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Longtime Pleasanton resident Carlo E. Vecchiarelli Jr., who held leadership roles within the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District for decades including 15 years as an elected trustee representing the Tri-Valley, died earlier this month after battling cancer. He was 79.
A former science instructor at Chabot College who would go on to become dean of admissions and records at the Hayward campus for nearly 30 years, Vecchiarelli was also known in his hometown for owning the old Dolls and Ducks collectibles shop in downtown Pleasanton for years with his wife Geri.
“The passing of Mr. Vecchiarelli represents an enormous loss to our community. He was beloved for his unwavering commitment to the district, and his legacy will have a lasting impact on our students and staff,” said Trustee Tim Sbranti, current president of the CLPCCD Board of Trustees who succeeded Vecchiarelli in the Trustee Area 5 seat after his retirement in 2019.
A San Leandro native who graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Vecchiarelli began his career at Chabot as a faculty member in the science department in 1968, according to his family’s obituary. He was elevated to admissions dean seven years later, a position he held until retiring in 2003.
But his leadership with the college district didn’t end there. Vecchiarelli ran for and won election as the Chabot-Las Positas board trustee representing parts of the Tri-Valley in 2004. He would hold the position for nearly four terms, including three turns as board president, before resigning in January 2019 at the age of 76.
All told, Vecchiarelli worked or served with the college district for more than five decades.
In addition to the running the retail shop on Main Street for 15 years, which capitalized on his passion for duck stamps and other collectibles, Vecchiarelli was known in the community for his years as a baseball and softball umpire for youth games. He was also an inductee into the Chabot Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of meritorious services to student-athletes.
Family confirmed Vecchiarelli died on Feb. 12 “after a short but strong battle with cancer.”
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Geri Keele-Vecchiarelli, children Carlo “Chuck” Vecchiarelli III and Veronica “Rocky” Vecchiarelli-Valleau, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service and funeral mass for Vecchiarelli has been scheduled for March 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Livermore. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to either The Friends of Chabot College or The Las Positas College Foundation in his honor.
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