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Aurelia and Alfreda Pia

Aurelia and Alfreda Pia enjoyed a long life together. Their charitable legacy was purposefully designed to enable others to live long, healthy lives as well.

"Ray" and "Freda", as their friends referred to them, were born to Italian immigrants. The two grew up (and grew gray hairs) as native Californians. v The Pias were married 56 years, and each worked for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company for 30 years. Ray was a World War II veteran and active member of both the Italo American Lodge in Merced and the Merced Elks Lodge BPOE 1240. In fact, he took his service work very literally. Ray served many meals as head cook for a variety of functions at the Italo American Lodge. The Merced Elks once named him "Elk of the Year".

For 38 years Ray and Freda lived and served together in Merced. After retirement and with careful consideration, the couple decided to set up a living trust. Their top directive when discerning how their estate would benefit others beyond their lifetime was that "they wanted to help non-profit hospitals that they thought did a good job providing care to those in need".

Mercy Hospital Foundation of Merced was generously designated by the Pias to benefit from their estate.

When Ray and Freda had both passed away by early 2001, after living well into their 80's, their donation was received for the New Hospital Building Fund at Mercy Medical Center. The 5th Floor Medical Surgical Department bears a dedication to their parents: "In Memory of Victor A. and Josephine Pia and Frank and Louise Picollo".

Ray and Freda created a beautiful tribute to their past generation, and an enduring gift for generations to come.

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