Joseph El Sineitti, Longtime San Francisco Businessman, Dies at 68

From his family:

Joseph El Sineitti, a beloved San Francisco native and respected local businessman, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in San Leandro, California, surrounded by his loving family. He was 68.

Joe was born in Cairo, Egypt, and immigrated to San Francisco in the 1960s with his father, mother, sister, and extended family.

Raised in the Sunset District, he graduated from Lincoln High School, where he developed a lifelong passion for automobiles and sports, excelling in wrestling and football.

After high school, Joe attended trade school and became a full-time mechanic. He went on to manage and own his family’s gas & service station business at the age of 20, eventually expanding it to multiple locations in the Sunset District. He was recognized many times by
Union 76 and BP for his outstanding business achievements. Joe was especially known for his iconic Union 76 gas station on the corner of 19th Avenue and Judah Street, where he famously operated a full-service station at self-service prices. During the holiday season, he routinely
lowered gas prices to $1.00 as a gesture of appreciation to the community and his loyal customers.

He also gained local notoriety through a series of television commercials cast with family and friends, that featured him and his memorable tagline: “Not just any 76 – 19th Avenue 76!”

Joe retired in 2019 after nearly five decades of service, yet always remained a spirited entrepreneur. In retirement, he divided his time between the Bay Area and West Palm Beach, Florida, where he enjoyed the coastal lifestyle, warm weather and scenic drives in his
convertible.

A devoted 49ers fan, Joe also enjoyed classic cars, boating and fishing. He found great joy in his faith and was an active member of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church.

His generosity touched many – whether donating dozens of turkeys at Thanksgiving or quietly paying for strangers’ groceries.

Joe had a larger-than-life personality and made friends everywhere he went with his humor, charisma, charm, warmth and sincere care for others.

Love for his family was paramount to all else. He was deeply committed to the success and well-being of his children and took great pride in providing for them.

He is survived by his daughters, Victoria Elsineitti and Nicole Elsineitti-Riley, and her husband, Franklin Riley; their mother and his former wife, Robin Elsineitti; his longtime partner, Mary Riley, and her children, David and Christina Pinkney; his cousins, Noha and Fred Tannous, and Fred’s wife, Amal; as well as cousins Hend and Hani El Sineity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Onsy and Suzette El Sineity; his sister, Gina El Sineitti; and his grandparents, Lydia Salem Zariffa, Wadie Y. Zariffa, Elisabet Abdou Mekheil and Yousseff Soleman El Sineity.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, 5200 Diamond Heights Blvd., San Francisco, officiated by the Rev. Fr. George Baalbaki and the Rev. Fr. Nicholas Borzghol. Interment will follow at the Greek Orthodox
Cemetery in Colma. A mercy meal will be held at the church following the burial.

A visitation and Trisagion prayer service will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, also at St. Nicholas Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church or to the St. Anthony Foundation, 150 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102.