Bart Sciacqua (80) was born on August 7, 1937 in Madera, California. He passed away at home on September 4, 2017 with his family at his side.Bart was a brave and decorated firefighter/civil servant. He spent twenty-five years protecting our natural resources and community as a Captain with the California Department of Forestry. He was a role model, a leader and was named fireman of the year in 1973 and 1982, retiring in 1988.
Bart continued to make a positive impact on the community by channeling his energy on our community’s youth through coaching girl’s softball. His passion was ignited by coaching his two young daughters, Diane and Vickie and it blossomed into a 40-year career as one of the Valley’s winningest coaches. Bart began his coaching career with the Madera Bobby Sox league in the early 1970s, later organizing and coaching many young ladies on the Madera Blazers fast pitch softball team for many years.
In 1984, he was named head softball coach for Madera High School. Recruited in 1991, he became the coach at San Joaquin Memorial high school in Fresno California. Under his 20 years of leadership, he led the San Joaquin Memorial softball team to three Valley championships, 14 league titles and was named Coach of the Year for numerous seasons. In June 2016, he was humbled and honored as he was inducted into the City-County All-Star Softball Hall of Fame surrounded by many former players and family.
Even more notable than his Valley Championships, league titles, and undefeated seasons, was his impact on hundreds of young valley women. He was consistent, tough, reliable, humble, and the most caring coach one could hope for. He taught life skills that went far beyond the field. Bart touched the lives of many players; he was not only their coach, but also became their mentor, a father figure, and their friend.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margot; his son Robert (Debbie); his daughters, Diane Sagariballa (Joseph) and Victoria (Michaele). Bart also leaves behind three grandsons; Anthony Sagariballa, Matthew Sagariballa, and Chase LaForge-Sciacqua.
The family extends many thanks to the caregivers from St. Agnes Hospice and is extremely grateful for the excellent care provided for him by Sabrina, Hortencia, and Josie over the past several months.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 11, 2017 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA
Funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 10:00 am at Jay Chapel. Private entombment will be in Arbor Vitae Mausoleum.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Bart be made to either the Parkinson’s Institute (675 Almanor Ave, Sunnyvale California 94085) or St. Agnes Hospice (6729 N. Willow Ave #103, Fresno California 93710).
