Harold Giddings

Harold L. Giddings, formerly of Santa Rosa, died Feb. 12, 2008, while in the care of hospice and living with his niece Nancy and her husband Herman in San Jose. He was 80 years old.

Giddings was born Aug. 11, 1927, in Yuba City and enjoyed a happy childhood in Sycamore. He graduated from Colusa High School in 1945. Following high school he served in the U.S. Army and the Merchant Marines. He learned his cooking skills while a Merchant Marine and subsequently worked for Standard Oil (now Chevron) as a cook on various oil tankers.

Upon retirement from Standard Oil, he owned and operated Bradley’s Corner, a neighborhood tavern in San Francisco. Giddings enjoyed bartending as well as cooking and serving appetizers or dinner a couple of nights a week.

After selling Bradley’s, Giddings moved to Guerneville and ultimately Santa Rosa where he enjoyed biking on scenic trails and meeting new friends. He made frequent trips to Grimes to visit his mother, relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. May 17 at Grand Island Cemetery. The service will honor Giddings, his mother Emma “Louise” (Hall) Heise and his “favorite” Aunt Kate (Hall) Summy. A reception will follow in Grimes.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grimes Community Church or to any local animal welfare organization.