Robert J. Soracco – prominent prune grower

Bob was born in San Francisco on August 21, 1922, and passed
away December 4, 2002 at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. At the age
of 12, he moved with his family to the Cuneo family ranch in
Healdsburg. He graduated from Healdsburg High School in 1941. In
1943, Bob joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Rudyard
Bay, an escort carrier in the South Pacific Theater. After the war,
Bob came home to work on the family ranch with his Uncle Jim Cuneo
and his brother, Jack Soracco. He also managed and operated a small
gravel operation in the Dry Creek area for five years. The family
sold that business and Bob continued with prune and grape growing
with his brother Jack. He married Teresa Pordon in 1957 and they
had two children, Joanne and John. Bob and his family were
prominent in the prune industry. He was a charter member and
director of the Prune Bargaining Board. He also served on the Prune
Marketing Board and the California Prune Board. He also was a top
notch mechanic and kept the rolling stock on the ranch running. In
the early ’70s, Bob and Jack began the process of converting their
prune orchards to vineyards. They did, however, have one of the
last surviving prune orchards in Sonoma County. By the late ’90s,
when most ranchers were selling out to the big wineries, Bob, Jack
and John were among the last few family grape growers in the area.
Bob was a lot of fun and enjoyed racing his car “Whispering Smith,”
with his friends. He liked water-skiing on the river and belonged
to the Healdsburg Boat Club. He was active in civic affairs and was
a member of the 20-30 Club and the Lion’s Club. The later years
found him fishing and camping with Teresa in their travel trailer.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Nilda Soracco, aunt Edna
Cuneo and uncle, Jim Cuneo. He is survived by his loving wife
Teresa, daughter Joanne Soracco and her daughter, Robin and son,
John Soracco and his wife Lisa, along with their daughters,
Stephanie and Rebecca. He also was loved and survived by his aunt
Mary Nave, his brother Jack Soracco and his wife, Sharon, along
with their three children, Jim Soracco, Jeannie Benton and Carole
Somma. He will be dearly missed by many cousins, nieces and
nephews. Bob was a wonderful, compassionate and fun-loving man who
was loved and admired by his many friends and all who met him. A
Memorial Service was held on Sunday, December 8, 2002 in
Cloverdale. A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, December 9 at St.
John the Baptist Catholic Church, Healdsburg with entombment held
at Oak Mound Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the St.
John’s School Fund.