Catherine M. Baccari

Catherine Baccari passed away on August 7, 2012 from cancer. She was born on January 3, 1930 in Pont Canavese, Italy in the region of Piedmont. She and her family emigrated to New York in 1939 and two years later moved to San Francisco where she resided since 1941.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years Alessandro Baccari Jr, sons Gregory and Stephen; daughters-in-law Ana Maria and Barbara; grandchildren Anthony, Stephen, Christopher and Ana Maria; aunt Christine Giani and cousins: Carla, Anita and Paul Giani and Robert Giachino.

Catherine attended Marina Junior High School, Galileo High School and San Francisco College for Women at Lone Mountain.

In 1963, she helped establish with her husband Alessandro Baccari & Associates, a public relations, marketing and advertising company representing such clients as The California Floral Industry, Professional Photographers of California, the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Association, San Francisco Firefighters Union, San Francisco Police Officers Association and The Playboy Club. She also worked on numerous social-economic reports dealing with the economic profile of the San Francisco Bay Area. Amongst her creative projects, she co-produced the celebrated radio program,"Aaron Edwards and Friend" and the television program special, "Don Sherwood at the Opera". Her civic endeavors included playing an active role in establishing The Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, and in establishing twenty-one museums throughout the Bay Area to preserve the history of local geographical areas-the most celebrated being the North Beach Museum.

Catherine's greatest joy was spending time in sharing pleasures and laughter with family and friends and in traveling the globe with her husband and family.

Dedicated to the activities of the Salesian Order of Saint Don Bosco, Catherine held leadership roles on the committees for the 100th anniversaries of the Salesian Priests and Salesian Sisters in America.

She will always be remembered by family and friends for her compassion, kindness, forgiveness and charity.

Friends may visit, Friday, August 10th, 2012 from Noon-4:30pm at HALSTED N.GRAY-CAREW & ENGLISH, 1123 Sutter Street. A vigil service will be held at 7pm on Friday at Saints Peter and Paul Church at 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012 followed by interment at the Italian Cemetery, Colma.

Donations in memory of Catherine can be made to The Cancer Foundation, Saints Peter and Paul Church, The Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel or your favorite charity.