George Sbordone Tribute

I guarantee none of you know me. I met George in 1996. I installed the stereo in his house in Rancho Santa Fe / Fairbanks Ranch. On a few occasions he would watch me work and want to talk about life. Nothing really pointed, just about the ups and downs and how to keep pushing. I could tell that he was going through a difficult time, but he always had really inspiring and positive words. On a couple of occasions he offered me the opportunity to come back on the weekend and drive some cars in his collection. Not accepting his offers was very difficult, but professional. I remember bumping into him at a Tom Petty concert in San Diego and he offered to buy beer for me and my friends. He was always generous. I only spent a week or two's worth of time with him, but he made an impression on me. I think about him now and then and I'm glad I found this site. Its 2011, Ive know about his death for sometime now. He made an impression on me. Rest in Peace George.

George and I met in 1993. He was 35 and larger than life. He was president and founder of Tempo Research. He drove a 911 convertible, the top always down and usually with a cigarette in hand. His easy smile under his mustache and shock of thick reddish brown hair are most memorable. Standing at 6'4" tall, his family called him Baby George (he was Jr.).

He was strong and tough yet loving and gentle. He loved Italian food. How many special evenings did we spend at Manhattan's in La Jolla?? He loved to gamble in Vegas (Mr. S does Bally's) and take in the sun poolside in Palm Springs (Marriott Desert Springs) -- usually in February to celebrate Valentine's Day and my birthday.

His car collection was amazing. Racing down I-5 in the 355. I almost always drove. I loved that about him. Making me happy was the thing he loved most. Like the Bentley he bought because I looked so cute leaning out of the back seat.

The six years we spent together seemed so much longer -- and like a lifetime ago. I wish we could have just one more day together. Just like it was in the beginning before other things got in the way. I don't think I told him how much I loved him near enough, even though I did every day. I never could tell him I didn't, even afterward. A piece of my heart was and will always be his.