Reade Anmony Giraulo passed away Saturday afternoon at his home in Gilroy with his family at his side. Reade moved from New York to California seven years ago and lived with his daughter and son-in-law after his wife, Edith, of 52 years, passed away.
Reade was a handsome gentleman with an earnest eye and a subtle charm. He was a Christian, a World War II veteran, and a father to 5 children. Reade was a man who loved to work with his hands and you could always find him tinkering around in the garage, making something out of nothing or fixing something most thought was not worth fixing. He was a strong man whose handshake left recipients declaring “Mercy!”. He had a positive attitude and was often heard responding to questions such as “How are you?” with declaratives such as “Copasetic” or “60-50”. He coined the expletive “Dumb bunny!” in response to self-inflicted pain, such as smashing his hand with a hammer or dropping a heavy object on his foot.
Reade was a very active senior citizen sharing his godly beliefs at St Mary Catholic Church, RCIA instruction classes and volunteering his time at the Saint Louise Regional Hospital and the Hillview Convalescent Hospital. Lunch time you could find him playing cards and eating at the Morgan Hill Community Center with his good friend Lorraine Kermil.
He was very eager to entertain everyone with his harmonica repertoire. It was common for Reade to play his harmonica after dinner and entertain the dinner guests at his favorite Italian Restaurant, Sicilia In Bocca in Morgan Hill, or entertaining his family and friends with songs on his Conn organ at home.
In addition to his daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Dennis Triolo, he is survived by his children, Ronald, Earl (Bob), Randy, Ellen and Joanne; ten grandchildren; Victor, Tracy, Douglas, Robert, Curt, Reade, Denim, Alisa, Jason and Ronnie; and two great grandchildren, Salvatore and Dominic.
Reade contributed in many ways to this world and to those who loved him, and to strangers as well. He loved and accepted everyone for who they were and never had a cross word to say about anyone. He showed us an example of love, tolerance and understanding we could all learn from him. His presence, his smile and his eyes will never be forgotten and will always be missed.
Services are being prepared by Habing Family Funeral Home with a Catholic Mass to be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Gilroy.
