1929–2024
JC (Bill) Fumagalli passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 5, 2024, after 94 years of living a happy and eventful life, married to his loving wife, Patsy Exum, for 63 years. Patsy preceded him in death in 2014.
Bill was born to Julius and Mary Bird Fumagalli on Setpember 9, 1929 on the J.A. and Beulah K Bird ranch in Verbena, Texas.
He started school in Verbena and attended regular classes through the years until the Verbena school merged with the Post school.
After graduating from Post High School in 1946, he moved to Roswell, N.M., to attend the New Mexico Military Institute, where he spent the next four years moving up in rank to Captain. While there, he became a decorated polo player and boxing champion for two years and garnered an award for the highest individual standard of good sportsmanship, among many other awards and accomplishments.
On June 6, 1950, he graduated from NMMI, married his sweetheart, Patsy Exum, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Bill was a tank commanding officer in Germany during the Korean War.
After the end of his military service, he and Patsy led a life of hard work and adventure, raising four children while cattle ranching in Texas, Colorado, and British Columbia, Canada. Through this whole time of ranching Bill would gather his family up and drive the 40- to 50-mile round trip to go to church EVERY Sunday.
After moving on from the cattle business, he enrolled in Simon Fraser University, where he received his teaching certificate and taught school in Canada until his retirement.
He and Patsy moved to their cabin on Galiano Island overlooking Active Pass on the Salish Sea. Here, they spent many happy years during which he enjoyed making wine, fishing, listening to music, and emailing photos and happy messages to his kids and grandkids.
He is survived by his children Sharon Skonetski (Gene), Danny Fumagalli (Jennifer), Jim Fumagalli (Susan) and Debra Cullinane (Colleen). He is also survived by his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren Jenifer Irato (Todd) with children Alexander, James and Olivia; Josh Fumagalli (Sarah) with child Tessa; Amberleigh Brownson with children Aaliyah and Tristan; Will Fumagalli (Nicole) with children Kendal, Emersen, Colton, Mikayla, Alexa and Jonny; Andrew Fumagalli (Tina); Brandon Powell (Erin) with children Kaeden and Weston; and Jon Powell (Diana) with children Sydney and Emily.
We want to thank all of Bill’s many friends and family members who have shown him so much love and kindness over the years. A celebration of life for Bill will be held at a later date.