On December 16, 2019, Gregory Thomas Vistica, with family by his side, left this earth from his home in Los Altos Hills for his new home in Heaven. Greg treasured his family, especially Margaret, his beloved wife of 70 years, his three daughters and their husbands, Diane Noriega (Bruce), Cynthia Vistica (Michael Barbieri), and Suzanne Demo (Thomas) and their precious offspring. Sharing repast with family and friends was also a great joy in his life. Greg was born December 21, 1924 in Stockton, CA, to immigrant parents, Nicolina and Martin Vistica, from Yugoslavia and spoke Croatian to the very end. At age 4, Greg was moved to Sunnyvale upon the early death of his father, from being gassed in WWI. His mother, sister Anne (Mardesich), and he first lived in the Libby’s Cannery Camp before settling into a relative’s home on Fremont Rd where Greg had to pick apricots and perform other jobs to buy his own shoes and necessities.
At 16, Greg became football captain and student body president at Fremont HS. At 18, Greg enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. His outfit was the 314th Troop Carrier Group that dropped paratroopers over Sainte-Mère-Église on D-Day, for which he received a unit citation, in addition to other medals.
After his honorable WWII service as a fleet navigator/instructor, marksman carbine qualified Staff Sergeant, Greg returned home and completed his bachelor’s degree from San Jose State Univ. He studied at Haas School of Business in Berkeley for one year, but had to return to care for his mother. At that time Greg began courting his lifelong neighbor and his one true love, Margaret Bogdanich, and they married on December 4, 1949. Greg went on to grow a successful business as a contractor, insurance and RE broker/Realtor, having an active real estate broker license for 69 years. He was also the first president of the Sunnyvale Board of Realtors. He built many homes locally as well as in central CA. In 1963, after six years in Oroville/ Chico, the family moved to their current home in Los Altos Hills, leaving loved friends as the Black’s, Hall’s and Morony’s. Greg was a pilot and an avid traveler: Most daringly, he piloted around the world in a twin-engine plane and also flew to the Andes in a single-engine. He visited over 200 countries, many of those with his wife Margaret, including Antarctica (where he was allowed to pilot the jet), and another to the North Pole with Jim Lovell. Greg held many lifememberships in a variety of interests. After retiring, Greg became very active with among others, the Naval War College and Navy League of the US, serving as council and regional president up to National Director Emeritus. He served on ship commissioning committees, most recently for USS America in 2014.
Greg was a faithful servant and follower of Christ. He contributed for decades to St. Nicholas Church, serving in a multitude of ways. For 10 years, Greg suffered escalating back pain and lung disorders, but now he is at peace. We shall forever miss our beloved husband and compassionate, involved, and caring father and role model, as exemplified by his gentlemanliness, great sense of responsibility, and fortitude. We love you forever.
A Rosary will be held at 7pm on Thursday, Jan 9, 2020, at Cusimano Colonial Mortuary, 96W El Camino Real, MtView, with viewing beginning at 5pm. On Friday, Jan 10th, a Funeral Mass will be held at 11am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 473 Lincoln Ave, Los Altos. Burial will be at 12:45pm at Gate of Heaven, 22555 Cristo Rey Dr, Los Altos. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to a charity of your choice, St. Nicholas Church, or the excellent organization of PAMF, in honor of Dr. Lally who, with stellar and personalized care, oversaw Greg’s health for nearly 50 years.
Please view/sign guestbook: www.cusimanocolonial.com