After college Gary returned to Morgan Hill to join his parents and two brothers at Emilio Guglielmo Winery

By Staff Report

Gary John Guglielmo, a third-generation member of Santa Clara County’s oldest continuously operated family winery unexpectedly passed away July 15 at his home in Post Falls, Idaho. Along with his two brothers, George E. and Eugene (Gene), Gary helped expand and guide the family winery established in Morgan Hill by their Italian emigrant grandparents, Emilio and Emilia Guglielmo in 1925 and continued by his parents.

Gary was born April 26, 1956 in San Jose to George W. Guglielmo and Madeline M. (Sordello) Guglielmo. He grew up in Morgan Hill on his family’s winery and vineyard on E. Main Avenue. Gary was in the first graduating class of St. Catherine Elementary, attended Bellarmine Prep High School in San Jose, and graduated from the University of Nevada Reno in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

After graduation Gary returned home to his family’s business to join his parents and two brothers at Emilio Guglielmo Winery, Inc. He served as an integral part of the winery, including his roles in sales and general management until his retirement in 2017, where he worked closely with his brothers to enlarge and enhance the national distribution network, which introduced the family’s wines to a much broader audience across the nation. They also focused on broadening and diversifying the winery’s visitor base by the creation and promotion of their Villa Emile Event Center and Piazza de Maddalena, which has served as host to many public, private and community oriented special events and weddings. The fourth generation is currently involved in the daily operations, ensuring the family tradition will continue to thrive.

The Guglielmo family has consistently supported a diverse range of community events and causes, accumulating numerous awards and recognitions including the Leadership Morgan Hill Excellence Award in 2004 for outstanding community leadership, the Italian American Heritage Foundation of San Jose, California, Business and Professional Achievement Award 2004, induction into the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Business Hall of Fame in 2016, as well as being named the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year for 2016.

Gary had many hobbies and interests including water and motor sports, heli-skiing, sprint car racing and scuba diving. He was also a private pilot and a member of many local organizations including Morgan Hill Fish and Game, FBI Club (Full Blooded Italians) as well as a parishioner at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Morgan Hill and a co-founder of Guglielmo’s Hope, Inc. a foundation created to help orphans around the world. He especially loved to travel with his family.

Gary is survived by his wife Ginger Hendrickson Guglielmo, children Gregorio, Giuliana and Gia Guglielmo — all of Post Falls, Idaho, and Cody Butler and wife Jasmine, Michael and Alexa Guglielmo of Reno, Nev. Also surviving are brothers, George and wife Jan Guglielmo and Gene and wife Laura Guglielmo all of Morgan Hill, as well as eight nieces and nephews and two grandchildren. Gary was truly loved by many friends and everyone who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing him.