Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Grand Lodge of California

TO: STATE OFFICERS, PAST STATE PRESIDENTS, LODGE PRESIDENTS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
FROM: LORI ROSSI
STATE RECORDING SECRETARY

I am deeply saddened to inform you of the death of Past State President Arturo Ibleto. Brother Arturo passed away at the age of 94, on Tuesday, November 24, at his home in Cotati and was surrounded by his family and friends. He had recently been hospitalized.

Arturo was born on October 2, 1926 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and grew up in the Liguria region in the northwestern part of Italy. He was 22 years old when he immigrated to America and found work on the Ghirardelli Brothers vegetable ranch in Petaluma. He married Victoria Ghirardelli in 1951.

Together, they established Bella Sonoma Vineyards. For nearly 50 years, their family operated Ibleto’s Spaghetti Palace at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. This was the beginning of his much earned nickname, the Pasta King. In 2016, Arturo, along with Jody Edwards and Chris Smith, wrote a memoir called Freedom Fighter to King. The book traces the life Arturo from his deep family roots in Italy, through his services as a teenage resistance fighter in WWII and on to building a new life in America.

Arturo and Victoria joined the Sons of Italy in America in 1958. They were members of the Cesare Battisti Lodge #1518, of Petaluma. Arturo became State President of the Grand Lodge of California from 1995-1997.

Arturo co-founded the North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation and shared his passion for singing as a member of its choral group, Coro Allegro. There will be a socially distanced visitation on Friday, December 4, from 1PM to 7PM at the Eggen & Lance Chapel, 1540 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA.

Condolences may be sent to: Angelo Ibleto (Arturo’s brother)
2700 Old Adobe Rd.
Petaluma, CA 94954