Deni John Pacini

Deni John Pacini, born March 4 1933, passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2014, at the age of 81. A lifelong resident of Kerman, Deni was the only child born to Italian immigrants Americo and Nella Pacini. He attended Vineland Elementary and Kerman High School where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball, but baseball was his passion. He had the opportunity to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals when he graduated, but out of respect for his mother and father he chose to help them run the family farm.

In 1955, Deni met the love of his life, Marjorie Fisher and they were married on November 10, 1956. They had two children Denell and Denis. He was a hardworking farmer who was very involved in the raisin industry serving on both the Raisin Advisory Committee and the Raisin Bargaining Association Board.

Deni played semi-professional fast pitch softball for many years and coached several youth baseball teams in Kerman. He also umpired high school and college baseball and was chosen to officiate at the College Regionals. Deni also served as an umpire for the Babe Ruth World Series for over fourteen years, but his most treasured baseball accomplishment was becoming a baseball scout.

On a summer afternoon in 1968, a driver made a wrong way turn off of the 99 freeway and ended up in Deni’s front yard in Kerman instead of Fresno where he was headed. The driver was a scout for the Pittsburg Pirates and during their conversation he told Deni that the Pirates were looking for a part-time scout in the Fresno area. As an umpire, Deni had the perfect vantage point to see the most talented players the valley had to offer. He scouted for the Pirates for six years and then became a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers both part-time and full-time over the next twenty-five years. In recent years, he scouted internationally for the Florida Marlins, Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and served as an ambassador for the Fresno Grizzlies. Deni was also an avid golfer and longtime member of Madera Country Club.

As much as Deni loved baseball it didn’t come close to the love and pride he had for his family. He will be lovingly missed by his wife of 57 years, Marjorie, his son Denis and his wife Terrie and his daughter Denell and her husband Greg. He was a wonderful nonno to Matthew (Maria) Pacini; Marcia (Michael) Quaresma; Mitchell (Adreanna) Pacini; Jordan (Sarah) Harris and Jessica (Mark) Thompson. He was the proud bisnonno of Jason, Nella and Vincent Quaresma; Blair, Jake, Nathan and Evan Pacini.

Recitation of the Rosary & Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Kerman on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 9:30 am. Interment will follow at St. Peters Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to The Karen E. Kister Memorial Fund, Community Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 1232, Fresno, California, 93715 or to the donor’s favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.