Pietro Severino Stagnoli
Dec. 27, 1937 – May 17, 2026

Pietro entered the gates of Heaven, with his children by his side on May 17, 2026. He was born on December 27, 1937, to Guiseppe and Giulia Stagnoli in Brescia, Italy. As a teenager Pietro — “Pete” — learned how to make furniture, which developed into a lifelong skill. At age 20 Pietro left Italy to join his father in Orick. His mother and younger brother followed shortly afterwards. 

Pietro married Albina Senestraro in 1961 whom he met at a wedding in Ferndale. Their first son, Paul, was born in 1962. Their second child, Dan, was born in1964 and their daughter, Rina, was born in 1967.

Pietro started working for Georgia Pacific in Samoa in 1960 and then for Louisiana Pacific and prior to his retirement in 2001 the Samoa-Pacific Group. Pete was well known in the town of Samoa as for many years he oversaw the maintenance of all housing within the town. You can still see some of the wood road signs that he made throughout the town. He also worked on the Women’s Club installing redwood wainscoting and extensive upgrades to the Manager’s home as well as the Hostelry in town. He participated in the Samoa Volunteer Fireman’s organization and worked to restore “Miss Mac” the vintage fire truck that competed in Fire Musters throughout the late 1970’s early 1980’s in California. In the late 90’s Louisiana-Pacific sent Pietro to Venezuela to build a Sales Office on an empty floor of a high rise building for the company. Pietro had to draw the plans for the office and organize the shipment of everything that would be needed from the equipment, wood, metal, even down to the number of nails and screws. It was a challenge that he accepted wholeheartedly.

In 1975, Pietro and Albina purchased one acre of land in Salyer, outside of Willow Creek. For the next 44 years they developed it into their sanctuary. Pietro established a small vineyard on that acre where he would harvest the zinfandel grapes planted to make his own wine and Grappa. The joy that plot of land provided to Pietro is immeasurable. When he sold the land to the neighbor he continued to tend to the vines for a year afterwards to ensure the new owner would have a yield of grapes to make their own wine.

Pietro was a devout Catholic attending St. Mary’s Church in Arcata for over 50 years. With his furniture building skills which he learned in Italy, he was able to build the churches current alters, lectern and several picture frames with beautiful birdseye redwood. He spent countless hours helping to decorate the church at Christmas time along with his friend Joe Avelar and other parishioners. Pietro was a member of the Italian Catholic Federation branch #144 in Arcata. He was an integral part of the semi-annual Chicken and Polenta fundraisers, where you could always find him in the kitchen with a bottle of Grappa to share.

Pietro loved to play bocce after he retired from his work. He built a short-lived bocce ball court on the grounds at St. Mary’s church. He teamed up with his older brother Franco, and friend Pat to play in ICF tournaments. He taught Pat to play in one week and they went on to win a tournament shortly afterwards. In Pietro’s later years he found the love of dancing again. He became a member of the Friendship Circle, dancing on Mondays with his longtime friend Shiela.

Pietro is preceded in passing by his Mother Giulia Stagnoli, Father Guiseppe Stagnoli, older brother Franco Stagnoli, sister-in-law Caterina Stagnoli, younger brother Severino and wife Albina.

He is survived by his sons Paul (Lisa) Stagnoli and Dan (Faith) Stagnoli, daughter Rina Brodhag; four grandchildren Celestina (Jerad) Bartley-Meisner, Jason (MacKenzie) Bartley, Severino Stagnoli, and Parker Stagnoli. As well as three great-grandchildren, Lucas Thomas Meisner, Ryan Pietro Meisner, Austin Elizabeth Bartley and numerous nephews, nieces and friends.

A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Arcata on Saturday, June 27. Rosary will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the Mass with a reception to follow in the narthex. Private family internment will be held on the same day.