Charles Geraci, M.D.'s Obituary
Charles Geraci, M.D., age 88 years, died on January 16th, 2012 of Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Geraci was born May 4, 1923 in San Jose, California to Charles and Mary (Madonna) Geraci. He practiced general surgery for 55 years at Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, with an office in San Carlos. Charles became interested in medicine at an early age while caring for his homing pigeons. He attended Bellarmine High School, and graduated from Stanford '44 and Stanford School of Medicine in 1947 and married Anne Pauline (Polly) the same year. Dr. Geraci served in the U.S. Air Force '46-'49: assignments included U.S. Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco. He moved his family to San Carlos in 1953 where he was appointed to the Sequoia Hospital medical staff. He served as Courtesy Staff at several San Mateo County hospitals between 1953 and 1990. For many years he influenced the direction of medical policy through his membership on the Board of Directors of the San Mateo County Medical Society, as Council Member (Board of Directors) of the California Medical Association'76-'80; President of Medical Staff, Sequoia Hospital '65-'66 and again in '86-'88. He was appointed Medical Director of Sequoia Hospital in 1991 and served in that position for 8 1/2 years providing valued leadership. Subsequently, he continued to serve on hospital committees and worked part time until his retirement, at the age of 85, in 2008. A dedicated surgeon, some of his philanthropic practice tours were with Project Hope where he served as Chief of Staff in Trujillo, Peru (1962); surgical service in Colombo, Ceylon, '68, and Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, AZ (Navajo Reservation), '71 & '73. Dr. Geraci was highly regarded and much liked by both his patients and his colleagues. He was unfailingly kind, congenial and generous in sharing his humor as well as his expertise. Dr. Geraci was widowed in 1988 and remarried in 1990. He leaves his loving wife of nearly 22 years, Louise Ebeling Geraci, his three children from his earlier marriage to Anne Pauline (Polly) Geraci: Lisa (Michael) Geraci Fox of Half Moon Bay, Daniel (Dierdre) Geraci of Pescadero, Dr. Thomas Geraci of Stockton; and two step-children: Douglas (Betsy) Ebeling of Salem, Oregon and Kathryn (Bruce) Pelkey of Crosby, Texas. He also leaves his beloved brother, Joseph Geraci (Elverta) of Saratoga, several cousins, a blended family of 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Charles (Charlie) loved music, adventure travel, hiking and skiing in the Sierra. During his later life and marriage to Louise, he traveled widely, was devoted to his large, blended family and friends, participated in the Explorers Club, and enjoyed San Francisco Fine Arts events. Always a wordsmith, he completed the NY Times crossword every morning in ink in less than 15 minutes. He was a brilliant pianist, artist and talented craftsman who built clocks for family and friends. Gratitude extended for extraordinary care and comfort provided by Swindells Memory Unit (CPMC) and by Tender Rose Homecare. See www.skylawnmemorialpark.com for information on a planned celebration of Dr. Geraci's life, scheduled for February 2 at 2:00 pm at the Stanford Memorial Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Dr. Geraci be sent to: Sequoia Hospital Foundation, 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA 94062. Geraci, Charles ' Memorial February 2 ' Parking Information Here is information about driving directions and parking for guests (not family, participants). It is important to allow ample time to find parking and walk to the church. There is no parking directly at the church for guests, and the walk is approximately 7-10 minutes from any parking to the church entrance. Note: handicap parking (with a valid placard) is directly behind the church. Direct access to parking behind the church is limited and requires entry through a gate with keypad code. Call 650-723-1763 (Stanford Memorial Church office) for more information.Link to the campus map that shows the pay kiosks and metered parking areas http://transportation.stanford.edu/pdf/visitor-map.pdf Shuttles will be available to transport guests from both, Galvez Field and Tresidder Pay Lot beginning 1pm (see below) and will then take guests to the Faculty Club reception after the service and then back to Galvez Field. There are 60 spaces reserved at the Tresidder Pay Lot. They will be marked with signs reading ‘Geraci Memorial’ Enter campus on Galvez Street or Palm Drive. Left on Campus Drive. Right on Mayfield. Right on Lagunita. A shuttle marked ‘Memorial Service’ will be available from near the Faculty Club entrance on Lagunita. Guests will be driven to the rear entrance of Memorial Church. Unless there is a mobility concern, please enter through the front entrance of Memorial Church. There is reserved parking (for approximately 50 cars) at Galvez Field.Enter campus on Embarcadero/Galvez Street. Galvez Field is at the corner of Galvez Street and Campus Drive. Enter on Campus Drive.Shuttle service is available from Galvez Field to the rear (Pedestrian Zone) of Memorial Church and will be marked ‘Memorial Service’.Other options for guest parkingMetered parking at the Oval (meters at outbound end of Oval/Palm Drive) Coins only. 2 hour limit. Enter campus on University Avenue. University Avenue becomes Palm Drive after El Camino Real. Continue down Palm Drive to the end. Metered parking on the outbound loop. You can see the church from this parking area. Parking near the Cantor Art Center (off Palm Drive) Pay kiosk takes all forms of payment. No time limit. Enter campus on University Avenue. University Avenue becomes Palm Drive after El Camino Real. Continue down Palm Drive. Right on Museum Way or Roth Way. Right on Lomita. You can see the church as you drive down Palm Drive. Parking is only enforced until 4pm, so don’t overpay the meter/kiosk.
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