Richard Granzella Obituary

Richard Paul Granzella
April 3, 1932 - July 21, 2023
iHop (aka International House of Pancakes), as well as Happy Donuts' stock fell sharply on July 21st, 2023, following the news of the loss of their devoted customer Richard "Rick" Granzella. Senior Executives called emergency meetings to brace for the impact of the anticipated drop in sales.
At the remarkable age of 91, Rick would like to let you know his work here is done. He received the call, the sort of offer he couldn't refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends he has missed dearly and not seen in a very long time.
His new mission takes him to a wonderful place where he stands upright once again at 6', free of hearing aids, continues to socialize, beguiling others with his jokes, painting & sketching, takes beautiful photographs, imbibes in his "Nectar of the Gods" once again, travels, devours his countless stacks of iHop pancakes accompanied by a strawberry milkshake and dunks his old-fashioned donut in his coffee at Happy Donuts, catches up on reading his umpteen James Patterson novels, his daily S.F. Chronicle and the numerous e-mail jokes he receives daily. As a consummate, cynic/pessimist he can surely be found reading his most recent issue of Skeptic Magazine. He'll play his online Poker and watch "The Nerds" nightly (aka The Big Bang Theory) and Young Sheldon, which he's convinced is the actual actor Jim Parsons recorded at an earlier age, since it's his adult voice narrating the show (sorry to let the cat out of the bag Pops) but these are all things he's enjoying 'til his heart's content.
FUN FACT: Rick attended Sacred Heart High School in S.F., where he was taught by The Christian Brother Monks, yes…the same Christian Brothers who made the Brandy.
Rick had a passionate love affair with Gelato! He couldn't wait to get back to Italy as often as possible for this wonderous, frozen- delight. One year while in Italy with his daughter, he feebly attempted to impress her with his limited Italian by ordering his frozen pleasure in their native language, however all he received from the vendor was a puzzled look and the response "NO, NO…NO Pescare!" Apparently, what he was trying to order was a large Pesca, (as in Peach) but what he was actually ordering was a large Pescare (as in Fish)…oops!
Great pride was taken from 1951 - 1955 while he served in the U.S. Navy as a Radio Operator Dir. Chief in the Korean Conflict, aboard the U.S.S. Weiss. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (2 Stars), Good Conduct Medal and Purple Heart. Richard was proudly laid to rest with full military honors.
If you're trying to decipher if you knew Rick or not, this might help jog your memory…Rick was raised on the mean streets of San Francisco, where he claimed, "The men were men, and so were half of the women." He spoke fondly of his childhood friends stating, "Those who didn't end up in prison went on to become carnies, rodeo clowns or fabric-free entertainers." Rick was raised with four siblings, three of whom have predeceased him; Evelyn Geyer, Barbara Morley, and Attilio "Ronnie" Granzella, his surviving sister Louise Martin resides in Tucson, AZ. These siblings have provided the family with a number of loving nieces and nephews. At the tender young age of 14, Rick was introduced to his former wife Lillian Trevizo, whom he was set up with as her escort for a dance that her sister wanted to attend but was told she couldn't go to without a chaperone, hence his first formal date with Lillian. Rick and Lil dated for the next seven years before eventually marrying in 1953. The two went on to have three children, their favorite, eldest son David Granzella, of Granite Bay, CA, their favorite daughter Nicolette "Nici" Granzella of San Francisco, CA and favorite, youngest son Marc Granzella (Daughter-in-law Nancy), currently of Millbrae, CA. David eventually blessed Nono (as he preferred to be called) with his first grandchild Steven Granzella (granddaughter-in-law Jessica) of Citrus Heights, CA while Marc bestowed two additional grandchildren, Brandon Granzella (granddaughter-in-law Andrea and great-grandson Brody) of South San Francisco, CA along with (granddaughter Kaylie Granzella) also currently of Millbrae, CA. Rick & Lil remained married for nearly 32 years.
It wasn't long after completing their family of five, while motoring around in a two-tone, red & white, '55 Chevy and a black Jaguar, Mark II, 4-door sedan, when Rick thought that it would be a great idea to purchase a 1962 250 GTE Ferrari, 2+2 Coupe, Series II, (did we mention a 4-seater)…not counting the rear armrest, which was affectionately dubbed "The Hump" by the family, and instantly adapted as the 5th seat in order to accommodate the family of five. By the way, both aforementioned vehicles had to be sold and a small personal loan was obtained in order to acquire this foreign beauty for the whopping sum of $14,000.00. Yes, that's right…$14K, basically the same price as a new home back in the day. Soon after making this priceless purchase, the Granzella's joined the Ferrari Owner's Club of Northern California, of which they remained members 'til the time of his passing. The Ferrari Club is also where Rick happened to encounter an interesting character by the name of Ed Therrien whom he couldn't seem to shake for over 45+ years or so, no matter how hard he didn't try, and where he amassed many of his closest, life-time friends of over 50+ years, friends whom he considered family. Another club that accepted Rick into their fold was The SFIAC (The San Francisco Italian Athletic Club) where he managed to make several additional lifelong friends. Ricardo, as he was affectionately known, thought this connection would prove useful on his numerous trips to Italy while visiting immediate family whom he absolutely loved and adored in Lake Como/Pianello del Lario, some of whom are 100 years of age now. Those Granzella's appear to have some robust genes that keep them around well into their late nineties and early hundreds. Wonder if it has anything to do with the red wine or could it just be the garlic?
Although a native San Franciscan, Rick spent a brief two years in the late 60's, residing with his young family, in Fort Wayne, IN where he'd been transferred briefly by his employer during his lengthy career as a Financial Consultant. Upon returning to California he, and his wife Lil, purchased a home in The Eichler Highlands of San Mateo which they owned for precisely 46 years (to the day).
Rick eventually met and married Elaine Sacks, who he had the good fortune of traveling the world with, exploring distant lands such as Italy, Switzerland, Russia, London, France, Tahiti, Jamaica, Greece, and Mexico just to name a few of their exotic destinations, (and that was all in one week!) Following their return from these exotic locales they would frequently hold destination parties themed on their recent travels, held in the Community Party Room of the Condo where they resided in S.F. Rick lost his second love "Lanie" in April 2006, and in the subsequent years friends would occasionally try to set him up on dates, but he would immediately decline stating, "I've had the best, I'm not interested in the rest!"
No doubt, Rick will be flying his Red and Gold 49er colors, whom he faithfully followed and would either celebrate or commiserate their half-time and final scores with his son and fellow loyal fan Marc.
Rick's sense of humor remained fully intact to the bitter end, as from time-to-time he would tell people, "I'm not starting to lose my mind, half of it just wandered off and the other half went looking for it." His other standard retort when someone would ask how he was doing would be, "Well, I'm still vertical, I didn't smell flowers this morning when I woke up and I didn't see my name in the paper today…I think it's going to be a good day!" He would also routinely read the obituaries, frequently joking when he would read how someone was the 'President of this company' or the 'Director of another,' saying "What…couldn't they hold down a job?" That was our Pops through and through.
"You'll be missed dearly Dad…you already are! Until we meet again, we will hold you in our hearts until we can hold you again in Heaven."
Rick wouldn't want anyone spending their hard-earned money on flowers on his behalf but would be tickled to have people make a donation to St. Jude, (should they feel so inclined), an organization that each time he'd see one of their television commercials would remark, "If I didn't have kids, I'd leave it all to St. Jude!"