James Vincent Faletti passed away February 25, 2020 at the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California, from complications of heart disease. He was 86 years old.

Jim relocated to Napa in 2019 to be closer to his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. We are grateful for the care and family atmosphere provided in his remaining years by the staff of Stayman Estates in Napa.

Jim was a funny, quirky, empathetic, loving, often forgetful family member and friend who loved Sierra Nevada backpacking, redwoods, watersheds, bird watching, trout fishing, beekeeping, dogs, kids, chess, Blackjack, 49ers, music, whisky, and Italian food from his parents' native Piedmont region. Lifelong passion for the Sierra Nevada led him to found a family legacy of pioneer mountaineering, environmental preservation, forest stewardship, and an enduring Tall Tale Tradition.

Born Sept. 21, 1933 in San Francisco, Jim ("Jimmy") grew up in the Decoto and Niles historic districts of Fremont, with mother, Rina Ferrante (Monteo da Po, Piedmont, Italy) and step-father, August Canziani (Asti, Italy). His birth father Andrew Henry Faletti was of Minden, Nevada and Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe.

He attended Washington High School in Fremont (1952) and graduated from San Jose State College in business accounting and geology (1956), where he married first wife Peggy Wooden (1935-2018, San Jose and Napa) in 1956. They spent two US Army service years in Frankfurt, Germany. In a community-minded group of families and professionals in East San Jose, CA, they raised four children: Rina of Napa, CA (m. David Huang; granddaughter Xochi); Matt of Mill Creek, WA (m. Naomi; daughters Angelica and Patricia, m. Lorenzo); Alex of Herriman, UT (m. Lisa; grandkids Josh, Allie, Logan, DJ, Jaxon, and AJ, m. Sarah); and Adam, of Tuolumne, CA.

During his career in public school finance, Jim directed budget management as Assistant Superintendent of School Business Finance for the Milpitas USD, Berkeley USD, and Stockton USD. He earned an MBA from Pepperdine University.

In retirement, Jim and life companion Gerry Schwarzentraub (1942-2007) built a loving family life with Gerry's children Jana Brooks, Eric Schwarzentraub, and Matt Schwarzentraub, all of Stockton.

No obituary can describe the person he was, the things we will miss, and the ways he will live in our memories and hearts.

Attend a memorial gathering (originally delayed by COVID) on Monday, October 18, Noon – 4 p.m. Tulocay Funeral Home, 411 Coombsville Road, Napa, CA 94559 (707-252-4727). Jim's ashes will rest in the family niche at the San Francisco Columbarium. Contact Rina Faletti (210-860-2055; falettir@hotmail.com).