Former Tamalpais High School multi-sport athlete Peter Clark Dornbach’s wife, Maria Celia, is originally from Brazil.
Sadly, Peter Dornbach died on January 15, 2025, at 81, for an undisclosed reason.
Highlights
- Peter Clark Dornbach, born to his father Charles and his mother Laura, has passed away due to an undisclosed reason.
- Dornbach had three stepchildren: Marcela, Pietra Fuimaraes, and Juliano Fonseca, from his wife Maria’s previous marriage to Julio Cesar.
- His stepdaughter Marcela served as an assistant Judge at the Court of Justice of the State of Goias.
The admin of Tamalpais High School 1963 et al., Bill McIntyre, took to his Facebook handle and poured a small tribute to Peter. He wrote (sic.),
Peter Dornbach is gone but not forgottren. I dont know howto post his obit here. He was 2 classes ahead of us well known and remembered. A really good human being.
Bill McIntyre
Dorbach, born on May 10, 1943, in San Francisco to Charles and Laura of Belvedere, CA, was a gifted and highly decorated multi-sport athlete who competed at Tamalpais High School, the College of Marin, and later the University of New Mexico, where he was awarded an athletic scholarship.
While living with his family in Pakistan between 14 and 16, he was voted Top Athlete.
Since childhood, he has been an accomplished bicyclist, spending countless hours and miles pedaling up the side of Mt. Tamalpais.
After moving from Marin County to Sebastopol in Sonoma County, he joined a local gym, Coaches Corner, where he made many other lifelong friends.
For around 23 years, he led large groups of friends, many from Coaches Corner, on backpacking excursions through Yosemite and the Dipsea Trail in Mill Valley.
Peter Dornbach’s Wife, Maria Celia Had Three Children With Her Ex-Husband, Julio Cesar
Peter Dornbach is married to Maria Celia, a Brazilian resident. They have lived in Sonoma County and Brazil since 2002.
However, the exact date of their marriage has not been revealed yet. Their married life ended following the tragic death of Peter Dornbach on January 15, 2025.
Maria Celia was previously married to Julio Cesar, owner and administrator at Plotte Facil – Impressions.
Julio is originally from Sao Paulo but lives in Gioania, Brazil. Maria had two daughters, Marcela Fonseca and Pietra Fuimaraes, and one son, Juliano Fonseca, with her ex-husband, Julio.
Marcela completed her graduation from PUC Goias and then served as a lawyer at Fonseca, Manatta, Monteiro.
Later, she served as an assistant Judge at the Court of Justice of the State of Goias. She currently owns the Pizzeria do Mercado.
On January 17, 2025, Marcela recently paid tribute to her stepfather, Dornbach, through her Instagram handle by posting a video of them spending quality time with each other. She wrote,
Peter – or Piririca, as Rafa used to say – saying goodbye to you last night on the phone was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life… and knowing that it would be the last time I would hear your voice and your last breaths left me devastated… It’s with a broken heart, but also full of longing, that I say goodbye again… And this time, I also express my gratitude for everything you experienced during these 27 years of marriage with my mother. Your strength, your teachings, your peace and joy of living will always be with me. You were my example, my safe haven and you will always be my hero. I love you forever ❤️Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the people who had the privilege of living with you! Go with God!
Marcela Fonseca
Marcela and her husband, whose identity has not been revealed, have one son, Rafa Fonseca, 9, born in May 2015.
On May 2023, Marcela took to her official Instagram handle and wished Rafa an eighth happy birthday. She wrote,
My forever “baby” turns 8 today!!! 🥰🥰🥰
Marcela Fonseca
Maria’s second daughter, Pietra, has avoided social media, so only a little information about her life is available.
On the other hand, Maria’s son, Juliano Fonseca, who lives in Zottegem, Belgium, worked as a sales executive at URBS Real Estate. He also served at TIP Bike Tours until 2020.
Juliano also paid tribute to his stepfather, Peter, on January 16, 2025, calling him “The Greatest.” He posted a video of the tribute on his official Facebook handle.
Additional Information
- Peter Clark Dornbach is survived by his brother Charles (Chuck) of Reno.
- Growing up in Belvedere and on Mt. Tam in Mill Valley, Peter and one or more of his friends would often forget to attend elementary school as they could often be found fishing, riding bikes, or exploring.
- Maria Celia’s ex-husband Julio has one brother named Luiz Fonseca.
