Mario Peter Grande (1940 - 2016)

Born 20 Oct 1940 in La Paz, La Paz, Bolivia

Died 21 May 2016 at age 75 in Sacramento, Sacramento, California, United States

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Biography

Please meet a dear departed friend Mario Grande. His parents fled Nazi Germany and boarded a boat with visas to Peru. While at sea, Peru, like many other countries at the time, changed their minds about admitting Jewish refugees. Bolivia stepped up and agreed to take the boatload of refugees. Thus, Peter was born in La Paz Bolivia. The family immigrated to San Francisco when Peter was in his teens. He said his father got off the plane and kissed the tarmac at SFO. Peter had a horrible accident in 1959 that created headlines all over California. After a year in hospital, he continued to be a lifelong employee of Wells Fargo Bank and managed the establishment of the Wells Fargo Museum in Sacramento. He was once charged in the 80s in SF with discrimination in bank hiring. When the case went to court Peter sat in the witness stand and said "I am a gay, disabled, immigrant, Jew. Who am I to discriminate?" The case was dismissed. His leg was fused at the knee and at the ankle, but boy could he dance!

Ron Perkins and Peter Grande were lifelong partners.

This is the obituary I wrote for Peter

Mario Peter Grande, 75, died unexpectedly and peacefully on May 21, 2016 at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento. Peter was born October 20, 1940 in La Paz, Bolivia. His parents fled Nazi Germany at a time when only Bolivia would accept Jewish refugees. The family immigrated to San Francisco when was in his teens. Speaking both Spanish and German he was admitted to prestigious Lowell High School and continued his education at San Francisco City College. He moved to Sacramento in the 60s with the love of his life, Ron Perkins, who sadly preceded him in death many years ago. Peter had a 39-year career with Wells Fargo Bank. In addition to bank management, he was integral in the establishment of the Wells Fargo Museum in Old Sacramento. Peter was active in many organizations, clubs, and civic endeavors. He loved theater, especially musicals and was a regular at B Street Theatre and Sacramento Theatre Company. Peter was an avid reader and always was ready to discuss his latest find. He was a prominent and valued member of the Sacramento chapter of the American Contract Bridge League and played in many national tournaments as well as online. He had weekly standing bridge dates with his close friends. Peter has many relatives all over the globe. The local Sacramento friendships he developed and cherished became his immediate family and loving support. Peter was a kind and generous soul who wore his heart on his sleeve. He always saw the best in everyone and wanted everyone to be their best. He will be deeply missed and leaves a hole in the hearts of everyone he touched. At Peter’s request there will be no formal memorial service.

Peter's ashes were scattered off San Francisco by a group of friends, but his relatives added an inscription for him on Uncle Georges headstone in Cape Town, South Africa (see images).

Sources

• Personal recollection

• Death Certificate, See images

• Peter's memorial on George's Headstone- See images

• Mario's Ancestry profile

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/162381249/person/132118596548/facts

• Naturalization petition

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3998/005197348_01261/3449263?https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/162381249/person/132118596548/facts/citation/562166580845/edit/record

• Front Page article about Peter's accident

The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) · 1 Aug 1959, Sat · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/458543489/?terms=Mario%2BGrande

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/220528646/mario-peter-grande