Longtime West Marin resident George DeMartini, a retired
Point Reyes National Seashore employee and habitué of the Western
Saloon, who sat in the bar window swatting flies while downing Olympian
quantities of bourbon and water, died Jan. 17, after several years of
declining health. He was 83.
His passion for eliminating flies from the Point Reyes
Station watering hole was so ingrained that its owner kept a flyswatter
close to his customary perch for him to use.
"He was a great old man," said Western Saloon
bartender Helen Skinner. "We called him ‘The Old Fart,’
and he loved it," said Skinner. "He was insulted if you didn’t
call him that."
Mr. DeMartini became so attached to his moniker that
friends gave him a matching ensemble of a hat, socks and coffee mug,
all emblazoned with the ‘Old Fart’ insignia.
Seashore foreman
Added hunting partner Al Crivelli, "my favorite
nickname for George was ‘Or- nery, ’" he said with a
chuckle.
Mr. DeMartini was one of the first employees hired
by the Point Reyes National Seashore. He retired from the park service
as foreman of the roads and trails crew.
Born in San Francisco on Feb. 22, 1922, young George
learned many life lessons in the school of hard knocks. By all accounts
his mother was a barroom floozy, and he never knew his father. He had
several half sisters, and his lineage included Cherokee, Portuguese
and Italian blood. He was raised in foster homes and in a boys’
residential facility.
Rodeo rider
Mr. DeMartini’s formal education ended after
the eighth grade. He went straight to work on a Sonoma County horse
ranch. Short and wiry, he rode bulls and horses in rodeos, and had dreams
of becoming a jockey.
During World War II he was drafted into the US Army.
While serving in Alaska on a gun crew, he sustained injuries to his
eyes and ears when a shell exploded sending shrapnel flying.
After his discharge he went to work at the old Bear
Valley Ranch in Olema, where he met his future wife, Ida Silveira, a
housekeeper at the homestead. The couple married in Nevada.
Cork in the bottle
This week his daughter Ronalda DeMartini recalled
growing up on the ranch. The family home, she reminisced, was loaded
with a choice of potential playrooms. "I loved that house,"
she said.
Mr. DeMartini worked hard, and he drank hard. As a
younger man, his dipsomania led to barroom brawls, but five years ago,
after suffering a massive seizure, he plugged a cork in the bottle and
switched to Coca-Cola.
He enjoyed dancing and cut the rug on the Western
Saloon dance floor with the ladies at the bar — and also with his
daughter Ronalda.
His favorite pastime was deer hunting. "He was
a good shot," said Al Crivelli.
Volunteered at Halleck Creek
In his retirement years he worked as a janitor at
his second home, the Western Saloon. He also volunteered at the Halleck
Creek Riding Club.
In 1978 his wife died of cancer. Some 15 years later
he married JoAnne Damato. Their marriage ended in divorce in the late
90s.
In addition to his wife, Ida Silveira DeMartini, he
was predeceased by his daughter Lenora DeMartini; and by a stillborn
son.
He is survived by his daughter Ronalda DeMartini and
her partner, Joe DeLima of Point Reyes Station.
Burial was in Olema Cemetery beside his wife and daughter.
Mr. DeMartini’s daughter suggests that any memorial
contributions be made to Halleck Creek Riding Club; or to West Marin
Senior Services.