August 12, 2004

Stepping down Shadowbrook ‘Godfather’ passes the torch

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Ode to Georgio
“Almost heaven, our Shadowbrook,
Bret Harte Drive, swimmin’ in the pool.
Life is good here, good as it can be,
All because of Georgio, it’s his legacy…”
-Lyrics by resident Mike Wentz,
music by John Denver

For Georgio Secchi, managing the 318-member Shadowbrook Homeowners Association and Swim Club has been about passion and community involvement—a testament to 20-years of drive and dedication. It is an attitude that neighbors say has become a permanent part of their community, one that will live on even though he has stepped down. In his own words, it’s been, “Juicy juicy.”

According to residents, Shadowbrook is what it is because of him, and traditions are in place as a result of his unique ability to bring synergism to the neighborhood.

“He really knows how to bring people together for a common goal,” says past president Warren Begas.

He’s the brains behind keeping everything going,” adds long time friend Lee Ellis. “He’s a small town maestro of the community—a really good man with a wonderful charm.”

On Saturday, members gathered at the Shadowbrook Swim Club to honor Secchi, where he was recognized by the city of San Jose for his contribution to the community.

On behalf of Mayor Ron Gonzales, Vice Mayor Pat Dando, and the City Council, Denelle Fedor presented Secchi with a commendation praising him for his love and dedication to his Shadowbrook neighborhood; to his family, friends and the greater Almaden Valley. It also cited his devotion to his wife Cindy and their three children; Robbie, Marco and Christina, as well as his community participation in the YMCA Indian Guide program, the Shadowbrook Homeowners Association, the Almaden Homeowners Association, the task force plan for the Los Alamitos Creek trail development and the Almaden Valley Soccer and Baseball boards.

“He’s a champion of the neighborhood,” says Gale Infeld. “He has always made everything so much fun.”

Depending on whom you ask, Secchi has acquired many names over the years. While he is lovingly referred to as the Italian stallion, godfather, matriarch or maestro, he prefers, “chief cook and bottle washer.”

“This pool will never be the same without our Napoleon,” admits Secchi’s daughter Christina. “Whenever someone says, ‘you’re just like your dad,’ I think they’re the greatest shoes I can fill—he’s exactly the person I strive to be.”

Secchi immigrated to San Jose in 1967 from a small town in Italy to pursue a career in the nuclear field. After taking up temporary residences in Chicago, Massachusetts, North Carolina and New York, he returned with his family to Almaden in 1980, where he set out to meet people in the area.

“All us Italians are pretty outspoken,” he explains. “When I came here, I didn’t know anyone. Now look at all these beautiful people I’ve met. These are all my friends. I found a home away from home here—and that’s what it’s all about.”

Never one to accept accolades well, Secchi wiped back a tear as one after another took to the microphone to boast of their friend.

“Georgio is not without his warts and wrinkles, and that’s what makes him one of a kind,” explains Don Tietgens, who also credits Cindy Secchi with standing by her man. “But, behind every emperor, there is an empress.”

Along with Ellis, Secchi helped organize and cement the Shadowbrook Association Fun Run 15 years ago—now a staple in the annual celebration. He also holds the title of the only Italian Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty to grace the festivities.

“Fourth of July at Shadowbrook is beautiful,” he says. “I became an American in 1991—God bless America!”
Throughout the evening, members found themselves musing over a luau they held one year, complete with a pig roast and fruity umbrella drinks—in true Hawaiian style.

“We put that thing on the pit ourselves and started at 4:30 in the morning,” Secchi laughs. “Everybody was having such a good time that we forgot about it and it burnt. So we gave him glasses and put an apple in his mouth.”

The experiences however, have not been all fun and games, as Secchi remembers facing drug addicts and homeless people gathering along the borders of Shadowbrook’s pool facing Almaden Expressway in 1985—a problem that forced the board to restructure the grounds. The improvement not only secured the perimeter of the pool, it created a more secluded and peaceful environment for its members—and remains that way today.

“I remember when this neighborhood needed a lot of work,” he says.

And much like the effort currently underway, Secchi also recalls trying to pull the community together that same year to build sports fields for the kids and is saddened by the current events that threaten the project.

“We failed them then,” he says. “And unfortunately we’re going to fail now I guess.”

As the community steward, Secchi has been instrumental in building a new clubhouse and replacing the roof at 36-year old community pool. Members credit his “heart and soul” with keeping the association cohesive and although it’s not a done deal, there’s talk of naming the building Secchi Hall in his honor.

“We could have lived here two years or 20 years,” states Gary Rummelhoff. “We couldn’t have found a better neighborhood. A lot of that has to do with the sense of community that Georgio has created here.”

At the helm since February, new president Chris Monohan moved to the Shadowbrook community 27 years ago with his wife Sue and their children. Although he values the roll that will enable his grandchildren to enjoy what he has grown to love, he insists Secchi is one of a kind. “I’ll never fill his shoes,” he admits.

Without the experience of the “old” board, Monohan is grateful that Secchi will still be on hand to help.

“He’s made it fun and uplifting—an endeavor that people want to join into,” says Jan Reynolds, who cut her vacation short to attend the event. “This has a feeling of an old-time neighborhood and Georgio is one of its beauties. We want him to know what a blessing he has been to every person here—he is the cornerstone of this community.”

Although he now has plenty of time on his hands, Secchi says his participation won’t stop there.
“I think I’ll get involved in something else,” he says. “I really enjoy politics.”

“We tried to incorporate Almaden in 1979,” Ellis adds. “Maybe we’ll try again. Georgio would make a great mayor.”
Rummelhoff agrees. “There’s only one mayor in Almaden Valley, and he’s it.”