Nat Gozzano, 96, of Irvine Ca. passed peacefully on February 27, 2014. Nat was born in Richmond, CA on December 8, 1917 to Orestes and Angelina Gozzano. He had two older sisters, Louise, and Nina. He graduated from Oakland Art Institute in 1937. Nat was employed as a staff artist by Patterson and Hall Advertising Agency until being drafted into the Army in 1941. He served through World War II in the Pacific Theater. Nat was a Radio Operator and Sharp Shooter who rose to the rank of Sergeant with the 226th MP Company. He also served the army in the capacity of communications engineer, as an artist and photographer. In applying his considerable skill as an illustrator to many projects, including a all mural he painted at Fort Mason used to keep track of the pacific fleet of naval ships. Nat photographed classified battle scenes and documented prisoners of war while in the Phillipines. He was decorated for his service, and was honorably discharged in 1945.

After the war Nat worked as Head of Scenic Arts for United Artist Studios, painting backdrops and scenery on the sets of many notable films. While in Hollywood he became an avid yachtsman. In 1954 he purchased the California, which was a 67 foot Barkentine Schooner, that was moored next to Humphrey Bogart's yacht "The Santana".
Nat left the studios to embark on a tour of the South Seas. After sailing to Hawaii, he fell in love and married Marilyn Hedley, a book writer and artist. Their first child, Cala was named after their ship. The new family lived aboard the California, at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, Honolulu, for a time before their return to Los Angeles. Nat was listed in "Who's Who" in 1960. After settling back in California, Nat and Marilyn raised four children, and bought and sold various businesses including 2 trailer parks and a donut shop.

In 1968 Nat set out for more adventures, this time with family in tow, he traveled to Scandinavia in search of tall ship. In Copenhagen he procured an 89 foot Ketch, and moved aboard with his wife and four children. He sailed around Denmark and Sweeden, over the better part of a year. The family's unusual adventure was featured in the Swedish press. Some years later Nat owned and lived aboard another ship, the Yacht "Endymion", a noted racing craft.
In retirement he designed and built two ranch houses. The first in the rolling hills of Oakhurst, CA and the second in Honokaa, HI, where he raised cattle and horses.
Nat is also remembered for his extraordinary cooking, his very green thumb and his wry and generous sense of humor.

Nat is survived by his four children, Cala, Merry, Amy and Nat Jr; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan, Sean and Amanda; Troy and Heather and 7 great grandchildren, Dylan, Tyler, Elyssa, Haley, Logan, Noah and Ben; his niece, Leslee Mayo, and his former wife, Marilyn Gozzano.

Happy Sailing Nat!