Mr. Albert Carl Nocciolo

NOCCIOLO, Albert Carl September 23, 1926 – March 2, 2013 Al passed away peacefully on March 2, 2013, in Santa Barbara, CA, surrounded by his loving family; he was 86. The cause of death was kidney failure, though he lived a long and active life with congestive heart failure, inspiring us with his optimism and a vitality that shined brightly to the end. He lived and worked in Santa Clarita, CA for 51 years, moving to the Maravilla Retirement Community in Santa Barbara, CA, in 2009 to be near family. Al earned a B.A. from the University of Nevada, and a M.A. from Columbia University in New York. He was an educational icon and active community servant in what was then known as Saugus, CA, later renamed Santa Clarita. Al was the educational and curricular visionary for the Saugus Union School District, where he was employed for 51 years as an instructional aide, teacher, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and School Board Member. Al never tired of inspiring students to learn and celebrating their achievements. He took great pride in preparing them to succeed, both in the classroom and in life. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn, and their five children, Albert (Linda) of Mariposa, CA, Rosanne Spencer (Gordon) of Saratoga, CA, Valarie Kahoun (Ken) of Scottsdale, AZ, Mark (Stacey) of Santa Barbara, CA, and Teresa Calderon (Steve) of Thousand Oaks, CA; two sisters, Faye Serino and Philomena McLeod, both of New Jersey; 11 grandchildren: Noël Nocciolo, Andrew Spencer, Philip Spencer, Natalie Spencer, Mathew Spencer, Brittney Finnegan (Patrick), Erin Spong (Nicholas), Katie Kahoun, Tessa Kahoun, Corinne Calderon, Chase Calderon; and 5 great-grandchildren: Mackenna Kaats, Hudson Steinbrunner, Miles Steinbrunner, Gracelyn Spong, and Valentina Spong, and many nieces and nephews. Al was born in Newark, N.J., to Italian immigrant parents, Gerardo and Rosina Nocciolo. He was predeceased by his parents and his four brothers, Rocco, Gerardo, Anthony, and Ernest. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the doctors who counseled dad and worked to improve his quality of life. Their support and guidance sustained his optimism and fueled his desire and ability to live each day to the fullest. These doctors gave our family the precious gift of additional years with dad while he was under their care. Dr. Erno Daniel, Dr. Joseph Aragon, Dr. Claudio Bonometti, Dr. John Elder, Dr. Hsien Young, and Dr. Kevin Young. A “Celebration of Life” will be held for friends and family on Sunday, March 24, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (Fleischmann Auditorium), 2559 Puesta del Sol, in Santa Barbara, CA. For more information, please visit http://memorial.yourtribute.com/alnocciolo

Mr. Albert Carl Nocciolo

September 23, 1926 - March 2, 2013