Honorable Judge Agustus Accurso passed away this month at the age of 80.
Auggie was born in Queens Village, New York, August 15, 1930 to Antonino and Stefania Giglione Accurso. He came to California in 1940 and settled in Redwood City.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ceil Accurso; three children, James Anthony Jacob Accurso, Karen (Richard) Abbott, and Stephanie (Oscar) Avila; six grandchildren, David Avila, Christopher Avila, Rachelle Avila, Anjuli Avila, David Abbott and Nicole Abbott –Atkinson; one great-grandson, Nolan Atkinson; three brothers Charles, Alfred and Richard Accurso; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Auggie graduated from San Jose State College with a B.S. Degree, the University of Utah with a Pharm. D. degree, and once again, the University of Utah, with a Degree of Juris Doctor. Auggie and Ceil moved to Turlock in 1957 to begin his career in pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist in Turlock, Hilmar and Modesto until his return to school for his law degree. He worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah, a Deputy District Attorney for Stanislaus County, and then he entered private practice in the law firm of Aguilar, Louis and Accurso in Modesto. He was appointed to the bench in 1973, where he remained until his retirement.
Through his career as a judge he was able to enjoy other assignments. His favorite assignments were the three months he served as a Justice on the 5th District Court of Appeals, and his time as Dean of the Judges College, Boalt Hall, at Berkeley. He was a visiting Judge throughout the state of California until he “really retired” in December, 2008. His last assignment was in Weed.
He was active in several organizations including Sons of Italy in America; member of Modesto Lodge #2021; Past State President of the Grand Lodge of California, a member of the National Commission for Social Justice, Recipient of Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity presented by the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Turlock, a Paul Harris Fellow and Past President, a past board member of the Salvation Army of Turlock. E Clampus Vitus, Past Noble Grand Humbug, Estanislao Chapter.
He will be remembered for his wisdom, love and warmth, but mostly for the laughter that he brought to all.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 at Allen Mortuary. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 South Walnut Road in Turlock.
Donations can be made in his memory to Salvation Army of Turlock, 893 Lander Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380 or American Heart Association Memorial, Data Processing Department, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94010-1795 (or online www.americanheart.org) or Sons of Italy Scholarship Program, Western Foundation, 5051 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94112.
Allen Mortuary in charge of arrangements, please share your memories to www.allenmortuary.com
Auggie was born in Queens Village, New York, August 15, 1930 to Antonino and Stefania Giglione Accurso. He came to California in 1940 and settled in Redwood City.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ceil Accurso; three children, James Anthony Jacob Accurso, Karen (Richard) Abbott, and Stephanie (Oscar) Avila; six grandchildren, David Avila, Christopher Avila, Rachelle Avila, Anjuli Avila, David Abbott and Nicole Abbott –Atkinson; one great-grandson, Nolan Atkinson; three brothers Charles, Alfred and Richard Accurso; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Auggie graduated from San Jose State College with a B.S. Degree, the University of Utah with a Pharm. D. degree, and once again, the University of Utah, with a Degree of Juris Doctor. Auggie and Ceil moved to Turlock in 1957 to begin his career in pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist in Turlock, Hilmar and Modesto until his return to school for his law degree. He worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah, a Deputy District Attorney for Stanislaus County, and then he entered private practice in the law firm of Aguilar, Louis and Accurso in Modesto. He was appointed to the bench in 1973, where he remained until his retirement.
Through his career as a judge he was able to enjoy other assignments. His favorite assignments were the three months he served as a Justice on the 5th District Court of Appeals, and his time as Dean of the Judges College, Boalt Hall, at Berkeley. He was a visiting Judge throughout the state of California until he “really retired” in December, 2008. His last assignment was in Weed.
He was active in several organizations including Sons of Italy in America; member of Modesto Lodge #2021; Past State President of the Grand Lodge of California, a member of the National Commission for Social Justice, Recipient of Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity presented by the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Turlock, a Paul Harris Fellow and Past President, a past board member of the Salvation Army of Turlock. E Clampus Vitus, Past Noble Grand Humbug, Estanislao Chapter.
He will be remembered for his wisdom, love and warmth, but mostly for the laughter that he brought to all.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 at Allen Mortuary. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 South Walnut Road in Turlock.
Donations can be made in his memory to Salvation Army of Turlock, 893 Lander Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380 or American Heart Association Memorial, Data Processing Department, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94010-1795 (or online www.americanheart.org) or Sons of Italy Scholarship Program, Western Foundation, 5051 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94112.
Allen Mortuary in charge of arrangements, please share your memories to www.allenmortuary.com
