Capitola

Eugene (Gene) Mark Pellegrini, 79, formerly of Capitola, California, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at the Chester County Hospital in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Gene was the son of the late Ildebrando and Mamie Ruggiero Pellegrini.

He proudly served during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman Second Class.

Gene earned his master’s degree in Geriatric Nursing from California State at Hayward. He worked as a nurse at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in San Francisco and the Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

He was an avid fisherman having spent a great deal of time fishing from his boat and at the Capitola Wharf.

Gene was a great lover of animals and is survived by his beloved dog, Brook.

He was well known for helping his friends and neighbors and was loved by all who knew him.

Gene is survived by his niece, Cindy (Pellegrini) Tryniszewski of Chester Springs, PA; nephew, Wayne Pellegrini of Paoli, PA; nieces, Joanne (Pellegrini) Lacassin and Judy (Pellegrini) Hebert, both of Belle Chasse, LA; and his dear friend, Mardi Hammerberg of Ridgecrest, CA.

In addition to his parents, Gene was also predeceased by his brothers, Louis Pellegrini and John Pellegrini.

Avisitation will be held from 12 to 2pmonThursday, January 9th at the Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga Street, Santa Cruz.

Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Santa Cruz, where military honors will be rendered.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene’s memory can be made to the SPCA of Monterey County, 1002 Monterey Salinas Hwy., Salinas, CA 93908.