Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Gargano , Rocco Giovanni  (aka: Roy John) December 2004
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K T bluewolf@onemain.com January 4, 2005, 2:17 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
Rocco Giovanni Gargano 
aka:Roy John Gargano
1917 - 2004

Roy J. Gargano passed away after a brief hospitalization, with his family at 
his side. Catholic services will be held January 5, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at 
Hillcrest Memorial Chapel. No visitation is scheduled.

Roy attended St. Marys College, graduated from law school at the University of 
Southern California with membership in the Order of the Coif, the highest 
award given at USCs law school. After passing the bar, Roy was invited to join 
a private practice in Los Angeles, CA, but chose to accept a position as a 
Deputy Counsel with the County of Kern. Rapidly rising through the ranks, he 
became County Counsel in 1952. Eleven years later, he became a Superior Court 
Judge. During this time he was appointed to serve on the California Judicial 
Counsel. In 1966 Governor Edmund G. Brown appointed him as an Associate 
Justice to the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Roy was one of three appellate 
justices in the Fifth District, which encompassed nine counties including 
Fresno and Kern, and he saw a vast array of cases. He offered over 600 
appellate opinions, giving him the distinction of playing a major role in 
establishing a remarkable amount of legal precedent. In the course of his 
career, Roy had been involved in virtually all phases of civil law.

After ending his judicial tenure in 1977 Roy brought his talent and expertise 
to Borton, Petrini & Conron, LLP. His background with the court of Appeal 
honed his analytical abilities, and he was called upon to assist other 
attorneys in diagnosing cases. He was considered a specialist in water law and 
public entity matters and had particular knowledge in issues of refuse 
collection and recycling. In addition to these specialty areas, Roy also had 
solid experience in commercial litigation, local taxation, eminent domain, the 
Brown Act, land use planning, bankruptcy trial work, construction law, and 
special districts representation. Also, as would be expected, Roys years as a 
judge made him an expert at trial work.

Roy belonged to a variety of professional organizations and had received many 
honors throughout his career. He was a member of the State Bar of California, 
the Kern County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He was a 
recipient of numerous awards for his work in the legal field, including the 
Kern County Bar Association Bench and Bar Award. He also was a member of the 
Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. Roy was knighted by the Italian government 
Order of the Cavalieri, for his achievements as a prominent Italian-American. 
He was proud to be inducted into the St. Anthony High School Alumni Hall of 
Fame in Long Beach, CA in 1986, only one of eight ever to receive this honor.

Roy is survived by his wife, Marguerite (Jackie) Gargano; daughter, Dr. Veeda 
Gargano-Ray and husband, Stephen of Gig Harbor, WA; grandchildren, Roy 
Marchetti and wife, Elisabeth of Bakersfield, CA and Julie Marchetti of La 
Jolla, CA; great-granddaughter, Katya Marchetti; extended family and friends. 
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Sam Gargano and Clara Gargano 
Carrata of Italy and his first wife of fifty-five years, Rheva Wray Gargano.

Pallbearers are: Roy Marchetti, Greg Ferrari, Bill Cowan, Tom Cowan, Bob Cowan 
and Kirk Cowan. Honorary Pallbearers are: Don Allen, Harold Bergen, Kenneth 
Casanova, Joe Marchetti, George Martin, Brandon ONeil, Stephen Ray, Jack 
Stellato, Sketter Varner, Dr. Thomas Wen, and Dr. Kenneth Wong. 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.
*Posted in the 04 January 2005 edition

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