs he belonged to in his long life were: Woodbridge/Lodi Elks Club and was a Past Exalted Ruler; Native Sons of the Golden West Chispa Parlor #139; Sonora Elks Club; Angels Gun Club; La Contenta Golf Club; Murphys Ale & Quail Club; International Order of Odd Fellows in Lodi; Alumni Association UOP; Life member of Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) of Galt; Moose Club in Lodi; SIRS of Jackson; and the Figli d' Italia Club of Sonora.
Segale Brothers Christmas Tree lot (Stockton) was a big part of George's life and Christmas season as he and his cousin, Wayne Segale carried on the legacy of their father's Christmas tree business that started in 1937.
About 10 years ago George retired and sold his ownership but still continued to deliver Christmas trees to lifelong friends, businesses and churches.
Another special memory for many was George being the Easter Bunny for over 20 years at Elkhorn Golf and Country Club in Stockton at their annual Easter brunch.
George is survived by his wife of 36 years, Irene, and his children Monie Segale of Angels Camp, Tony (Danine) Segale of Lodi, Cindy (Greg) Shinkwin of Modesto, Frank (Barbara) Segale of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and his step-daughter Debbie Gregg of Lodi.
He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren and their children, one niece Susan (Harry) Houdeshell and great-nieces Katie Bish and Michelle Mincer of Pennsylvania and numerous cousins.
In addition to the above, George also became "Grandpa George" to all his dear friends that were there for him along his life's journey...there are too many to mention.
He was preceded in death by his parents George (Buck) and Rafelita (Rip) Segale and his brother Charles Segale.
A rosary will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 7 PM at Angels Memorial Chapel in Angels Camp and a Funeral Mass to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 11 AM at St. Joachim's Catholic Church at 13392 Lockeford Ranch Drive in Lockeford.
Donations in his name can be sent to St Joachim's Catholic Church at 13392 Lockeford Ranch Drive in Lockeford 95237 or to Hospice of Amador and Calaveras, 1500 California 49 in Jackson 95642.
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