Giovanni Bargero

Giovanni Giuseppe Felice Bargero, born January 27, 1933, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family after celebrating his 93rd birthday. Affectionately known as GIO, for obvious reasons, the son of Eugenio and Rosa Bargero was born in New York City. He was born prematurely and was in an incubator when Rosa passed away four days after his birth. He was taken to Italy to live with his grandmother who raised him and his two cousins in Casale Monferrato, Italy, and survived living in Italy during WWII. Being an American he had to take refuge in Crea, a monastery, whenever the enemy was nearby. In 1952 he returned to New York enlisting into the United States Army, stationed at Fort Hamilton, NY, being honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. Thereafter, he attended college at Brooklyn College and City College of New York earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Physics and worked toward his PhD in Physics.

As a “Rocket Scientist”, his career took him from coast to coast. His resume includes working for the US Navy’s Polaris Missile Program in Indian Head, Maryland, as the Manager of Rocket Motor Nozzles with Value Engineering Company in Arlington, VA, as the Supervisor in Charge for the Spartan Production Planning for McDonnell Douglas in Santa Monica, CA, and their Engineering Representative to Thiokol Corporation in Huntsville, AL, as a Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics Consultant to Lockheed Propulsion Lab for the space shuttle booster program, as an Aerospace Engineer for Northrop Corporation for F-5 and F-18 Programs, and finally as the Computer Specialist to the Directorate of Acquisition Logistics for the Space Division of the Los Angeles Air Force Base and then as the Directorate of Systems Acquisition in 1992 where he became the Chief in Resource Management until his retirement in 1998.

Giovanni was very involved in the Knights of Columbus serving as the Grand Knight of the Beverly Hills Council and the Faithful Navigator in Idaho Falls and was instrumental in coordinating with Danny Thomas Saint Jude’s Telethons as well as belonging to Saint John Paul II Catholic parish in Idaho Falls.

He retired to Idaho Falls, ID, in 1998. He had many hobbies including fishing, woodworking, stamp collecting, astrology, astronomy, cooking, computer programming, gardening, and studying Chinese and Hebrew. His favorite “hobby” was being a Nonno.

He is survived by his wife, Emilia Bezzo Bargero whom he married on June 25, 1960, in Woodside, New York, daughter Rosemarie (Steven) Schoof, son, John Bargero, daughter Joanne (James) Malmo, grandchildren, Timothy Schoof, Robert Schoof, Julia Malmo, Jonathan (Emily) Malmo and Jeremy Malmo. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugenio and Rosa Bargero and grandson Thomas Alexander Schoof.

The family would like to thank the staff at Senior Helpers, especially Marnie, and Hospice and Palliative Care of Eastern Idaho, especially Patricia and Corina, Idaho Falls Family and Sports Medicine, and Matt and Jerome for their compassionate and professional care.

In Lieu of Flowers, please consider making a donation in Giovanni’s memory to The American Legion, Saint Vincent DePaul or the charity of your choice.

A Rosary and visitation will be held Monday, February 16, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Buck-Murphy Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, February 17, at 10 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church located at 1690 East 17th Street, Idaho Falls, ID.