Antoinette Giacalone

Antoinette was born in San Francisco on 9/22/1922 to Francisco and Mary Alioto. She was one of 12 children. In 1936, the family moved to San Diego in search of better commercial fishing conditions.

Antoinette attended SDHS and would have graduated in the class of 1939, however she left during her senior year to help support her large family. Antoinette worked in the tuna canneries until their eventual closing in the early 80’s.

In her late teens, she met the love of her life Tony Giacalone. They dated (chaperoned of course) for two years and were engaged for one year before marrying on January 9, 1944. Tony passed away in 2007. They were married for 63 years.

As a young girl in San Francisco she excelled in swimming and competed in many events regardless of the cold San Francisco waters! She was a great cook, famous for her delicious Italian cookies, pies and homemade ravioli. However, Antoinette’s all-time passion was her San Diego Padres. She never missed watching or listening to a game including spring training. Her other passion was playing bingo. For many years Antoinette organized bingo bus trips to Las Vegas or Laughlin. She also played bingo at local churches twice a week for many years up until the closures due to the Covid pandemic.

Antoinette passed away at the age of 100 still mentally sharp. She is survived by her loving sister Mae Geren, 95, three children, Vincent Giacalone (Barbara), Kathleen Payne (Andrew) and MaryAnn Wentworth (Robert), four grandchildren, Steven Massa, Anthony Giacalone, Melinda Giacalone, and Vivian Payne, and five great grand-children, Vincent Bustamante, Ashton Bustamante, Hadassah Giacalone, Haley Reahr and Lucas Payne and her numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

It’s going to take some time for her family to adjust to life without mom, but her memories will last them a lifetime.

Services at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of the Rosary, 1668 State Street, SD 92101.

Internment at Holy Cross Mausoleum, 4470 Hilltop Drive, SD 92102

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, The American Heart Association, or the San Diego Maritime Museum.

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