Eugene L. Colombini

Gene Colombini was born in Santa Rosa, California second son of Egidio and Emma Colombini and graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1954. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves and soon transferred into the Air Force to finish out his 4-year service to our country in 1957. Education and study were very important to Gene. He obtained several degrees, including an MBA. His degrees and certificates include construction management, civil engineering, architecture, and construction litigation.

Gene is survived by wife Hedy Colombini, his brother Richard Colombini, his sons; Stanley Colombini and wife Sue, Anthony Colombini and wife Tracy, Kenneth Colombini and wife Beth, his stepchildren Michael Jonopulos and wife Collette, Nicholas Jonopulos (predeceased) and wife Laurie, Tina Gonzales and husband Gil, Dan Mitchell and wife Stacie, and Juli Miller and husband Kevin. From these all, he leaves 24 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. Gene found great joy in his family. He loved holiday gatherings and visiting his extended family throughout the United States. He taught all his children the value of a strong work ethic, and the importance of play. Vacations, road trips and even simple Sunday drives were a great release from their lists of chores.

A highly regarded professional, Gene was deeply involved in the construction industry and was a board member of several professional organizations throughout his career. He was part of the construction team for a variety of significant projects throughout California, and in Las Vegas. These projects included whole communities, large scale high-rise buildings and multi-million-dollar residences. He was a pioneer in the critical path method of construction management which he learned in the service and brought to the construction industry. As you can tell his work was important to him, he continued to work until his passing at age 86.

Gene was a traveler who loved going to Mexico on fishing trips, vacationing in Hawaii and Europe. More recently, he found an appreciation for the far east and south Pacific. Just weeks before his passing he enjoyed a bucket-list vacation in Tahiti.

Engineering was his trade, architecture a passion, and later in life he expressed his creative side in the arts, drawing, painting, and writing. He was nearing the completion of his first novel about a man sailing the world alone on his boat with his dog. He always had a fascination with the sea and stories of sailing the world.

At home in Palm Desert in later years, Gene was active in his Catholic faith in his parish, Sacred Heart, where he brought communion to the sick at local hospitals, assisted at Masses, and had been accepted for training as a permanent deacon—well beyond the usual age cutoff. Gene passed away after a short illness in his home in Palm Desert, California with his wife Hedy by his side. The memorial service for Gene will be held at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific Park View Drive, Corona Del Mar, CA on Monday February 6, 2023, at 2:00pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Colombini family.