George D. Buccola, Builder of Vista del Lido, Dies at 77

Funeral services will be Thursday for George D. Buccola, a 37-year resident of the city and the founder of the Buccola Co., a building and design firm, who died Sunday at his home here. He was 77.

Buccola’s company built the Vista del Lido condominium complex, which was the first high-rise in Newport Beach, and the Newporter Inn, which is recognized as the hotel that established Orange County as a resort destination.

Born in Palermo, Sicily, Buccola came to the United States in 1920 and lived in San Francisco and South Pasadena before settling in Orange County. During World War II he served in the Army’s 104th Financial Disbursement Section in England and France.

Burton Romberger, a friend and business associate, noted Buccola’s dedication to work: “George was very dedicated to his business. When he was building something, whether it was one individual house, a tract house, or a commercial building . . . he would not accept obstacles that fell in his path.”

Buccola’s daughter, Susan Wier of Pasadena, said Buccola was a “patriotic, visionary” man, dedicated to his work and to his family.

“He definitely left an impression,” Wier said. “Even if people didn’t agree with him, they respected him.”

Buccola is survived by his wife, Catherine; daughters Wier, Christine Houghton of Simi Valley and Nancy MacLean of Murrieta; and seven grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar.