Alfred Ranieri

Alfred “Fred” Joseph Ranieri was born on August 20, 1959 in Northridge, California to Alfredo and Stella Ranieri. He was raised in the San Fernando Valley, and he helped his dad run Alfredo’s Italian Deli from the time he was four years old. He loved his family, his childhood dog Tony, and playing baseball. Baseball was his favorite sport, and it was something he excelled at. He played first base and was a homerun hitter. He graduated from Reseda High School in 1977, and he went on to play minor league baseball.
He met the love of his life, Diana, at an Italian wedding on May 6, 1978. They instantly bonded over baseball. They dated for five and a half years while he worked and finished college. The foundation of their relationship was built upon church, family, baseball, and the occasional Sunday at the lake on their catamaran. Fred and Diana got married on September 3, 1983 at St. Rose of Lima Church, and they had a beautiful reception at the Odyssey. Their honeymoon was the first of many cruises to come.
Fred worked as an auditor at Farmers Insurance and UCLA. He also worked as a banker for Great Western and Wells Fargo, in addition to being a licensed income tax consultant on the side. In 1991, he got his real estate license and co-founded California Gold Properties. Fred also earned his MBA in Management Information Systems from California Lutheran University, and he was a very proud CLU Alumni. Of all of his job titles, his favorite was “Dad”.
In 1991, Fred and Diana were blessed with twins, their first son Alfredo and their daughter Stella. Fred worked three jobs to provide well for his family so that Diana could stay home and take care of the children. In 1999, they were blessed with their second son, Paul. When Paul was only four months old, Fred took his family on their first of many family cruises to Alaska. Fred prioritized making memories with his family, which also included many trips to Disneyland, every amusement park, and anywhere by the ocean. He knew that memories and time spent together were more valuable than material things.
Fred’s kids could always count on him to be there at everything; every school function, every classroom party, every dance recital, coaching P.E. at Wood Ranch Elementary, and coaching their baseball and soccer teams. He helped coach countless teams at Grace Brethren Youth Sports, Grace Brethren High School, Simi Youth Baseball, and Oak Park High School. Fred loved being involved with his kids’ sports teams and making a positive impact in the lives of the kids he coached.
He was always there for his family for all of the big moments, small moments, and everything in between. Fred was so proud of his kids when they graduated high school and college, and he was always their biggest supporter. He encouraged them to chase their dreams no matter what. He was always there for his nieces and nephews too. Fred was the rock of his family in every way, and he always led by example.
He was the strongest man we’ve ever known and an incredible fighter. Fred battled ALS with courage and strength, never giving up. No matter what challenge presented itself, he always confronted it with a positive attitude and a smile. Though Fred’s physical strength became compromised at the end of his life, his true strength came from his faith in the Lord and his love for his family. We are certain that all of his strength has been renewed and he is spending eternity in paradise with Jesus.
Isaiah 40:31 - “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”