Donald Floyd Rigali, 78, of Southern California, departed to eternal life on March 13, 2024, in Covina, CA, while Gloria (his bride of 61 years) held his hand.
A Celebration of Life is to be announced.

He was born on October 19, 1945, in Hermosa Beach, CA, to Robert Ferdinand Rigali and Nancy Ann Minerva (Bradley) Rigali. He loved his in-laws, Clarence Benjamin Dixon, Jr., and Lola Mae (Fisher) Dixon, as parents. He grew up with three siblings: Diane Rigali, Robert Rigali, and Paul Rigali, and a cousin Connie (Delight) Garrett. During his childhood years, his bedroom was adorned with his hero, Hopalong “Hoppy” Cassidy.

He dearly missed his grandparents: Robert Joseph Rigali and Bessie “Nonna” Veronica (Novak) Rigali on his father’s side and David Samuel Bradley and Mary “Ma” Cannie (Welch) Bradley on his mother’s side.

Donald was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He was an amazing storyteller and his favorite story was how he met the girl of his dreams, 63 years earlier. He believed in love at first sight and enduring love for eternity.

A skilled Millwright with Local Union 1607 and Wrought Iron Artisan, he founded Custom Craft Iron Works in California and Rigali of Tuscany Artistic Iron Works in Texas. He was self-taught in AutoCAD, producing remarkable wrought iron creations, including designing, building, and installing spiral staircases.

A born-again believer, he found inspiration in the writings of AW Tozer and AB Simpson. He spent the last years of his life praying for the salvation of all his grandchildren.

He was a history and politics enthusiast. He enjoyed traveling the country, meeting relatives, and respectfully visiting old cemeteries to compile the family genealogy (for four decades). He was building computers for the family in the 1990s. He enjoyed shooting and took home numerous awards from pistol silhouette tournaments. His family fondly recalls the 4×4 off-road adventures, camping, and fishing with him. He had a passion for photography, gardening, and canning with his beloved wife.

In the last years of his life, even with Alzheimer’s, he would sing every night to his wife, “I love you, a bushel and a peck, A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck…”  Amazingly, he never forgot God or his family, including his grandchildren.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Gloria (Dixon) Rigali, his children C.R. (Wenona) Rigali, Julianne (Timothy) Rigali Lewis, and Kenneth Rigali, along with grandchildren Cory, Mike, Nick, Matt, Monique, Katarina, Brett, Levi, Anne, Reagan, and Bradley and three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Freya, and a baby yet to be born. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Rigali, sister-in-law Barbara (Lyles) Rigali, and cousin Connie (Delight) Garrett.

He began the best years of his life by taking Gloria’s hand and departed with her holding his hand. It fit the words of their song from Elvis, “Take my hand. Take my whole life too. For I can’t help falling in love with you.” His last words to his wife (whom he called his angel on this earth) were, “I wish we had more time together.”