Gertrude F. Gernazio

Gertrude Gernazio, loving wife, mother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2019.  She was 98 years old.
Gertrude was born in the coal camp of Berwind, Colorado in 1921 where she experienced a simple and happy life with her parents, 6 brothers and cousins.  Her family moved to Trinidad, Colorado in her younger years.  She finished school there and worked as a bookkeeper. The family moved between Colorado and California a couple of times  before settling permanently in California in the 40’s.

Gertrude always spoke of her Father as someone who valued and encouraged she and her brothers to stay together  They bought Torino Bakery in the 40’s. They were first based in the Los Angeles area near Union Station and later moved the business to Lynwood where they remained until their retirement in the 70’s.  

In 1946, Gertrude married John Gernazio who became a partner in the business.  They settled in South Gate where they raised their 3 children.  Besides caring for a family with fantastic made from scratch meals, Gertrude attended to the bookkeeping needs of the business.  She was even known to help bake the bread, carrying the 100 pound sacks of flour to the mixer.  Upon retirement, she and her husband John moved to Huntington Beach.

In retirement, Gertrude pursued oil painting and became an accomplished painter.  She and her family have enjoyed her works, large and small, landscapes, foliage, people and animals.  She took up bowling and has many trophies and plaques that speak of her accomplishments.  Gertrude also enjoyed gardening and especially had a green thumb for growing orchids.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband John Gernazio, her parents, Onofrio and Lilly Galasso, her brothers and sister-in-laws Carl and Josephine Galasso, Sam and Sarah Galasso, Joe and Angelina Galasso, Frank and Margaret Galasso and Bernard and Lena Galasso,her in-laws Carl and Rose Gernazio and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Lillian and Rudy Icabone, Victoria Arrigo, Michael and Edith Gernazio, Joe and Margie Gernazio, Lucille and Jack Dionisio and several nieces, nephews and great nicese and nephews.
Gertrude is survived by her children Rosalie (Harold) Davis, Barbara (Bill) Carey and Carl Gernazio as well as her brother John (Millie) Galasso and many nieces and nephews.

The celebration of her life will begin with a visitation/vigil March 12, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Heritage Memorial Services, 17712 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, California and funeral services will commence on March 13, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church 20444 Magnolia St. Huntington Beach,followed by internment at Good Shepherd Cemetery, 8301 Talbert Ave. Huntington Beach.  A reception honoring Gertrude will follow at Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant at 7979 Center Ave., Huntington Beach.  In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor and remember Gertrude, please make a donation in her name to the charity of your choice.

 

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