Archie Nicholas Piacentini

Archie Nicholas Piacentini Born May 1, 1932 and passed away on Sunday April 12, 2015 Archie was born in Sacramento CA, spending his childhood with his 9 brothers and sisters, Eda, Olga, Edna, Aurelia, Nick, Mae, Lucietta, Joanne and Patrick. When Archie turned 17 he joined the United States Air Force, as a Radio Operator he was flying all over the world and later was stationed in a base in Greenland. After serving in the military he traveled to Europe and, while lost in Paris, met his wife Colette Guerin . Colette and Archie married, lived for a few years in Sacramento, then traveled to New York in their Triumph TR4 before sailing on the Queen Mary back to France. Upon their return to the US in 1962, they decided to settle in Santa Barbara, then a quiet little city they had discovered on one of their weekend road trips down the California coast. Archie enrolled in UCSB, graduated and received his teaching credential. He immediately started working at the Santa Barbara Junior High School, then at the Santa Barbara High School, teaching French until he retired in 1996 (“Mr. Piach”). Archie and Colette settled on Samarkand Drive in Santa Barbara, where they raised their 8 children, Philippe (Suzan), Christine, Theresa (David), Paul (Victoria), Ian (Holly), Marina (Richard), Evan (Kathryn) and Erick (Jenn). Their home was, and still is, the center of family gatherings and wonderful Sunday dinners. Since his retirement, Archie has enjoyed his time with his family and dear friends, writing short stories, finding treasures at back yard sales or swap meets, walking with the dogs (he considered family members), enjoying good food and old movies and taking occasional trips to Sacramento and Oregon. His friends and family will remember him because of the many stories he told, his adventurous and sometimes rebellious side, his generosity and his warmth in making everyone welcome to his home. He is survived by his wife and children with the exception of Christine who passed away in 2003, she had a very special place in his heart as a child born with severe disabilities. He is also survived by his grandchildren Adrianne, Isabelle, Rabia, Gabrielle, Brandon, Erin, Ema, Alexis, Nathan, Kyler, Elias and Macy and 2 great grandchildren Sophie and Hayden. Aria, a new grand child, is expected in August. Just as important are Archie’s many nieces and nephews, their spouses, children and grand children from Sacramento who will also have vivid memories of one of their favorite uncles. He inspired many to take chances, travel and live some adventure. Everyone will miss him very much. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on Sola street, on Friday April 17, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Donations (in lieu of flowers) could be addressed to the Hinchee Homes, 825 N. Kellogg Avenue, Santa Barbara CA 93111

Archie Nicholas Piacentini

May 1, 1932 - April 12, 2015