Lino Mogni died of natural causes in the early morning of December 23, 2019. He was 87 years old. 

Lino, a first generation Italian-American, was born July 21, 1932 in Eureka to his parents, Mary and Eugene “Jim” Mogni. He lived in Loleta until the family moved to their dairy ranch on Coffee Creek Road in Ferndale, when he was a small child. 

He grew up with his two sisters, Alma and Rita, as well as his cousin Dino Terribilini. He attended Coffee Creek School and Ferndale Union High School, graduating in 1951. Lino, Wildcat football star #21, played the position of end. When his father passed away his senior year, Lino assumed the duty of running the family dairy.

Lino married Betty Lewis in 1952. They raised their family, Carol Ann, Patti, and David in Ferndale. Together they invested about eight years into remodeling and renovating their home, which provided the setting for many family and friends’ gatherings over the years.

Peer’s International Motors provided his early employment as an auto mechanic. By 1956, at the age of 24, he went into business with Alvin Scilacci. M & S Motors located on Ocean and Main later became Lino’s Richfield then Lino’s Arco, which he owned and operated for forty years until 1997. At that time he assisted David & Barbara, his son and daughter-in-law, in the renovation and opening of the Hotel Ivanhoe and Restaurant. He led the kitchen crew for 10 years, also inspiring the menu development.

Being a business proprietor in mid-century Main Street, Lino was civically minded. He was a Charter Member of Ferndale Rotary Club, member of Native Sons of the Golden West, Elks Club of Eureka, and Order Sons of Italy in America. Lino’s community spirit was most exemplified by his long-time service in the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department, which he led for ten years as Fire Chief.

As Lino’s family grew up and moved away, he developed many interests to fill his free time. Orchids and daffodils; clocks and koi provided him various projects and pleasures. Bocce ball became his new sport. Travels to Italy and other parts of Europe highlighted his later years. Annually, he visited his southern California grandchildren. Lino was in many ways a modern-day Renaissance man.

Lino was preceded in death by his wife Betty Mogni, his parents Mary & Eugene Mogni, his sisters Alma Bognuda and Rita Gamboni, and his great-granddaughter Gianna Skye Hamilton. He is survived by his children Carol Jaramillo (Randy), Patti Mogni, and David Mogni (Barbara); his grandchildren Chandler Baird, Ashleigh Hamilton (Joshua), Nicole Mercuriali (Tony), Keely Baird, Natalie Jaramillo; his nieces Barbara Brightman, Cindra Bognuda, Terry Shinn (Ray) and nephew Anthony Bognuda; and many great-grandchildren, grand-nephews, grand-niece, great-grandnephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at the Church of the Assumption in Ferndale on January 3 at 1:00 p.m. with Father “Jo” Mario Laguros officiating. Reception to follow at Ferndale Community Center at Firemen’s Park in Ferndale. Pall bearers are Dayton Titus, Jerry Genzoli, Darrel Polasek, Ray Shinn, Joe Mendes Jr., Emil Feierabend, Steve Nunes, Richard Leonardo, Curt Terribilini, and Chandler Baird.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. Box 485, Ferndale, CA, 95536.

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