Former Resident of Oakland Bay Area Ernest "Ernie" Ivaldi died from cancer peacefully at his home in El Dorado Hills on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at the age of 84. Born January 18, 1926, in San Lorenzo, California, Ernie grew up on Lincoln Avenue in the Oakland Hills with his Italian immigrant parents, Emilio Giovanni Antonio and Pasqualina Ivaldi; as well as his two brothers Andrew "Andy" Ivaldi and Francesco "Frank" Ivaldi. He attended Sequoia Grammar School, Bret Harte Junior High and Oakland High Schools, where he enjoyed playing sports such as soccer, baseball and bowling.
Ernie was a true child of the Great Depression.He always found creative ways to make an extra dollar to help his family. Starting at age 12, he delivered newspapers with his pony on Oakland Tribune's longest paper route. As a teenager, he also cared for horses on the Walker Ranch, worked for Gordon Hooper Chocolates and Bolla Brothers Market in Oakland. Ernie left school in the 10th grade to help with the family janitorial business cleaning movie theaters and also drove dump trucks for his brother Frank.
In 1944, at the age of 18, Ernie was drafted into the service during World War II where he spent two years as a U.S. Navy Signalman on MV Cape Fargo. He was one of the top Signalmen in his division and graciously sent his earnings back home to support his parents.
When he returned from the war, Ernie went back to helping with the family janitorial service and also played for and managed the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3811 semi-pro baseball team for seven years. In 1946, Ernie and his brother, Frank, took over the East Bay Excavating Company doing small concrete jobs in the Bay Area. It was this profession, where they began with a pick and shovel, which would become the foundation for Ernie's future business success. Over the next 23 years, their business ventures expanded to include operation of the Bay O Vista Quarry, the Hillary Quarry (which they later owned), the Zeigler Quarry and the La Vista Quarry Group. During this time, they also founded the Ivaldi Brothers Asphalt Company where they specialized in excavating, paving and construction. Ernie and Frank completed many well-known projects throughout the East Bay including the Kaiser Center, widening of Nimitz Freeway, the Western Electric Company, the former Chrysler Building, mass excavation of the Bay-O-Vista tract, the San Leandro Memorial Hospital, Hayward Airport improvements and off-ramps to the Oakland Coliseum. During this time, Ernie was also a member of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and served as Chairman of the Industrial Commission. In 1970, Ernie purchased Hayward Datsun and operated the dealership for 10 years.During that time, he supported Redwood Christian School for five years donating a car for the "Driver's Training Program" and also contributed generously to his community and many local businesses and athletic programs including the Oakland Raiders (brother Frank was a limited partner) and the Oakland A's. He was also a life member and served as an Honorary Board Member of the 100 Club of Alameda, and received The Distinguished Service Award in Leadership in recognition for his exceptional leadership and devoted service to local police and firemen.
Ernie was an avid golfer and became quite good at the sport. Over the course of his life, he participated and won numerous tournaments. In 1982, he won the infamous Bob Hope Classic in Palm Desert, California as an amateur. He played in the Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational for many years and finally won in 1988. Ernie also played in the Hawaii Open several times and in numerous casino golf tournaments in Reno, Nevada. He was a member of the Western Italian Golf Association; Indian Wells in Palm Desert; Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton; and Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills. He loved to shake dice after each Wednesday golf day with his buddies at Castlewood and finally achieved his "hole-in-one" on the seventh hole at Serrano Country Club on July 30, 2004.
Ernie was also known for his love of boating and captained several vessels during his lifetime, most notably his custom built 67' Stephens motor yacht, aptly named the "Que Sera Sera III." He spent many of his weekends and holidays with family and friends at the Delta Yacht Club and also owned and developed a marina in downtown Stockton along the waterfront. In 1998, Ernie moved to El Dorado Hills, California to enjoy retired life including golf, casino gambling, playing piano and his accordion, and spending time with family and friends. Throughout the years, Ernie's accomplishments were many and he was an inspiration to all. He spent much of his life dedicated to the community through his work and generosity to those in need, much of which will remain unidentified because of his modesty and humble manner. He was respected for his acute business sense and also known for his flair and passion for life, theatrical storytelling, stylish dress and love for family.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces, as well as friends and business associates. Ernie is survived by his loving wife Sybil Ann Ivaldi; and his three children from a previous marriage with Wanda Ivaldi: daughter Debbie Ivaldi-Pitcher and her husband Mark; son E. J. Ivaldi and his wife Teri; and daughter Darla (Ivaldi) Gale and her husband Jeff. Ernie has two step-sons, Danny Richardson and Ronnie Bruland, and one step-daughter, Phyllis Ann Richardson. Ernie also was blessed with nine grandchildren: Emilio, Eli, Michelle, Emily, Olivia, Jordon, Briggs, Cassidy and Isla. His parents, Emilio Giovanni Antonio and Pasqualina Ivaldi, as well as his brothers, Andy Ivaldi and Frank Ivaldi, preceded him in death.
The family invites relatives and friends to a "Celebration of Life" gathering on Monday, February 8th at 11:00am, at Serrano Country Club, 5005 Serrano Parkway, El Dorado Hills, California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Martin C. Kauffman 100 Club of Alameda, 781 McKean Place, Concord, 94518-2835, 100clubalamedacounty.org.
