Marino Giannini

Marino Achille Giannini passed away on August 15, 2018 in Modesto at the age of 94.  Marino was born in Tuscany, Italy on March 18, 1924.  At the age of 14, he started working as a machinist apprentice in Lucca, Italy, a 45 minute bike ride away.  In 1942, he was drafted into the Italian navy, where he served as a mechanic and a cook on a destroyer in WWII.  When the war ended, he returned home to work as a machinist.  In 1946, he met Lena Santini, who was on vacation in Italy with her family.  Marino and Lena were married in Tuscany in a double ceremony with Lena’s sister, Edith and Edith’s husband, Renato. 

In 1947, Marino immigrated to the United States to start his new life with Lena in Escalon and found a job as a mechanic.  After learning some English, he found work as a machinist with several machine shops around Modesto.  In 1950, Marino and Lena bought their first orchard and soon Marino found his passion for farming, which became his full-time occupation.  Over the years, he and Lena built a successful farming business growing apricots, grapes, peaches, walnuts and almonds.

Marino’s greatest joy was spending time with his extended family.  Favorite activities included gardening, hunting, fishing, playing cards, trips to the beach or mountains, or just enjoying a game of horseshoes at a family barbecue.  Marino will always be remembered as a man who valued hard work and family and who was proud of his Italian heritage, proud of his farming business and very proud of his children and grandchildren.  He will be dearly missed.

Marino is survived by his children, Gina McKinney (Bill) of Modesto, Mike Giannini (Lisa) of Hickman, Deanna Mangin (Jim) of San Ramon, Mark Giannini (Mary Kay) of Modesto, 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his wife Lena and his siblings, Ubaldo, Anna and Gina.

Deegan Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Giannini family.  A funeral mass is to be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ripon on Wednesday, August 22 at 11 AM.  The family would like to thank their dad’s compassionate caregivers.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marino’s memory to Community Hospice.