Emanuel Bugelli

Emanuel Bugelli, age 92, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed into eternal life on June 10, 2026. Emanuel was born on January 16, 1934, in Malta as one of the seven surviving children of John and Grace Bugelli.

Emanuel immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1957 at the age of 23 where he met his future wife, Birte, while working at the Bank of Montreal. They married in 1958 and moved to San Francisco. In 1961, Emanuel started his career in the car business as a bookkeeper and was quickly promoted to business manager. He moved to Riverside, CA in 1967 where he worked as the business manager of De Anza Chevrolet. While there, he created lifelong friendships and learned the skills that shaped his career. In 1973, he moved to San Diego and became part owner of Lamb Chevrolet which eventually led to the ownership of 14 other car dealerships.

In 1980, Emanuel moved to Denver where he continued his career as a car dealer, buying and selling many dealerships. Among his favorite dealerships were Friendly Ford and Gateway Mazda. At the age of 80, Emanuel retired and sold his last dealership, Gateway Mazda.

While Emanuel lived his life in the US, he always celebrated his Maltese heritage and its culture and history, sharing it with his family through stories, food, and trips to his home.

Emanuel was a devout member of the Catholic Church who shared his faith with his children and their children. He loved Jesus and thanked God everyday for His blessings. He was passionate about his family and his work, led by example, and lived his life with honesty and integrity. He worked tirelessly to provide an amazing life for his wife and four children. He loved his work and the people who worked with him, helping to train and provide business opportunities for countless employees and friends.

Emanuel was a self-made man who immigrated with a suitcase and $20 in his pocket. He loved spending time with his family, he enjoyed playing cards, he loved traveling, he loved the 49ers and, of course, was an avid Broncos fan. Emanuel always had a story to tell and a true passion to help anyone in need.

Emanuel is survived by his wife Birte and four children: Grace (Don) Bibona, Linda (David) Bugelli / Martinez, Frank (Nicola) Bugelli, and Christine (Kevin) Biernat. His grandchildren John (Katrina) Villard, Claire (Gavin) Finders, Ryan Villard, Kate Biernat, Julia (Landon) Craft, Erik Biernat, Jenny (Sami) Al-Saadawi, Bennett Bugelli, Jensine Bugelli, Rhys Bugelli, Finn Bugelli, Sofia Martinez, and Davidjon Martinez. Along with his seven great grandchildren: Harper, Ivy, Quinn, Coen, Emma Bea, Liam, and Baby Al-Saadawi. He is also survived by his sisters Judith Sammut, MaryAnn Mallia, and brothers David Bugelli and Frank Bugelli.

Emanuel is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary (Sam) Bartolo and Josephine (John) Grech, brothers-in-law Pete Sammut and Joseph Mallia, sisters-in-law Lina Bugelli and Maria Bugelli, and grandson Paul Villard.

Donations in Emanuel's memory can be made to The Guild of the Children's Diabetes Foundation