Val "Jim" James Bertoni

Val James “Jim” Bertoni passed peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on October 15, 2024, at age 86, at his home in Roseville, CA. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, sons Malcolm James Bertoni (Anne Smith), Val Jerome Bertoni (Laurie Weitz), and Vincent Paul Bertoni (Damon Hein); brother John Bertoni (Debbie); grandchildren Nicola Smith Bertoni Dedmon, Milan Bertoni, Andrew Weitz, and Julia Weitz; many loving nieces and nephews, and scores of good friends. He was preceded in death by his sister Marlene Milton.

 Jim was a proud native son of Sacramento, born the second child of Val John and Vera Bertoni in 1938. Jim attended Sacred Heart elementary school and graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1956, where he was a boxer and a baseball catcher. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1956 to 1962. Jim was a newspaper carrier for the Sacramento Bee as a youth, and later became a District Manager in the Bee’s circulation department, where he met his future wife, Carolyn Williams. Jim and Carolyn were married in Sacred Heart Parish Church in March 1962, and settled into his childhood home on 38thStreet. Jim joined the Sacramento City Fire Department in 1963, and served as an Engineer for many years until his retirement in 1993. In 1972 Jim moved the family to a home in the Lakeview Hills subdivision in Loomis, which he built with the help of his firemen brothers. A few years later, he built another home in Lakeview Hills, and then in 1979 moved the family to a 40-acre farm at the edge of Loomis, near Sierra College, where Jim learned to raise cattle, pigs, and chickens. Jim and Carolyn sold the farm in 2017 and moved to a home along Cirby Creek in Roseville.

 Jim’s love of the outdoors was reflected in the many family camping and hiking trips, white water rafting the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon twice, and climbing Half Dome in Yosemite National Park at 70 years old. Jim and Carolyn loved the Pacific Ocean and enjoyed for many years their cabin in Anchor Bay. They visited all 50 states, all but three of the Canadian provinces, had many camping trips to Baja California Mexico, and toured many other destinations around the world. They particularly loved their trips to Italy. They also enjoyed taking ocean cruises to a variety of ports around the world, along the way becoming fond of “mudslide” cocktails. 

 Jim always contributed to the community, eager to help neighbors with repairs, and volunteering his time and hands-on skills for projects. He was a die-hard (and frustrated) 49er fan and longtime season ticket holder. In later years, he was an avid cyclist with the Camaraderie Riders, organizing popular birthday rides of his age in miles up to his 84th. Jim was a member of the Capitol A’s Ford Model A automobile club; he enjoyed driving his beautifully restored 1929 Model A flat-bed truck in parades. 

 The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who have offered support during this difficult time.

 Family graveside burial service will be at East Lawn Memorial Park, in Sacramento. A celebration of Jim’s life is being planned for November.

 In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Jim’s name to the Sacramento Regional Fire Museum. Please make check payable to Pioneer Mutual H&L Society and mail to PO Box 981524, West Sacramento, CA