Person Page - 203

     Mary Fenech died on 1 February 1965. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Thomas Fenech died on 24 February 1915. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Nicolina Larosa was born in 1915. She married Alexander Vincent Frendo, son of Matthew Frendo and Marianna Azzopardi, on 18 November 1950 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Nicolina Larosa died on 9 February 1994 at San Francisco, CA, USA. She was buried on 17 February 1994 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA; Alexander & Lena are on Carlson GS.
     Nicolina Larosa was also known as Lena Carlson. As of 18 November 1950,her married name was Frendo.¹
Obituary: on 11 February 1994: FRENDO, Nlcodna (Lena) — At rest February 9,1994. Beloved wife of Alexander Frendo; loving mother of Barbara Raeon; dear sister of Mary Pascoe; adored grandmother of George Cardiel Jr.. Jay & Julie Justice; great grandmother of Blanca Justice & Yusef Cardiel. A native of San Francisco; aged 78 years.
Nicolina Larosa was also known as Lena Larosa.¹

     Charles Frendo was born in 1915. He married Josephine (?) Charles Frendo died on 6 May 1988 at San Francisco, CA, USA. He was buried on 10 May 1988 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
      Obituary: on 8 May 1988: FRENDO, Charles At rest. May 6, 1988; dearly beloved husband of Josephine Frendo; loving father of Alfred Frendo and Mary Nunes; adored grandfather of Jennifer, Heather and David Frendo and Joseph and Fredrick Pankratius; great-grandfather of Laura Pankratius; father-in-law of Pattie Frendo and Bob Nunes; a native of Malta; aged 73 years.

     Josephine (?) was born on 13 April 1922 in Valletta, Malta. She married Charles Frendo. Josephine (?) died on 14 April 2004 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 82; also May 14, 2004. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Frendo.
Obituary: : Passed away peacefully Friday, May 14, 2004. A resident of San Francisco for 52 years, born in Valletta, Malta on April 13, 1922. Mother of Fred Frendo and the late Mary Nunes. Grandmother of Joey (Lynn) and Fred Pankratius and Jennifer, Heather, and David Frendo. Great-grandmother of Laura, Paula and Jaclyn Pankratius and Tevin Woodard Frendo. Friends may visit after 4:00 PM on Wednesday and are invited to attend the Vigil Service also on Wednesday at 7:00 PM and the Funeral Liturgy on Thursday at 9:30 AM at the chapels of Valente Marini Perata & Co., 4840 Mission St., SF. Committal at Holy Cross Cemetery. Valente Marini Perata & Co. Funeral Directors San Francisco
(415) 333-0161.

     Alfred Frendo was born in October 1943. He married Patty Ruth Byrd on 16 November 1968 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Alfred Frendo graduated in 1961 at Balboa High School, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Alfred Frendo was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 14 January 1973: Street interview: Fred Frendo: car service advisor; 10 King PJaza. Daly City : On wife swapping, or something like that. I put my foot down.'but. most of it I go along with. If two people want to live together. I don’t say. .^"Oh, ugly: nasty.'* In my personal life I’m more conservative. There-s been no need to do anything, else.. We used to spend time at each others' place before we were married. but 1 don't call that Living together. •.
He was living in 2020 in Windsor, CA, USA.

     Mary Frendo was born in 1941. She married Rudolph J Pankratius on 21 February 1959 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Mary Frendo and Rudolph J Pankratius were divorced in January 1967. Mary Frendo married Robert Nunes. Mary Frendo died before 2004.
     As of 21 February 1959,her married name was Pankratius. Her married name was Nunes.

     Robert Nunes married Mary Frendo, daughter of Charles Frendo and Josephine (?).

     Annunzinta Galea was born on 16 October 1889. He died on 10 February 1924 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 34. He was buried on 12 February 1924 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
      Obituary: on 12 February 1924: GALEA In this city. February 10, 1924. Annunzinta Galea, dearly beloved son of Rosa and the late John Galea, loving brother of Angelo, Grezia, Tirza and Carmilla Galea, a native of Malta, aged 34 years, 3 months, 27 days.

     Doris Mary Bartlett was born on 16 November 1920 in Seattle, WA, USA. She married Anthony Michael Galea, son of Joseph Galea and Alice Felicia Vella. Doris Mary Bartlett died on 11 March 2004 at American Canyon, CA, USA, at age 83. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Galea.
Obituary: on 14 March 2004: Galea, Doris Bartlett — November 16, 1920 - March 11.2004
Doris Bartlett Galea, 83, of American Canyon died Thursday at home following a long Illness. A native of Washington, Mrs. Galea lived most of her life In San Francisco and has lived In American Canyon the past 15 years. She was a secretary for various employers. She Is survived by her husband of 55 years. Anthony and her daughter, Anne.

Doris Mary Bartlett Father:      Earl H Bartlett
Mother:      Rose L Golden.

     Carol A. Galea died on 9 May 2002. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Cristino Galea was born in 1895 in Malta. He died on 13 June 1936. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Paul Joseph Galea was born on 9 February 1920 in Mosta, Malta. He married Evelyn Alice Salter circa 1975. Paul Joseph Galea died on 3 February 1999 at Daly City, CA, USA, at age 78. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was A banker in 1950.

Paul Joseph Galea was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was President of Maltese American Social Club, 1957, 1958; Ass. Treasurer, 56; Treaurer, 1968 in 1957 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club between 1957 and 1999 at San Francisco, CA, USA. He was had the following children: stepchildren Arturo, Joe, Alma and Frank.
Obituary: on 5 February 1999: GALEA, Paul Joseph Passed away on February 3, 1999 In Daly City at the age of 78 years. A native of Mosta, Malta and lived In San Francisco for many years. Mr. Galea was a real estate broker and a member of the Maltese Club of San Francisco. Survived by his loving wife of 24 years Evelyn Galea of San Francisco' loving stepchildren Arturo, Joe, Alma and Frank; loving caring step-grandchlldren Evelyn, Joseph, Arturo, Jennifer. Franklin and Shane: two brothers Charles and John: and two sisters Lilly and Maria; two nieces Joyce Nolan and Phyllis Galea.

     Evelyn Alice Salter was born on 12 July 1921. She married Paul Joseph Galea, son of (?) Galea, circa 1975. Evelyn Alice Salter died on 21 April 2011 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 89. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Galea. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club between 1957 and 1999 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 25 April 2011: Evelyn A. Galea passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 21, 2011 at the age of eighty-nine. Beloved wife of the late Paul J. Galea; loving mother of Arthur and Joe Castillo and Frank and Alma Salter. She was the caring grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of seven. Dear sister to Hazel and Larry Salter.

     Filomena Catania was born on 13 May 1902 in Mosta, Malta. She married George Galea, son of Joseph Galea and Alexandria (?), on 23 September 1923 at Mosta, Malta. Filomena Catania died on 13 January 1990 at Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA, at age 87. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Galea. She emigrated from Malta on 8 December 1924 to New York, NY, USA. She and George Galea were listed in the 1930 US Census age 31, Pool Hall clerk in San Bruno, CA, USA. Filomena Catania and George Galea were listed in the 1940 US Census age 41, eight grade educ; pool room owner; and niece Salvina Galea in Kains Ave, San Bruno, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Filomena Catania was naturalized on 19 May 1959 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 14 January 1990: GALEA, Filoména — In Burlingame, January 13, 1990; a resident of San Bruno; loving mother of Joseph Galea of Mt. View, Charles Galea of San Bruno and Elizabeth Amis of Mt. View; dear sister of Manuel Catania of Burlingame and Sam Catania of San Bruno: also survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a native of Malta; age 87 years.
Filomena Catania was also known as Mena.

     George Galea was born on 7 October 1898 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He was issued a Maltese Passport on 27 March 1923. Declared destination was New Orleans, LA, USA. He married Filomena Catania, daughter of Carmelo Catania and Elizabeth Sammut, on 23 September 1923 at Mosta, Malta. George Galea died on 18 November 1982 at San Bruno, CA, USA, at age 84. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Biography Barbara Fenech - : He arrived at an early age in New Orleans to be with an uncle, who gave him a job as a cook. But that was not for George. Not sure when he came to the Bay Area, around the late 1920s or early 1930s. I think you could guess how he was making a living in those days. One thing lead to another; the country was getting back on it's feet; George was learning the names of horses and race tracks. He became very interested in thoroughbred horses. He studyied and read whatever he could get his hands on. In meantime he opened a cocktail lounge in San Bruno, Ca. With good money coming in, in 1941 he bought Rancho San Miguel in Santa Rosa, CA., a 60 acre ranch. It became a Bed & Breakfast ranch for thoroughbred horses between the racing season. Everyone called it "The Ranch". He built a stable for 22 horses. His prize stud horse was "He Did" (which currently is a street lane near the ranch). His horses competed in horseraces for several decades, into the 1970s. He was frequently mentioned in the SF newspapers in regards to his horses racing at various tracks. One horse named "I'm Ed". My grandfather Charles Aquilina had a great way with animals and worked on the ranch until he retired. We were most fortunate to spend our school vacation each summers at the ranch and most weekends. He bought additional acres. One of his horses beat the famous Seabiscuit.¹
     He emigrated from Malta in 1914 to New Orleans, LA, USA. He was naturalized on 20 June 1922 at New Orleans, LA, USA. He and Filomena Catania were listed in the 1930 US Census age 31, Pool Hall clerk in San Bruno, CA, USA. George Galea and (?) Maltese Owned Businesses were Maltese Business Owned and bartended a pool hall across the street from Artichoke Joe's pool hall in San Bruno. He owned Rancho San Miguel in Santa Rosa. He bred racehorses and rented out space in his stable to other thoroughbred owners. Some of the people who rented stable space from him included Hollywood actors, Fred McMurray and George Brent. He lost his racing license for a period in 1946. His race horses were listed in the Chronicle 132+ times until the late 1970s. in 1930.
George Galea bought property in 1932 at San Bruno, CA, USA. George Galea was in the Legal System for his single gambling and bookmaking arrest; later graduated to being a racing horse owner in 1937.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 26 June 1937: $1,000 CONFISCATED, 6 ARRESTED IN RAIDS: 2 Bookmaking Places Listed By Prober Hit San Bruno’s Notorious Resorts Were Others Belasco Visited
Six men were arrested, more than $1000 in betting money confiscated, and gambling and horse race wagering equipment seized in two raids carried out by the sheriff’s office and police late yesterday in San Bruno, gambling “sore spot” in the eyes of the grand jury. Openly committed to a policy which leaves city gambling troubles up to the municipalities themselves. Sheriff James J, McGrath said today the raids were staged “at the insistence of the grand jury and in co-operation with San Bruno police."
Resorts raided were the San Bruno Pool Hall, operated by George Galea, 39, and Artichoke Joe's Pool Room, run by Joe Sammut, 53, familiarly known as “Artchoke Joe.” Four men were arrested in the raid on Artichoke Joe’s. the proprietor and Harold Magnuson, 32. for book-making, and Joe Sammut Jr., 21, and Armand Wright, 30, for assertedly running a crap game.
TWO ‘BOOKS’ IN PLACE
Undersheriff Lawrence Nieri, who led this raid, assisted by Chief William Maheer of the San Bruno police, and Deputy Sheriff Adolph Waldeck, said that Magnuson and Sammut Sr. were operating separate “books” in the same establishment. The sum of $894.50 in cash was seized on Magnuson’s desk, while Sammut's counter yielded $88 in bets. The crap table, laid out on a pool table, produced $159.25 in confiscated bets. At the San Bruno Pool Hall, also located on San Mateo avenue, Deputy Sheriffs Thomas Maloney and Hugh Williams and Officer Arthur Britton of the San Bruno force arrested Galea and Kenneth McLeod. 25. charging both with book-making. Only $44.80 in bets was confiscated. Booking sheets, race forms and loud-speaker equipment were seized in both raids.
CUSTOMERS UNMOLESTED
Fifteen customers in Galea’s establishment. and 25 in Sammut’s were not molested by the officers. The six men arrested spent only three quarters of an hour in jail, the accused book-makers winning their release on $250 bail each, while the asserted crap-game operators posted $100 each. The bail was set by Judge Wade H. Clay of Daly City. McLeod is the same young man who stood trial for a morals charge against a woman and won acquittal here last year from a jury in Judge A. R. Cotton’s court. He was also arrested in the 1936 raid on Caldwell’s resort in Belmont. For this latter arrest he paid a $100 fine for book-making, according to the district attorney's office records.
JURORS PLEASED
Grand Jury Secretary C. M. Doxsee expressed pleasure when informed of the raids. He admitted that San Bruno had been considered by the inquisitors a "sore spot" as to gambling conditions. "At one of our first meetings we asked Chief Maher to co-operate with us, and he said he would, Doxsee said. "But from reports, apparently the situation there continued." The raids leave unmolested only one of the five resorts named as active book-making establishments in the report of “Benny the Duck” Belasco, which the Grand Jury did not ask for and would not pay for.
It was also recalled that the investigator’s report referred to San Bruno as "the fountainhead of gambling in San Mateo county." an echo of Edwin N. Atherton's report on San Francisco vice conditions. naming the McDonough brothers as "the fountainhead of corruption" in San Francisco.
KNOWN TO POLICE
Further Belasco charged that Chief Maher "not only knows of the existence of both places (the two raided yesterday) but is on the most friendly of terms with both of these illegal operators." Meanwhile, at the request of (See BOOKMAKING. Page 8)
Bookmaking Places Raided (Continued from Page 1)
District Atty. Gilbert Ferrell, the trials of A. Olson of t he Menalto Inn in North Palo Allo. and Dent T. Fairless, of Bert’s Place, south of Redwood City on El Camino Real, alleged book-makers arrested in raids on two other resorts mentioned in the Belasco report were continued to July 2.
The trials have now been continued twice, according to Judge Edward I. McAuliffe. the first two times at the request of the defendants and with the consent of Ferrell, and yesterday at the instance of the district attorney alone.
In amplifying his statements on the causes back of the raids yesterday, McGrath said "I don't make it a policy to go into cities on raids unless I have to."
The raids on the San Bruno establishments, according to those well acquainted with the situation. The raids on the San Bruno establishments, according to those well acquainted with the situation, were the first held in 10 years, although the two resorts have assertedly been operating for this long.










George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 28 June 1937: Six Jailed in Gambling Raids
Two Alleged Bookies Taken In San Bruno -- “Heat On" in Northern End of County -- GRAND JURY ACTS -- McGrath Says He Moved In On Orders
The “heat was on" in the 1 northern part of San Mateo, county today with six men under arrest on gambling charges after a sensational double raid on two asserted bookies establishments in the San Bruno business district, and indications that other raids will follow.
Prompted by the county grand jury and in cooperation with n San Bruno police, deputies of Sheriff James J. McGrath late yesterday swopped down on the San Mateo pool hall and Joe's pool room on San Mateo avenue, arrested the two proprietors and four other men and seized bookmaking paraphernalia and $1186.55 in cash.
Felony Charges
Arrested were George Galea, 39, proprietor, and Kenneth McLeod, 25, a clerk, at the San Mateo pool hall; "Artichoke" Joe Sammut, 53, proprietor, Harold J. Magnuson, 32, Joe Sammut Jr, 21, and Armand Wright, 30, clerk, at the Sammut pool hall.
Charged with felony gambling charges_r Galea, McLeod, Sammut Sr. and Magnuson were released on $250 bail each. The others, booked on misdemeanor gambling charges, were freed after posting $100 bail each.
The raids, staged simultaneously to prevent a "tip off" shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, were conducted at the insistence of the grand jury, according to Sheriff McGrath.
"Sore Spot," Charge
"I don't make it a practice to go into cities unless I have to.' McGrath explained. The grand jury has regarded San Bruno as "one of the. county's gambling sore spots," C. M. Doxsee, secretary, revealed. "The grand jury called this to the attention of Chief Maher and asked his co operation," Doxsee said. From reports received by the grand jury on the gambling- situation, this apparently has been allowed to continue." Authorities were understood as having been investigating gambling places in San Bruno and other parts of northern San Mateo county and indicated that additional raids would be staged. They turned to the northern front after conducting a series of similar raids in the southern part of the county. A three-week period of quiet followed triple raids on ... (Cont. p. 3)
Page 3
Six Jailed in Gambling Raids
’Th« Casino'* in Belmont, "Berl's Place" near Atherton and the "Menlo Inn" in North Palo Alto.
Racing Wire Service
Raiding officers reported finding racing wire service, loud speakers, form charts and other alleged bookmaking equipment at the two San Bruno pool halls.
About 15 persons in each place at the time of the raids were not arrested. Wright and young Sammut were’ said to have keen conducting a crap game, when Undersheriff Lawrence Nieri, Deputy Sheriff Adolph Waldeck and officer Arthur Brillain arrived at the Sammut pool hall. The dice game "pot" of $160.86 was seized. Sammut Sr. and Magnuson were officiating at the loud speakers, the officers said. Sammut had an $88 "pool" and Magnuson had $894.50. The raid on the San Bruno pool hall was staged by Deputy Sheriffs Thomas Maloney, Hugh Williams, and Police Chief Thomas Maloney. There the officers seized $44.90 in cash.
Accused by Woman
Records show that McLeod was acquitted by a jury in Superior Court Judge Aylett Colban's court, Redwood City, six months ago of a charge of attacking a San Francisco mother at San Bruno. He was later arrested in a Sheriff's gambling raid in Belmont and fined, authorities said.
The six arrested yesterday were taken to South San Francisco for arraignment before Justice of the Peace W. H. Clay in the absence of Judge R. A. Rapsey of San Bruno who is vacationing. He witnessed the Newspaper of Joseph Sammut and Maltese In the News on 2 July 1937 at San Mateo Times, San Mateo, CA, USA; San Bruno Men Up for Arraignment
Arraignment of the six San Bruno defendants on felony and misdemeanor charges is scheduled next Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the court of Justice Wade H. Clay, South San Francisco. George Galea, 39, Kenneth McLoad, 25; Joe Sammut, 53, and Harold Magnuson, 32, are charged with felony counts of bookmaking. Joe Sammut, Jr., 21, and Armand Wright, 30, face misdemeanor gambling charges. They were arrested in two raids by San Bruno police and deputies of Sheriff McGrath, a week ago. All are at liberty on bail.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 3 July 1937: REASON TOLD FOR REDUCING BOOK CHARGE
Same Procedure Slated For Other Suspects Seized in Raids
As Det Ally Gilbert Ferrell made plans to reduce felony charge against four more alleged book-makera to mislemeanors, Grand Jury Chairman Patrick Rotke took issue today with the district attorney over this policy. *1 ran’t see a way the charges should be reduced, Rorke asked. He promised that the matter would be brought up before the grand jury at the next session. Ferril, hewever, informed of the inquiertor’s stand, said he believed that when the jurors heard all the issues involved they would...
BOOKIE SUSPECTS
(Continued from Page 1) realize that he had done the right thing. Three book-makers, A. Olson, Dent Fairless and George Unselt, were fined $250 each yesterday after pleading guilty to reduced charges. "The same procedure will—prob- ably be followed against George Galeal ‘Artichoke Joe Sammut, Harold Magnuson and Kenneth McLeod," Ferrell announced. The quartet were arrested June 25 in San Bruno.
In support of his action in re- ducing the charges against the trio in court yesterday and the quartet who will face Justice Wade H. Clay in South San Francisco next Tuesday, Ferrell pointed out that a legal "hitch" made convic- tion of a book-maker on felony charges nearly impossible. The "hitch," Ferrell said, was explained in a ruling last December by Atty Gen. U. S. Webb.
Webb said that bets, whether made at the tracks or elsewhere, are legal if the sum wagered pass- es through the pari-mutuel ma- chines and the state draws its share. "This means," Ferrell said, "that in charging a man with a felony we have to prove that the bets he was handling when arrested were not intended or had not already been transferred to an agent at the tracks and been made legal by being passed through the pari-mutuel." "It would be up to us as prosecutors to prove this," Ferrell added. Under such conditions it is advis- able to reduce the charges and get the "bookies" to plead guilt y. rather than face a prolonged and difficult court fight that might prove futile, Ferrell explained.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 7 July 1937: Bookmakers in San Bruno Fined $250
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, July 7—Four book-makers were fined $250 each and two men charged with running a crap game were hit by $100 fines when persons arrested on June 25 by sheriff’s officers and police in a raid on two resorts in San Bruno appeared here late yesterday before Justice of the Peace Wade H. Clay. The $250 fines were paid by Joe Sammut, Kenneth McLeod. Harold Magnuson and George Galea, arrested in raids—on—"Artichoke Joe’s" and the San Bruno Pool. In the first resort, Armand Wright and Joe Sammut Jr. were running a crap game. They paid the $100 fines. More than $1000 in bets were seized in the raids.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 13 November 1939: Bruce Archer, 23. of 562 Baden avenue. South San Francisco, was in South City Hospital in critical condition after he was struck by a machine driven by George Galea of San Bruno on the Bayshore highway.
Archer died in South San Francisco Hospital at 1:35 a.m. today, the result of injuries received when he was struck by an automobile driven by George Galea, 40. San Bruno. South San Francisco police said the steel workerhad run across the highway near Butler Rd. directly in front of the car. The latter was not held. He was associated with Manuel G. Catania tavern dishwasher; next door to sister Filomena Catania Galea.
He wanted to be a jockey and work for Mina’s husband, George Galea, in the horse racing business which George owned. In those days, San Bruno was a center for gambling --- betting the horses and card games. George had a bar/restaurant card room next door to his home on Kains Avenue. Across the street was Manuel’s cousin’s place, “Artichoke Joe’s”, which had a bar/restaurant with outside card tables located in horse stalls with straw on the floor. Manuel was a bit too big to be a jockey, so he ended up representing George’s gambling operation in San Francisco. in 1940.
George Galea referred to as San Bruno sportsman; buys 15 boxing tickets for friends in 1940 at SF Examiner. He and Filomena Catania were listed in the 1940 US Census age 41, eight grade educ; pool room owner; and niece Salvina Galea in Kains Ave, San Bruno, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 26 February 1940: $20,780 Damages for Traffic Death Sought
REDWOOD CITY, George Galen of San Bruno was named defendant in a $20,780 damage suit filed today in superior court by William and Sarah Ann Archer for the death of their son, Edison B. Archer, 23, in a traffic accident November 12,1939. Young Archer was fatally injured when struck by a car driven by Galea while crossing Rayshore highway near Butler road, South San Francisco, according to the complaint.
Charles John Aquilina According to his granddaughter Barbara Fenech, Charles Aquilina had a farm near George's Rancho San Miguel; He raised chickens and had a route selling eggs to Maltese families. George Galea eventually asked Charles to work for him and Charles did, for 25 years. He had the ability of a horse whisperer with the horses. Hollywood actors, like Fred McMurray and George Brent, kept their thoroughbreds at the stables. at Santa Rosa, CA, USA.
George Galea Had an ad. in 1942. He received military draft notice on 16 February 1942 at 695 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno, CA, USA, age 43, George Galea Pool Room (across the street from Artichoke Joe's.)
George Galea New George Galea Farm in 1946 at Santa Rosa, CA, USA.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 10 July 1947: "while the case of Trainer George Galea of San Bruno, suspended at Tanforan for alleged false statements on his license application, was continued.
May 7 1947 article: "A development at Tanforan yesterday was suspension of George Galea, San Mateo owner of thoroughbreds. He was suspended for the remainder of the meeting and his case was referred to the California Horse Racing Board for allegedly having falsified his application for an owner’s license and registration of colors."
George continued to race horses into the late 1970s.
Angiela Anne Pisani George Galea was Angie's godfather.
Joseph Pisani Joe knew George very well. In 1946, lived next door and was his bartender. Joe took family to visit George's Santa Rosa horse ranch often.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 3 August 1966: Santa Rosa Claims Ranch Of Renown On City Limits —By BILL SOBERANES
George Galea, one of the best known men in the thoroughbred racing field, has a ranch that is almost in downtown Santa Rosa. Galea’s Rancho San Miguel is located on Steele Lane and contains 60 acres of beautiful flat land, plus a couple of dozen fine thoroughbred brood mares and their colts. Known through the world as the man from Malta, who came to the United States and became a world famous race horse figure. George calls San Bruno, Calif., home, but spends much of his time on his Sonoma County ranch. Every seasoned race horse fan will remember a horse named Passado, and most of them believe this famous horse died years ago, but he’s actually very much alive.
While visiting George Galea at his Sonoma County ranch, this writer had the rare opportunity to see and photo Passado, who is now 21 years old and totally blind.To race trackers such horses as Jam and Jelly—Warr Helmet and dozens of others that ran under the Galea banner are familiar names, and they should be because they won a total of over $150,000 for their owner; the public bet millions on these and other bangtails that are part of the Galea racing stables. No johnny-come-latelyto the racing field, George Galea started working with thoroughbred race hores in the Roaring Twenties, and he started a breeding farm in Novato with the Bugeia Bros, in 1942. The name, Bugeia, may not ring a familar bell with newcomers to Petaluma, but the comers to Petaluma, but the name, Kenilworth, certainly should. It was the Bugeia brothers who owned Kenilworth in the twilight of his career, and today our largest park, our largest junior high and other landmarks in this area bear his name.
In fact I doubt if there is a human being who has as many different things named after him in the Petaluma area. Today George Galea breeds some of the finest stock in the country and sells many of the colts at auctions across the country. George also boards many of the nation’s finest horses at his Rancho San Miguel, and one of them is Catch Penny II who is owned by Nino Geraldi. To gourmets around the world, Geraldiic owned by Nino Geraldi. To gourmets around the world, Geraldi is known as the owner fo Fisherman’s Wharf No. 9, and thousands of people from this area travel to San Francisco to visit with Nino, eat his food and talk about the Sport of Kings. Taking care of George Galea’s horses are three well known horsemen—Charles Aqilina, Mike Bertucci and Sal Bayona. These gentlemen have the responsibility of taking care of some of the most valuable horses in the world.
Although the subdividers and supermarkets are moving closer and closer to George Galea’s Rancho San Miguel and the price of his land is constantly going up, he gave this answer when we asked if he planned to sell his ranch. “Race horses have been my life, and as long as I’m around, the Rancho San Miguel will be a home for these gallant ani- mals." George Galea is a race horse man’s race horse man, and he knows this sport from every angle, including the betting end the breeding end and the actual running end.
During the past 20 years Geo. Galea has hosted more famous race horse figures at his Rancho San Miguel than anyone else in Sonoma County, and his future plans call for a continuation of this practice.
Unlike many famous race horse owners and breeders, George Galea does not sit in a fancy box during the racing season — instead he mingles with the fellows who actually handle the bangtails, and the grooms, stable boys, "ginneys" and race horse characters are his close friends. When the law against pari-mutuel betting was repealed in California, George Galea was the first race owner to step inside the winning circle. It happened at Stockton, California.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 26 July 1967: A Look At Horse Racing Behind The Scenes by BILL SOBERANES
GEORGE GALEA -- ONE OF THE GREATEST
George Galea, one of the best known men in the thoroughbred racing field, has a ranch that is just a few miles from downtown Santa Rosa. Galea’s Rancho San Miguel is located on Waltzer Road and contains 60 acres of beautiful flat land plus a couple of dozen fine thoroughbred brood mares and their colts.
Known through the world as the Man from Malta, who came to the United States and became a world famous racehorse figure, George calls San Bruno, Calif., home, but spends much of his time on his Sonoma County ranch.
Every seasoned race horse man will remember a horse named Passado, and most of them believe this famous horse died years ago, but he’s actually very much alive.
While visiting the Rancho San Miguel, this columnist had the rare opportunity to see and photo Passado, who is now 22 years old and totally blind.
To race trackers such horses as Jam and Jelly, War Helmet and dozens of others, that ran under the Galea banner, are familiar names. They should be because they won $200,000 for their owner; the public bet millions on these and other bang tails that are part of the Galea racing stables
No johnny-come-lately to the racing field, George Galea started working with thoroughbred race horses in the Roaring Twenties, and he started a breeding farm in Novato with the Bugeia Bros. in 1942.
The name, Bugeia, may not ring a bell, but the name, Kenilworth, certainly should, especial- ly with people in the Petaluma area. It was the Bugeia brothers who owned Kenilworth in the twilight of his career, and today many parks, apartments and even schools bear the name of this race horse.
Today George Galea breeds some of the finest stock in the country and sells many of the colts at auctions across the country. George also boards many of the nation’s finest horses at his Ranch San Miguel, and each and every one of them is given individual attention.
RACE HORSES GALEA’S LIFE
Although the subdividers and supermarkets are moving closer and closer to George Galea's Rancho San Miguel, and the price of his land is constantly going up, he gave this answer when I asked if he planned to sell his ranch. "Race horses have been my life, and, as long as I'm around, the Rancho San Miguel will be a home for these gallant animals."
George Galea is a race horse man's race horse man, and he knows this sport from every angle, including the betting and breeding end, and the actual running end.
Durng the past 25 years George has hosted more famous race horse figures at his Rancho San Miguel than anyone else in Northern California, and Sunday he had 75 of the top people in his profession plus their wives and families out for a magnificent barbecue. I’m happy to report that one of the 75 lucky people on hand Sunday afternoon was this columnist.
Unlike many of the famous race horse owners and breeders, George Galea does not sit in a fancy box during the racing sea son - instead he mingles with the fellows who actually handle the bangtails, and the grooms, stable boys, ginneys and race horse characters are among his best friends
When the law against pari-mutual betting was repealed in California, George Galea was the first race borse owner to step inside the winning circle. It happened in Stockton, California, and the year was 1933.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 22 July 1969: Bill Soberanes:
At Galea's
THERE ARE thousands of people who go to the Sonoma County Fair for the express purpose of going to the horse races. Ninety-nine per cent of these people also wager their money on the results of these races, and it’s estimated that around 90 per cent of these people would not be on hand if it were not for the pari-mutuel betting.
During the fair racing season there are many society parties attended bybusinessmen, professional men and the ladies of the social set. Many of these parties are featured in the society pages of the newspapers, but the one that tops them all is completely different, and will only he reported by this scribe. This party was held Sunday at George Galea's [Rancho San Miguel, which is only a few bundled yards outside the city limits of Santa Rosa.
Rancho San Miguel
THF RANCHO San Miguel is also the home of Passado, one of the most famous thoroughbred stallions in the world. Owned by George Gaíêã] Passado is amazing for many reasons. Stone-blind for many years, Passado sired many famous race horses. This amazing stallion has lived longer than most horses, and still continues to sire colts that participated in the Sport of Kings.
Sunday, race horse men and friends of George Galea came to the Rancho San Miguel to attend an annual horse racing party that has become a legendary affair in Northern California.
The party-goers were not the ones you’d find at the other top social gatherings that are going on during the Sonoma County Fair. Instead, most of them were colorful figures of the horse racing world, with a handful of outsiders sprinkled in.
Legendary Figure
THF LEGENDARY Clarence Hansen was there, and for those of you who are not familiar with the world of trotting horses, here’s why this man is a legend:Clarence Hansen started driving trotting horses when he was 16 years old. Today Clarence is 74, and he’s still one of the leading drivers. The one big chance -Clarence Hansen now owns many of the trotting horses on the circuit today.
At 74 Clarence Hansen is the oldest driver on the racing circuit, so I put this question to him: When do you intend to Clarence Hansen immediately replied — "I’ve never given any thought to retiring.”
The man who came to this party with Clarence Hansen - Doc Milney, a well-known race track figure and native Peta- luman.
Race Horse People
TEX JOHNSON, another well-known race horse owner, was there, and he recalled visiting his uncle, Henry Hackney, in Petaluma during 1917. In those days, Tex said, Petaluma was a real race horse town. The chef for the chicken barbecue at the Rancho San Miguel Sunday was Jim Seria, whose background is somewhat amazing. Jim, who is known as “Slaughterhouse” along race track row, has been a singer, cook, horseman, and he’s now one of the top race horse dockers in the country. Morris Royden, the racing secretary, was among the guests at the Rancho San Miguel Sunday, and so was Sonoma County’s famed race horse owner and trainer, Charley Slender. In case you’re not familiar with race horsing, the racing secretary is one of the most important and powerful men at the track.

BOB DUPRET, the Sea View lumber baron, and Mike Gilardi, the Petaluma sportsman, were among the around one hundred colorful people who were lucky enough to attend George Galea’s annual premium race horse party of the season. [George Galea is known through the world as the “Man from Malta," who came to the United States and became a world famous race horse figure.
Although most people associate George Galea with Passado, he also owned such famous thoroughbreds as Jam and Jelly, War Helmet and dozens of others. George’s horses have won around a million dollars, and the public has bet millions on them. No Johnny-come-lately to the racing world, he started work- ing with thoroughbreds in the Roaring Twenties, and he started a breeding farm in Novato with the Bugeia Bros, in 1942.
+     +     +     +
THF NAME, Bugeia, may not ring a bell, but the name "Kenilworth" certainly should. It was the Bugeia Brothers who owned the horse Kenilworth in the twilight of his career, and today many parks and schools bear the name of this race horse. Today many race horse owners board their thoroughbreds at the Rancho San Miguel, and one of them is world’s famous gourmet, Nino Geraldi of Fisherman’s Wharf fame. Another is Joe Malloy who started his race horse career as a jockey in Sonoma Cnunty. Although the subdividers and supermarkets are moving closer and closer to George Galea’s 60 acre Rancho San Miguel, and the price of his land is constantly going up, he gave this answer when I asked if he planned to sell his ranch: "Race horses have been my life, and as long as I’m around, the Rancho San Miguel will be a home for these gallant animals."
George Galea is a race horse man’s race horse man. and he knows this sport from every angle, including the betting end, the breeding end and the actual running end. Unlike many famous race horse owners and breeders, George Galea seldom sits in the fancy boxes during the racing season - instead he mingles with the fellows who actually handle the bangtails, and the grooms, stable boys, ginneys and race horse characters are his friends. When the law against pari-mutuel betting was repealed in California, was the first race horse owner to step inside the winning circle. It happened at Stockton, Calif., and the year was 1933.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 4 June 1972: Meet George Galea - Business: Racehorses by George Hower
Thoroughbred racing fleet Golden Gate Fields soon for the Fair Circuit. Vallejo is the float stop on the fair circuit. Then comes a visit to Pleasanton, followed by a atop In Sa ta Rosa. The Santa Rosa stop, over-two weeks long, is one of the more popular on the Fair Circuit. It's more like a vacation than another two weeks on the circuit to most of the racetrack followers. Another reason it was popular in past years was because the roushbred owner George Gales held a big feed for horsemen, members of the press, and race track personnel Motel und hotel dining rooms must have lost a lot of business when he booted the barbecues. Galea didn't restrict Invitations to thoroughbred racing beatmen from the metropolitan papers.
Galea laughs easily. During the course of an interview, he mentioned that a horse that had been gelded recently "did not feel well. "I wouldn't feel well either if I just had been gelded."
Galea laughed and interrupted the interview to tell ranch foreman Mike Bertucel what it was he was chuckling over. Gales is a friendly 73-year-old retired bar owner in San Bruno who came to the United States from the island of Malta 58 years ago at the age of 15. He comes to Santa Rosa from San Bruno two to three timea a week to oversee the ranch. The ranch—Rancho San Miguel, located on Walther Road - runs about 71 to 8I horses the year around.
There is “a bunch ready to break for the race track" right now, Gatea says, referring to 15 horses that will turn 2 years old on January 1 (all thoroughbred race horses technically observe their birthday Jan. 1). “It takes about three months” to break, gentle, and then ride a thoroughbred, Galea says. The thoroughbreds will get their basic training in racing at Pleasanton, one of the major centers of activity in northern California horse racing.

Galea’s spread la primarily a breeding farm. There were 14 foals there this year, some of whom will be worth $10,000 or more, Galea says. One of the better know horses sired at Rancho San Miguel is a thoroughbred named, appro- priately, George Galea. “My son named him after me,” Gales says. ”I didn't want him to, but be did." George Galea —the thoroughbred—is the son of Catch Benny II, an import from Englend. Another sire is a borse named man’s calendar’ ‘ they claim a horse ages 3 to 4 years for our yean,” Galea says—and has been blind in one eye for 10 years and the other for six yean.

But he’s still a “good sire," Galea says. Sight obviously has little to do with IL Other outstanding horses that prance around at Rancho San Miguel have been Jam N Jelly the mother of the thoroughbred George Galea and a Del Mar stakes winner, and War Helmet, now in service as a stud. George Galea—the borse—has Jone well this year. He’s had 9 starts, won 3 races, been 2nd 5 times. and been 3rd once. "Always in the money so far," Galea says.     
George Galea's horse has earned his master $33,000 to date this year, well over the $6,000 break-even point. George Galea - the owner- breeder—picked this part of the country to raise horses because of the “wonderful climate. It’s not too cold or loo warm.” There are. Gates reckons, only about “three or tour” breeders “still in business’* in this area. It's a '’costly thing; not something “everybody likes to tackle.” If that's the case, does Galea ever have second thoughts about becoming a breeder? “Hell, no,” he booms back. “That was my life. Maybe that's why I'm still alive/.'



George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 18 July 1973: Sonoma County's George Galea Dedicated To 'Sport Of Kings'

By BILL SOBERANES
Staff Columnist
Thousands of people from this area are spending their time at the horse races at the Sonoma County Fair, and one of them is a race track personality par excellent, named George Galea.
Galea has numerous ties with the sport of kings, and he also owns one of the most picturesque ranches in Northern California.
Galea’s Rancho San Miguel is located on Steele Lane and contains 60 acres of beautiful flat land, plus a couple of dozen fine thoroughbred mares and their colts.
Known through the world as the man from Malta, who came to the United States and became a world-famous race horse figure, George is also one of the last of the type of race horse men Damon Runyon immortalized.
Every seasoned race horse fan will remember the combination of George Galea and a great horse named Passado. Most of them believe the famous horse died years ago, but he’s actually very much alive. Now 28 years old. Passado is stone blind, but otherwise very healthy, and his stud services are still very much in demand.
To race trackers such horses as Jam and Jelly,War Helmet and right now Glea Pass are familiar names, and all of these, plus dozens of others, have run under the Galea banner.
While winning hundreds of thousands of dollars for their owner, the public was and still is betting millions of dollars on horses that came out of the Galea Stables.
Jockeys To Gamblers
George Galea started working with thoroughbred race horses in the Roaring Twenties . Through the years he has met and mingled with such fabulous people as BillyKyne, horse racing’s greatest benefactor, high rolling gamblers like Reno’s Bill Graham (The Bank Club), Bones Remmer (Cal Neva, Lake Tahoe), jockeys like Johnny Longdon, and blue bloods like the Vanderbilts and Whitneys — but his heart has always been with the thoroughbreds.
Considered one of the top men in horse racing, George Galea has never lost touch with the people who are the heart and soul of the world of galloping bangtails. The jockeys, the ginnys, the grooms and the race track characters all know him on a first name basis.
Unlike a lot of other race horse owners, Galea is seldom found in a box seat; instead he mingles with hoi polloi, and he often reaches into his pockets to help a race tracker who needs a bankroll to get his horse to the next track.
Horse Racing His Ufe
George Galea who has watched such great horses as Seabiscuit, Twenty Grand and Native Diver, will tell you that the thrill of watching a race horse run is something that never grows old, that winning ten bucks on a horse is far more exciting than making 50 bucks on a business deal.
How does George Galea feel about his horses? “My horses have played an all important role in my life," he answered. "They’ve supplied me with the thrill of victory and opened an exciting world to me, so you can see why I have a warm feeling for them. "     
Diamond Mike Gilardi often refers to George Galea as the Maltese Falcon and when I asked him why he replied: "Because he’s as sharp as a razor and many of his horses move with the speed and grace of a falcon — and he has that certain something that has helped the two dollar bettor enjoy the sport of kings as much as the kings do."
In the year 1940 George Galea started a breeding farm in Novato with the Bugeia Bros. The name Bugeia may not ring a familiar bell with newcomers to Petaluma, but the name, Kenilworth, certainly should. It was the Bugeia Brothers who owned the race horse, Kenilworth, in the twilight of his career, and today many things in Petaluma are named after this race horse.
Odds Have Changed
During the next several days, horse race fans will be able to mingle with many of the top owners at the Sonoma County Fair, but none of them are as steeped in the Sport of Kings as George Galea — who has crossed the bridge from yesterday’s horse racing into the much more mechanized horse racing of today.
George Galea has seen the wonderful and speedy mathematicians who figured the odds with a pencil as the gamblers bet thousands of dollars, give way to today’s electric tote boards that compute the odds electronically. He summed it up this way: “Take away the electric computers, and pari-mutuel betting could not exist today, because, like the men who milked the cows by hand, the men who figured the odds with pen and pad are no longer available."     
An honest man, George Galea has seen what is known in race track terminology as a boat race. This is a fixed race, and they used to have them on get-away-day (the final day of the races) so that the jockeys and sometimes the owners, who were pressed for cash, could place a sure bet, and come away with enough dough to get them to the next track.
George has seen and known the fixers, the touts, who are always ready to give you a sure winner, providing the price is right and even the gangsters who have tried to take over the horse racing world.
Like all sports and all businesses, George will tell you, as he’s told me, horse racing has its bad apples, but the good ones have maintained control — and horse racing on the whole is as clean as any sport.
Today the odds against cheating during a horse race are greater than in the past, George said, and he cited these reasons.
The moving picture cameras record the entire race, so a jockey, who could have used a quirt with an electric battery, then have thrown it away while coming down the home stretch, would be caught today.
The saliva and urine tests make it very hard to dope a horse and get away with it.
As for painting a horse and bringing him in as a ringer, the chances are almost impossible, because all race horses are now tattooed oh the inside of the lip, and this makes them easily identifiable. George added that one of the best horse tattooers is Petaluman Johnny Nommsen.
Galea A Real Great
George Galea is one of the truly great horse racing figures, and his love for horses has always come before monetary gain.
Although the subdividers and supermarkets are moving closer and closer toGalea’s Rancho San Miguel and the price of his land is constantly going up, he gave this answer when I asked if he planned to sell his ranch.
“Race horses have been my life, and as long as I’m around, the Rancho San Miguel will be a home for these gallant animals."
George Galea is a race horse man’s race horse man, and he knows this sport from every angle, including the betting and breeding end the actual running end.
During the past quarter century, Galea has hosted more famous race horse figures at his Rancho San Miguel than anyone else in Sonoma County, and future plans call for a continuation of this practice.
When the law against pari-mutuel betting was repealed in California, George Galea was the first owner to step inside the winning circle. It happened at Stockton.           
Horse racing has been good to George Gaita, and he's returned the goodness by making horse racing a better sport for everyone.
Obituary: on 20 November 1982: GALEA; George — In Buringame, Nov. 18. 1982; late of San Bruno;      beloved husband of Filomina Galea; loving father of Joseph Galea of Sunnyvale. Charles J.
Gatea of San Bruno and Elizabeth Amis of Sunnyvale; also survived by his sister in Malta; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; a native of Malta; aged 94 years; a member of the San Mateo Bartenders and Cullinary Workers Union.

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 25 July 1983: Petaluma Courier by Bill Soberanes:
George Galea and horse racing
The race horses are off and running at the Sonoma County Fair, but this year one of the legendary race horse personalities won’t be there, George Galea, who died late last year, played a very important role in horse racing around the country and especially in Sonoma County. George belonged to a vanishing breed of race horse people that contained many of the colorful characters Damon Runyon wrote about. Over the years I spent a good deal of time with Galea and so did his close Petaluma friend, Charley Roehm. One of the big horse race get-togethers took place annually at Galea’s Rancho San Miguel breeding farm in Santa Rosa.
During the party at Rancho San Miguel, race track figures from stable boys to the owners of some of the biggest stables in the world attended — and they all sat together at an outdoor barbecue.
George Galea was a man who knew horse racing from every angle. This included the breeding, the ¡cing department and even the betting division where millions of dollars are waged in meets like the one at our county fair. On my tours of the Rancho San Miguel I saw such great stallions as War Helmet, Burley Bill, Catch Penny II, Hot Ticket and Galea’s favorite Passado. The Galea rancho contains 60 acres and its just a stone's throw from the Santa Rosa City limits.
George Galea started working with race horses in the Roaring Twenties, and opened his breeding farm with the Bugeia Brothers in Novato. Now. the name, Bugeia, may not be familiar to many people from this area, but the name, Kenilworth, certainly should be. The Bugeias owned the race horse, Kenilworth, in the latter part of his life, and this is the horse that our Kenilworth Junior High School and Kenilworth Park are named after
Subdividers have made numerous attempts to buy Rancho San Miguel, and the last time I met George Galea he said: 'As long as I’am around, this will be a race horse ranch "
Almost all the race horse personalities who started out with Galea are gune, and I have pictures and background material on many of them in my files • Ten Grand Paddy, who parlayed a ‘two dollar" bet into "ten thousand dollars," was a friend of Galea, and so was the legendary sulky driver, Clarence Hansen
Known to some people as the Maltese Falcon. George was a close friend of the one-horse race trackers These were the men who owned one horse and often had to borrow money from George to move their horse from track to track. . I remember the time an old timer, one horse owner, offered to give George a receipt for the money he borrowed George smiled and said, "Don't waste the paper" — and it was then I realized the money was a
Many of the other colorful horse race characters I’ve known have galloped on to that great track in the sky.
Race horse fans in this area will remember Joe : Malloy. Joe started his riding career at the Millerick Ranch in the Sonoma Valley, and went on to become a ; noted jockey, trainer and race horse owner
Joe Malloy was sometimes called the cowboy jockey because he rode relay races at the Millerick rodeo, and many of his close friends were rodeo cowboys
- Al one time in his career. Joe. who rode hundreds of ; winners on the fair circuit, was known as the "King of the Bull Ring."
George Galea raced his horses at Bay Meadows in the days when the fabulous Bill Kyne was the owner of this track. Kyne, who helped bring horse racing back to California, ranks among the all time greats in this field. Before building Bay Meadows. Bill Kyne explored the possibility ot setting up his race track at Petaluma’s Kenilworth Park. At the time there was local opposition by a group who thought betting on horse racing would" bring a had clement to the Egg City. Such a track would have brought millions of dollars to Petaluma

In the picture at the top of today’s column you see George Galea and this columnist with Passado. Al the time this photo was taken Passado was 25 years old. : stone blind, but otherwise in fine condition, and very much a part of the breeding farm.
While talking about Galea, Charley Roehm said, "He was a true friend when you needed a friend."
Galea a first
WHEN the law against parimutuel betting was repealed in California, George Galea was the first man to step inside the winning circle. It happened in Stockton, and the year was 1933.
When I last spoke to George he had this to say. "I'd like to see horse racing return to Petaluma, and I’d like to be the first to step in the winning circle when it does."

George Galea was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 26 July 1989: George Galea: colorful racehorse personality
By BILL SOBERANES
With the horse races now going on at the Sonoma County Fair, it is an appropriate time to look back and to talk about the colorful people who have helped make it so fascinating and one of them was George Galea. Known as the man from Malta who came to the United States and became a world-famous racehorse figure. Galea was also one of the last of the type of racehorse characters Damon Runyon immortalized. Every season, racehorse fans will remember the combination of George Galea and a great horse named Passado.
After retiring Passado. Galea kept his prize horse at his spacious Rancho San Miguel. Although Passado went blind. this gallant horse lived to be almost 30 years old, and for years racehorse people from all over the country came to Santa Rosa to see Passado and his owner
To race trackers, such horses as Jam and Jelly, War Helmet, and Glea Pass are familiar names, and all of these, plus dozens of others, ran under the Galea banner.
While winning hundreds of thousands of dollars for their owner, the public bet millions of dollars on horses that came out of the Galea Stables
George Galea started working with thoroughbred racehorses in the Roaring Twenties. As one of horse racing's greatest benefactors through the years he mingled with high rolling gamblers like Reno's Bill Graham (The Bank Club I, Bones Remmer (Cal Neva. Lake Tahoe), jockeys like Johnny Longdon and Willie Shoemaker, blue bloods like the Vanderbilts and the Whitneys, but his heart was always with the thoroughbreds.
Considered one of the top men in horse racing, Galea never lost touch with people who are at the heart and soul of the world of galloping bangtails. The jockeys, the ginnys, the grooms and the racetrack characters all knew him on a first name basis.
I remember attending a party at Galea’s ranch where guys without a dime in their pocket sat with men who could write a check for a million dollars, and all of them were treated as equals. Unlike a lot of other racehorse owners, Galea seldom sat in a box seat, instead he mingled with the hoi polloi, and he often reached into his pocket to help a race tracker who needed a bankroll to get his horse to the next track.
George Galea, who watched such great horses as Seabiscuit, Twenty Grand. and Native Diver run, told me that the thrill of watching a racehorse run is something that never grows old. That winning ten bucks on a horse is far more exciting than making 50 bucks on a business deal.
When I asked Galea how he felt about horses, he gave this reply: “My horses have played an all important role in my life. They've supplied me with the thrill of victory and opened an exciting world to me. so you can see why I have a warm feeling for them.“
The late Diamond Mike Gilardi often referred to Galea as the Maltese Falcon, and when I asked why, he replied, “Because he's sharp as a razor and many of his horses move with the speed and grace of a falcon — and he has that certain something that has helped the two-dollar bettor enjoy the sport of kings as much as the kings do.”
In the year 1940 Galea started a breeding farm in Novato with the Bugeia Brothers The name Bugeia may not ring a familiar bell with newcomers to Petaluma, but the name Kenilworth certainly should. It was the Bugeia Brothers who owned the race horse Kenilworth in the twilight of his career, and today we have a park and a school in Petaluma named after this horse.
During one of my get-togethers with Galea he talked about the wonderful and speedy mathematicians who figured the odds with a pencil as gamblers bet thousands of dollars. He talked about how these mathematicians gave way to today's electric tote boards that compute the odds electronically.
He summed it up this way: "Take away the electric computers, and perhaps parimutuel betting could not exist today, because, like the men who milked the cows by hand, the men who figured the odds with pen and pad are no longer available.”
George Galea was an expert on racehorse terminology such as a boat race. This race is “fixed" and they used to have them on get-away-day (final day of the races ) so that jockeys and sometimes even owners who were pressed for cash, could place a sure bet. and come away with enough dough to get them to the next track.
George knew the fixers. the touts, who were always ready to give you a sure winner, provided the price was right, and even the gangsters who have tried to take over the horse racing world.
Like all sports and all businesses George told me that horse racing has its bad apples, but the good ones have maintained control — and horse racing on the whole is as clean as any sport.
George Galea talked about how it became harder to cheat during my last get-together with him and he added this: The moving picture camera records the entire race. so a jockey, who could have used a quirt with an electric battery, then have thrown it away while coming down the home stretch, would now be caught. Saliva and urine tests make it very hard to dope a horse and gel away with it. As for painting a horse and bringing him in as a ringer, the chances are almost impossible, because all racehorses are now tattooed on the inside of the lip. and this makes them easily identifiable.’
George added that one of the best horse tattooers is Petaluman, Johnny Nommsen.
Charley Roehm is a Petaluman, and he's a top race horse handicapper. and he described Galea thusly: "In my books he was a king in the sport of kings "
When the law against parimutuel betting was repealed in California, George Galea was the first owner to step inside the winning circle. It happened in Stockton.

     Elizabeth Jane Galea was born on 23 March 1936 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. She married Alvin J Nicolini on 1 June 1955 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Elizabeth Jane Galea married Thomas Mancel Amis. Elizabeth Jane Galea died on 8 February 2008 at Mountain View, CA, USA, at age 71. She was buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
     She was listed in the 1940 US Census of George Galea and Filomena Catania in 1940 at Kains Ave, San Bruno, San Mateo Co., CA, USA; age 41, eight grade educ; pool room owner; and niece Salvina Galea. As of 1 June 1955,her married name was Nicolini. Her married name was Amis. Elizabeth Jane Galea was also known as Betty Galea.

     Thomas Mancel Amis was born on 7 November 1932. He married Elizabeth Jane Galea, daughter of George Galea and Filomena Catania. Thomas Mancel Amis died on 26 May 2011 at Mountain View, CA, USA, at age 78. He was buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
      Obituary: on 5 June 2011: Thomas Mancel Amis, resident of Mountain View, age 78, born Nov 7, 1932 in San Francisco, California, passed away May 26,2011 in Mountain View, California. Tom was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Galea Amis and is survived by his daughters, Annette Durk and husband Jerry, grandsons Raymond and Ryan and granddaughter Amber of Santa Clara, California; and Christy Carnefix and her husband Dan, grandsons, Aaron, Matthew and Zachary and granddaughter Grace of Sachse, Texas. He is also survived by his brother Arthur Amis of San Francisco, California. Tom was a loving husband, devoted father and a dear friend to all who knew him. Family and friends will gather for a Memorial Service celebrating his life at 3:30p.m. on Tuesday June 7, 2011 at Bridges Community Church, 625 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos, California. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Silicon Valley, 235 S. Gordon Way, Los Altos, CA 94022-3736.

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on June 5, 2011.

     Annette Amis was born in June 1962. She married Jerry Durk.
     Her married name was Durk. Annette Amis was living in 2024 in Santa Clara, CA, USA; rdengdr@aol.com.

     Jerry Durk married Annette Amis, daughter of Thomas Mancel Amis and Elizabeth Jane Galea.

     James P Galea married Pauline Maria Grech, daughter of Charles Grech and Maria Borg. James P Galea was buried on 3 July 1975 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. He died on 3 July 1975.

     Jean Mary Louise Jaramillo was born on 7 June 1937 in Chama, NM, USA. She married Joseph Matthew Galea, son of Charles Galea and Victoria Xerri, on 26 August 1961 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Jean Mary Louise Jaramillo and Joseph Matthew Galea were divorced in August 1976 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Jean Mary Louise Jaramillo died on 11 February 2015 at CA, USA, at age 77. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA, USA.
     Her married name was Galea.
Obituary: on 19 February 2015: Jean Mary Louise Galea passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on February 11, 2015. Born on June 7, 1937 in Chama, New Mexico, she is preceded in death by her parents Mary Louise "Pita" Jaramillo and Fred L. Jaramillo, Sr. Jean is survived by her daughter, son, brother, sister and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Jean graduated from St. Vincent's High School in 1956; she worked for over 20 years at UCSF and retired in 1998 as an Academic Personnel Analyst. She loved to travel with her friends and enjoyed taking care of her garden as she took great pride in the beauty of her flowers but most of all Jean loved life and laughter. She also dedicated many years, especially during the holidays helping those less fortunate by providing meals alongside her close friends. Her family is indebted to the wonderful care she received from the doctors and nurses at Kaiser Permanente and to her loving caregiver Jo D'Arcy, who has been an amazing support to her family. Jean will be missed by all who were touched by her love, kindness & laughter.

     John Galea died on 18 March 1946 at San Francisco, CA, USA. He was buried on 20 March 1946 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
      Obituary: on 19 March 1946: In this city, Mar 18 1946, John Galea, beloved uncle of Mrs. Frances Schembri and Mrs. Mary Camilleri; a native of Malta. He and John J. Galea were possibly the same person.

     Joanne Marie Agresti was born circa 1942. She married John Matthew Galea Sr, son of Loreto Galea and Rita Cassar, on 5 February 1961 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Her married name was Galea. Joanne Marie Agresti was living in 2021 in San Francisco, CA, USA.

     Anna Marie Galea was born on 4 December 1961 in San Francisco, CA, USA. She married John Jensen. Anna Marie Galea died in March 2018 at age 56.
     Her married name was Galea-Jensen.

     John Jensen married Anna Marie Galea, daughter of John Matthew Galea Sr and Joanne Marie Agresti.

     John Matthew Galea Jr was born on 13 January 1965 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He married Christina A. Pagan.
     John Matthew Galea Jr and Christina A. Pagan were living in 2021 in Pacifica, CA, USA.

     Christina A. Pagan was born circa 1964. She married John Matthew Galea Jr, son of John Matthew Galea Sr and Joanne Marie Agresti.
     Her married name was Galea. Christina A. Pagan and John Matthew Galea Jr were living in 2021 in Pacifica, CA, USA. Christina A. Pagan was also known as Criss.

     Lisa Marie Galea was born on 16 September 1969 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. She married Michael Delucchi.
     Her married name was Delucchi.

     Michael Delucchi married Lisa Marie Galea, daughter of John Matthew Galea Sr and Joanne Marie Agresti.