Lido Ranieri

Lido Michael Ranieri, a Lab retiree, died March 18. He was 88.

Born Dec. 11, 1921, in Stockett, Mont., to Enrico and Emma Ranieri, he later moved to Oakland with his family.

In January 1943, at the age of 21, Ranieri enlisted in the U.S. Army in San Francisco. After completing training, he was issued orders to serve in the European Theater. He was diverted at shipside and sent to Greenland where he served as a surgical technician treating soldiers, local indigenous Inuits and an occasional sled dog.

As a non-commissioned officer at the end of the war, Ranieri was transferred to Birmingham General Hospital, Van Nuys, Calif., where he continued his job assignment as a surgical technician. There he met Nell Kirkman, a surgical nurse. The two were married in Twin Falls, Idaho, in July 1946.

Before his discharge, Ranieri received several honors including a Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and a Rifleman Marksman Badge.

Ranieri and his family settled in San Lorenzo and then later moved to Castro Valley. He worked in the field of refrigeration at the Lab. He was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 342, for 55 years.

In retirement, Ranieri and his wife enjoyed traveling around the world and going on cruises. He also continued to pursue his love of the culinary arts.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nell; his daughter Kathryn Harris; son Gregory; and granddaughters Tessa, Rachel, Lindsay, Taylor and Meghann.

Services were held March 23 in Hayward, Calif.