Angelina Giancola

Angelina Giancola passed away peacefully early Monday May 13, 2013 in her Campbell home with her loving husband and three of her grandchildren by her side. She was 84 years old. Angelina was the beloved "matriarch" of a large Italian family, which included her five sons who each presided over construction companies that influenced civil, commercial and residential development in the Bay Area for the last 40 years--something she was most proud of. Angelina was born November 19, 1928 on her family farm in Macchiagodena, Italy to parents Lucia Carile and Giovanni Ditri. Shortly after the culmination of World War II, she married Cosimo Giancola, then immigrated to America with her brother Donato to join their father who was already in the states. The journey from Italy ended in Capitola in 1948, where Angelina learned English and spent her California years working in farming and food service. She lived in New York, Littlerock, Calif. and Santa Clara before settling in Campbell in 1962 and working as the cook and manager of the Los Gatos High School food service until her retirement. Over the years, she traveled back and forth to her home land in Italy taking each of her children and grandchildren, one by one. Angelina was a devoted wife for more than 66 years, sacrificial mother and dedicated grandmother to dozens of children. She held "court" nearly every Sunday of her middle years serving a traditional Italian feast to her five grown sons and their children. The woman lived her life proud of her success in always being there for her family and teaching her greatest values of hard work, perseverance, saving, and dedication. She was known for her grace, sharp wit and sense of humor which stayed with her until the end. Angelina was preceded in death by her parents, brother Antonio Ditri, and dear son Michael. She is survived by her loving family including her husband Cosimo, brother Donato (Danny) Ditri and wife Lucy of Sunnyvale; sons John and wife Charlene of Gilroy, Frank of Morgan Hill, Tony and wife Dolores of Morgan Hill, Joseph and wife Sheila of Morgan Hill; 18 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren plus two due this year. Services will begin Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m. with a public viewing at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara prior to the recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. The funeral will be held Friday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Lucy Catholic Parish, 2350 Winchester Blvd., Campbell. The burial and a reception will follow.