With great sadness, On January 18th, 2015, a loving Husband, father, Papa, and soon to be great grandfather, Reynaldo A. Chessani passed away after a long illness.
Nano was born on June 23, 1941 to John and Vera Chessani Sr. Nano’s father, John, was the Fire Captain in Piru and his mother Vera worked at Piru Citrus. In the Chessani home, Nano was brought up in a family that truly enjoyed the outdoors. Camping trips with his family and friends to Bishop, June Lake and other beautiful spots in the Sierra’s was always a lot of fun.
Nano graduated in 1959 from Fillmore Senior High School. While attending high school, Nano was very well known for his athletic abilities. He played football, basketball and baseball. Nano was an excellent conversion kicker for his football team. He made the Letterman club for 3 consecutive years for his class of “59”.
Nano, his brothers and friends were always ready to go watch the drag races in San Fernando and Ontario to see the stock car races. Racing was definitely one of his favorite things to go do. You would find the Chessani brothers modifying their own hot rod cars to see whose car was the fastest on the back streets of Piru and Fillmore. It was a great event for all.
After marrying his high school sweetheart, Donna K. Hanna, class of 1962, they welcomed two children Tamie and Tim. Nano continued to take his own family on camping and fishing trips. He was always looking forward to his family summer vacations. He would go as far north to the Canadian border and back down the beautiful California coastline, taking in all the back roads for more to explore. Nano would start planning weeks prior highlighting his paper map, all the roads, and points of interest that his family would be visting. Excited and ready to go at the crack of dawn, he would get his sleepy crew in to his Chevy, and get a head start on travelling through the desert before it got too hot. After hours of driving Nano and his family were sight seeing new and exciting places.
Nano’s children, Tamie and Tim were involved in sports at a very young age. He truly enjoyed watching them play sports. While Tim played football for the Fillmore Raiders, Nano would take photographs of everyone involved in the game. He loved taking pictures of the action plays on the field and on the sidelines as well.
Nano was a very kind and caring father. He was very proud of Tamie and Tim. Then along came his three granddaughters, Jessica, Karli and Taylor who became very special to him. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends that would stop by to visit.
For many years Nano worked as an Inspector for PPG Industries in Valencia. While working at PPG, Nano loved to participate in the company Golf Tournaments and was always sure to come home with an award and a quick run down on the day’s event.
Nano also had a big heart for animals. He was a volunteer for the Piru Elementary School on weekends taking care of a variety of farm animals. He was happy spending time with his cats, Rico and Mambo and dogs, Zoey and Tucker.
Listening to music was another great interest of Nano’s. He would make his own home speakers to get the best clarity out of his collection of music that ranged from oldies, classic rock, country western and jazz.
In the last few years of his life, Nano slowed down and was not able to travel comfortably and stayed home due to his health. When visiting Nano, you would find him watching golf, car racing, Amgen bicycle racing, football, baseball and basketball proudly sporting his PAC 12 baseball cap.
His brother Art would check in on him and the two would revisit the past through conversation bringing in pictures and news clippings. Nano also kept the Piru School Librarian, Cindy very busy with his book request. He enjoyed reading books by the great author, Louis L’Amour. Nano also was a collector of Cowboy Art.
Nano leaves behind his beloved wife Donna, of 54 years. Daughter Tamie Chessani, son Tim Chessani (wife Sheri). Granddaughters, Jessica Zanotto (husband Kris), Karli Chessani and Taylor Atkins. Brother, Art Chessani (wife Virginia) along with many nieces and nephews.
Nano is preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Vera Chessani , brother, John Chessani Jr., and sisters, Lucille Ortega, Norma Gonzales, and Alice Chessani.
A Family Memorial will be held at a later date.
Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated by the Chessani Family.
Think of Nano when you see beautiful sunsets……