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Teacher dies after battle with ALS
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■ Celebration of Jason Picetti’s life set for Oct. 22 at La Entrada.
J
ason Picetti, who taught math at La Entrada Middle School in Menlo Park until illness forced him to retire, died peacefully early Thursday morning, Oct. 13, at Kaiser hospital in Santa Clara, with his wife, father and brother-in-law by his side. Mr. Picetti was 42. A celebration of his life is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in the La Entrada Middle School gym, 2200 Sharon Road in Menlo Park, according to his friend Robin Tobias. Mr. Picetti had declined intervention for pneumonia when he was admitted to the hospital earlier this week, Ms. Tobias said. Mr. Picetti was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in February 2008. ALS is a neurogenerative disease affecting the nerve cells that control muscle movement. The diagnosis sent the La Entrada School community, as well as his circle of family and friends, into a tumult of disbelief and Almanac photo by Michelle Le sorrow. Married less than two years to fellow La Entrada teacher Fehmeen Khan, the man Jason Picetti with his daughter Emma on their who had never taken a sick day off from the birthday celebration in 2009 at their San Carlos classroom seemed the most unlikely candi- home. They were both born on April 1. That year, Mr. Picetti turned 40, and Emma turned 1 year old. date for a fatal illness. The couple had a daughter, Emma, who shared a birthday with her father. Emma is now 3 years old. medicine, alternative medicine, a positive Mr. Picetti’s and never-givelast year of up attitude and teaching math The man who had never taken a sick day mindset, and was 2008. His love and off from the classroom seemed the most the students’ learnprayers and ing experience support of his unlikely candidate for a fatal illness. went far beyond incredible famalgebra. They ily and friends were given a lesson in courage, which Mr. to win the toughest battle of his life.” Picetti taught them by example. In 2009 he accompanied his wife, a sixth- Raised in San Bruno grade teacher, to school most days, spending Jason John Picetti was raised in San Bruno much of his time in Room 25, where teachers come to visit and play cards on their breaks and most recently was a resident of San Carlos. He was a graduate of Capuchino High and former students drop by to talk. He also started a blog, “The Adventures of School and UC Davis, and earned his teachALS Boy.” He posted his last entry on Oct. 4. ing credential at Notre Dame de Namur in On the blog, Mr. Picetti described himself Belmont. Survivors include his wife, Fehmeen in this way: “In his days prior to wearing the cape and cowl of the Amazing, Inspiring and Picetti, daughter Emma Zahra Picetti, and Adventurous ALS Boy, Jason Picetti’s not-so- father John Picetti. He was preceded in death secret identities included weekend warrior rock by his mother, Judy Picetti. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donastar, enthusiastic and motivating middle school tions to be made in his name to the Las math teacher, and all-around decent guy. “While still a decent guy, he has been Lomitas Education Foundation (LLEF). battling the evil forces of ALS since being diagnosed in February of 2008. Never one to ■ Visit tinyurl.com/Picetti-193 to see a story on Mr. shy away from a good fight, Jason has been Picetti in the March 31, 2009, issue of the Almanac. combining the healing forces of western ■ Visit alsboy.com to see the blog.
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