Aldo Biale

NAPA — After a brief illness, Aldo Benedetto Biale passed away peacefully at home on Saturday morning, Dec. 12, 2009. Aldo was born in Napa in 1929 to Italian immigrant parents, Pietro and Cristina Biale. His earliest years were spent on the Gier Ranch at the top of Mt. Veeder until his move to the valley floor to the ranch his father purchased in 1937.

When his father died in 1942, Aldo and his mom set about working their ranch on El Centro Avenue, raising chickens, pigeons, rabbits, prunes, walnuts and grapes. With a love of the land and the animals, these two made a life and a home which exuded their Italian heritage. In 1953 they traveled to Italy to visit family and Aldo came home with a wife! It took a mere six weeks for Aldo to meet, court and marry the woman who would be his loving wife for 56 years.

With his bride Clementina, Aldo raised four children in the ways of farming, the Catholic faith and all things Italian. His rich life included memberships in: Future Farmers of America, Sons of Italy, Italian Catholic Federation, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the Napa County Farm Bureau and he was a founding member of St. Apollinaris Parish.

Upon retiring from a 30-year career with the City of Napa Department of Public Works, Aldo was able to devote his days fully to the ranch and his home wine-making. In 1991 his life-long dream and love for Zinfandel became a full-blown professional venture with the establishment of Robert Biale Vineyards, a highly respected Zinfandel producing winery in Napa.

Aldo leaves behind his wife Clementina, daughter Sandra Rossomando and husband, Tony, son Bob Biale and wife Wendy, son Mark Biale and wife Sandy and grandchildren, Peter, Michelle and Tim Rossomando, and Alex and Michela Biale. He is predeceased by his son, John Biale.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, 3700 Lassen St. in Napa. The Rosary will be held on Friday evening at 7 p.m., also at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday afternoon at the Claffey and Rota Funeral Home, 1975 Main St., in Napa, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Please offer any donations to the John Biale Scholarship Fund at Justin-Siena High School, Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation or St. Apollinaris Catholic Church.