Fulton “Bumpy” Picetti, the director at the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo for six decades and active in a multitude of community organizations, has died. He was 96.
Picetti, a lifelong San Benito County resident, died Saturday at St. Louise Hospital. His family held services Wednesday and Thursday.
Picetti graduated from Hollister High School in 1934 and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stanford University in 1941 before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After his discharge in 1946, he started 17 years of reserve duty and began a long career in the insurance business.
It was his work with the rodeo and other local organizations that many residents will remember about Picetti.
“He was just a guy that was so involved in community service with everything,” said Jeannie Corotto Matthews, a cousin. “It was just the way he was.”
His interest in others was rooted in an outgoing personality. Corotto said he really enjoyed listening to people and had a passion for education – which led to his founding of scholarships for local youths.
“He wasn’t one to talk much about himself, ever,” she said. “He was so interested in people. He would like to go up to people and listen to them.”
He didn’t want to be in the spotlight, but did appreciate it when he was, she said.
“He’s rather be an Indian than a chief,” she said.
But in his work for the rodeo, Picetti was more of a chief for about 60 years. He started volunteering as a grandstand usher after he got out of the Army in 1946. Five years later, he was the director.
“I do have a tendency to have a little longevity when I get working on something,” Picetti told the Free Lance in 2007.
Picetti, who did not get married or have children, was survived by many cousins and was predeceased by his parents Fulton Sr. and Mary Corotto Picetti; sister Eunice Picetti, brother Louis Picetti; and sister-in-law Regina Picetti.
