John Ginno

John William Ginno, a long time Chico resident, passed away at the age of 88 at Enloe Hospital on Thursday, May 6, 2010, of natural causes. John was born in Woolwich, England on July 6, 1921 and moved to California with his parents, George and Ethel Ginno, and elder sister, Peggy in 1924. He grew up in Burlingame and was attending the University of Southern California on a tennis scholarship when he was drafted. John served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight navigator during World War II. Stationed at Bury St. Edmunds, England, and at the end of the war in Berlin, John was a decorated combat veteran and survived being shot down twice in B-17 bomber missions. Returning to the Bay Area after the war, John began working at Westinghouse in San Francisco where he met, wooed, and married Claudia Bertini. They were married on April 18, 1948. After serving stateside in Oklahoma during the Korean conflict, they moved back to California where John became a sales representative for Westinghouse. During his frequent sales trips throughout Northern California, John discovered Chico, and with his wife, Claudia and two sons, Douglas and David, moved there in 1953. John worked with Red Forberg at his appliance store, and he and Claudia subsequently bought the business, renaming it Ginno's Appliance. In 1981, they built a new building and moved from their downtown Main Street store (where the basement routinely flooded) to the store's current location on the Skyway. John was infamous for being a great sales person, but not such an accomplished appliance user; he could sell anyone a VCR, but could not program it! In 1986, they sold the business to their sons, David and Gordon. John retired that same year to devote himself to his favorite leisurely pursuits of painting, golfing, and fishing. Both John and Claudia were active in local business and civic organizations and were recognized for their dedication and generosity. John volunteered at the Chico Museum and was a lifetime member of the Chico Elks Lodge, as well as a member of Kiwanis International and the Lion's Club. Until his health declined, John enjoyed playing tennis and golf, as well as hunting and fishing. Both he and Claudia were also avid 49'er fans. In addition to his love of outdoor activities, John will also be remembered as a gifted artist, a collector of and expert in Native American baskets, a jovial host, and for his love of music and dancing. John is survived by his five sons and their wives and companion, Douglas and Leslie, David and Kate, Gordon and Mary, Robert and Janet, William and Joni, and daughter, Elizabeth; 10 grandchildren, (Carolyn, Paul, Alex, Dana, Alison, Cru, Bryan, Lindsey, Kaylem, Jessica Ginno, Emily Ardrey, Olivia and Nick Camusi, and Ryan, Jennafer, and Jessica Linton); and six great-grandchildren, (Elias, Bradley, Kalina, Brandon, Chet, and Landon). John was predeceased by his beloved wife, Claudia in 2005, and his elder sister, Peggy Gemignani in 1993. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at the Brusie Funeral Home at 626 Broadway in Chico, 530-342-5642, www.brusiefh.com. A suggested place to donate in his memory is the Disabled Veterans of America http://www.dav.org/.