Obituary: Richard Luna

Richard  Luna loved his family, gin martinis, and Cal Football. He was a genuinely happy person who found humor in everything and saw potential in everyone.  Richard did not dwell on the negative, rather he embraced the positive side of every situation. Richard died on June 27, 2013 after a difficult five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Richard was born in Highgrove, California.   He was educated as a young man by the Salesians of Don Bosco.  He went on to teach as a Salesian Brother at Bosco Tech, Rosemead, CA and Salesian High School, Richmond, CA.  He graduated from San Francisco State University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and worked at Solano Community College for many happy years. Richard’s spirit will live on through the hundreds of students he counseled, taught and coached. 

The Salesian’s instilled in him a love of faith, education and sports. His life long love of sports resulted in his induction into the Salesian High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.  This fall, when the Salesian High School team takes their place on the football field, don’t be surprised if they have a little help from an old coach looking down on them and calling plays from that great football field in the sky.

Richard’s home was in the Bay Area, although he loved to travel the world. He equally loved spending time in his garden in Benicia and watching the sun set over his beloved Golden Gate Bridge. Family dinners at home, shared with his wife Cheryl and were filled with wonderful food, wine and company. His presence at the table will be missed.  

Richard is survived by his wife of 42 years Cheryl, son Gregory, daughter Lisa Smith (Jeff), and granddaughter Ainsley Smith. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Gregorio & Gertrudia and siblings, Angel (Olga), Mary Cervantes (Carlos), Fr. Roger, SDB and Lupe Pobjoy (Charles). He is also survived by his brothers Ralph (Esmeralda Fucci), Ray (Sherry) and sister-in-law Olga, along with countless nieces, nephews and cousins.  He adored all of them.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, July 12th at 10:00am at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church (666 Filbert Street, San Francisco). In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Salesian High School Tuition Assistance Fund at 2851 Salesian Ave. 
Richmond CA 94804 or online at www.salesian.com.