Warner C. Lusardi, the San Diego construction leader, philanthropist and longtime supporter of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, has died at the age of 94.
Lusardi was a prominent figure in Southern California horse racing and served on the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board of Directors from 1988, giving almost four decades of service to the organisation. His contribution included leadership, counsel and a sustained commitment to Del Mar and the wider Thoroughbred racing community. His long association with the club is also documented in California racing records.
Warner C. Lusardi death marks the passing of a longtime Del Mar racing figure.
Away from the racetrack, Lusardi built a substantial legacy in business and community service. He and his father, Pete, established Lusardi Construction in 1958, beginning the company from the garage of their San Diego home. The business would eventually become one of Southern California’s major construction firms, with thousands of projects completed across the region.
Lusardi’s professional career was supported by an engineering background. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and served in the U.S. Navy with the Civil Engineer Corps. He later became a licensed General Engineering and General Building contractor as well as a Registered Civil Engineer.
His connection with Del Mar was particularly enduring. Lusardi joined the Thoroughbred Club’s board in 1988 and remained part of its leadership for decades. Records from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club continued to list him among its directors in recent years.
His family life was equally important to his legacy. Lusardi and his wife, Debbie, were married for 54 years before her death in 2024.
The couple also devoted considerable time and resources to philanthropic work across the San Diego community. Among their contributions was support for the Curebound Cancer Challenge, which has raised more than $25 million since its launch in 2013.
Their philanthropy extended to healthcare as well. The Lusardis served as lead benefactors of the expansion of Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, making a $25 million gift that helped fund the Lusardi Tower. The expansion increased the hospital’s capacity from 187 to 235 patients while adding to its inpatient, surgical and maternal care services.
For Del Mar and the Southern California racing community, Lusardi’s passing closes a long chapter of service. His involvement stretched from the late 1980s into the modern era of the sport, leaving a lasting connection between his family, civic work and the racecourse he supported for so many years.
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