Emilio Giori

Emilio was born on July 9, 1921 in Korbel, the first son of Luigi and Alessandrina Giori. Emilio grew up in the Korbel and Blue Lake area, always hunting and fishing along the logging railroad lines his father built. He was a proud graduated of Arcata High School in 1940. Immediately after high school Pearl Harbor was attacked, and Emilio enlisted in the 6 Marine Division, serving as a forward artillery observer with a scout sergeant ranking. Emilio served his country for four years in the Pacific Theater on many islands, including Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Midway, Okinawa and Shanghai China. When he returned to Arcata he married the love of his life, Rena Orlandi, a marriage that lasted sixty-two years, and raised three children, Vickie, Debbie and Wayne. Emilio started in the dry cleaning business with his good friend Roy Ghera, eventually taking ownership of College Cleaners in Northtown Arcata and then purchasing Deluxe Cleaners where he worked for over thirty years in the dry cleaning business. He also was a proud member of the Northtown Arcata Kiwanis Club for many years.

From an early age he enjoyed the great outdoors fishing, hunting, picking mushrooms and especially story-telling with friends and strangers alike. Emilio and his family had the pleasure to travel many times to Europe to visit relatives in Italy, as well as travel all over Europe, China, Mexico and Canada. He especially enjoyed fishing in Alaska with his dear friend Ray Granvall. Many of his most cherished memories were made camping with his cousins the Champi's and at the Willow Creek summer home, surrounded by family and friends with food, drink, and laughter. He especially enjoyed swimming in the pool and teaching his grandchildren to swim. When you combine these memories with his love to tell stories and reflect on the politics and local happenings of the moment, you'll realize that the evening gathering was never dull.

Emilio was preceded in death by his parents Luigi and Alessandria, in-laws Marino and Emilia Orlandi, brother Gino, daughter Vickie, brother in law Reno Orlandi and dear cousins Angelo and Doreen Champi.

Emilio is survived by his beloved wife, Rena, daughter Debbie Johnson (Jerry), son Wayne Giori (Gina), sister in law June Orlandi and god daughters Jackie Granvall, Judy Satterlee and Charlene Lulling. Emilio was a loving grandfather to Ashley (Virginia) and Jarred Johnson (Shehlee), Stephanie and Kristi Giori, his great grandchildren, Alexis and Knox Johnson and several nieces and his special cousin Lena Kovacovich.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice, any animal rescue/shelter or Catholic Church of your choice in memory of Emilio.

Public viewing will be held on Wednesday August 8th at Pauls Chapel, 1070 H Street, Arcata from 4-7 pm with a Rosary following at 7 pm. Church services will be held on Thursday August 9th at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, 1690 Janes Road, Arcata at noon.

Pallbearers are Kory Starkey, Jarred Johnson, Mitch Champi, Mike Carroll, Richard Villegas and Alan Anderson. Honorary pallbearers are Ray Granvall, Mac Hanks, Chuck Shumacker, David Santos and Bruno Champi.

Military burial services will follow at Oceanview Cemetery, 3975 Broadway in Eureka. A reception in memory of Emilio will be held at Baywood Golf and Country Club on Buttermilk Lane in Arcata.

Arrangements are under the direction of Paul’s Chapel, 1070 H Street, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-2445. Please visit our website at www.paulschapel.com.