Ronald Nicolino Obituary

Durango native Ronald Garry Nicolino died of cancer in La Conner, Wash., on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. He was 69.

Mr. Nicolino was born to James and Pearl Hafling Nicolino at the old Mercy Hospital in Durango on Dec. 21, 1939. His great-grandparents Albert and Anna Reece and grandparents, Charles and Mary Reece Green Hafling homesteaded in Falfa on the Florida Mesa. Both of his parents grew up in Durango, and the Nicolino family moved to California during World War II.

Mr. Nicolino attended school in Palo Alto, Calif.

He served for 4½ years as a sonar operator in the Navy in the submarine service.

Mr. Nicolino taught piano and organ before graduating from the University of California at Berkeley with a master's degree in architecture. His family said he had a successful business in construction of both boats and buildings in Point Richmond, Calif. He restored numerous Victorian homes in San Francisco and the surrounding area.

Mr. Nicolino had a common-law marriage to Kathleen Muldoon, and the couple had two children.

He retired four years ago and moved to La Conner.

Mr. Nicolino became well-known in Northern California for his fight against sexism. He made world headlines with his "Big Giant Bra Ball." It earned him a spot in Ripley's "Believe it or Not." He also organized a mile-long string of sand breasts along Stinson Beach with hundreds of volunteers using plastic molds to create them.

Mr. Nicolino is survived by his daughters, Ruby Nicolino of Crockett, Calif., and Lily Nicolino of El Sobrante, Calif.; mother, Pearl Nicolino, of Roseville, Calif.; brother James Nicolino of Jacksonville, Fla.; two grandchildren; and numerous extended family members still in the Four Corners.

A memorial service will be held in the fall in Point Richmond.