Larry Dovichi was born to Elia Dovichi and Mary Serafini on May 1, 1939 in Reno Nevada. He passed away at the age of 84 on November 14, 2023 after a short battle with cancer. In 1957, Larry graduated from Downey High School where he had met the love of his life, Joy Ferreira. They married in 1959 and had two daughters. He enlisted in the Nation Guard, became a second lieutenant and served during the Watts Rebellion in 1965. After moving to Modesto, Larry worked with his father who was a partner in the Modesto Garbage Company. He eventually went to work at The Modesto Bee from where he retired 41 years later. Larry started as a salesperson and eventually managed the sales department where he cultivated an environment of family and friends that is his legacy. He considered getting his job at The Bee to be one of the luckiest days of his life behind meeting Joy. After a short time of being retired he decided he wasn’t quite ready. In 2005 he decided to take on the challenge of Advertising Director at the Merced Sun-Star. He spent three successful years there before finally deciding he was ready to retire again. Even after retirement and up until his passing he continued his journey consulting for 209 Magazine.
He and Joy were long time members of Spring Creek Golf and Country Club where Larry served on the Board of Directors from 1997 to 1999. He was president of the board in 1999. He continued serving on several committees including the Handicap & Grounds up until his passing. He also served on the Central Catholic Foundation and helped establish the James Dovichi Memorial Scholarship. Larry enjoyed spending time gardening in his backyard, golfing, fly fishing, traveling, reading, and helping others. Larry was a humble and unpretentious man who would give you the shirt off his back. Larry was preceded in death by wife Joy and his parents Elia and Mary Dovichi along with his step father, Carlo Rossi, father and mother in law, Ed and Alice Ferreira, brothers Jim and Lee Dovichi as well as his son in law, Rob Braden. Larry is survived by his two daughters Andrea Alzmann (Chis), Lisa Braden (Rob), sister and brother in law Claire and Mike Simi along with nieces and nephews including Lori Pecchenino (Jim), Matt Simi (Linda), Dana Kruger (Jim), Alicia Acar (Izzy), Eric Dovichi (Jennifer), Erin Ridenour (Jerry), Casey Coddington and Keith Dovichi. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Fatima in Modesto on November 28, 2023. His burial will follow at Ripon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Larry, donations may be made to the Jim Dovichi Memorial Scholarship Fund at Central Catholic High School, 200 S. Carpenter Road, Modesto CA 95351. Lisa Dovichi-Braden, Realtor RE/MAX Executive 209-484-9533
