Patterson and Grayson Obituaries 1944, Page 1
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Avilla, John D 441124 p1
Funeral Rites Held For John D. Avila, Sr.; Crows Landing, Nov. 22. -- Funeral services were held in the Catholic Church here this morning at ten o'clock for John D. Avilla. Sr., local dairyman, who passed away on Sunday in the West Side Hospital at Newman where he had been receiving treatment for the past two weeks. The rites were conducted by Rev. Manuel Rose and interment was made in the Hills Ferry Cemetery at Newman. Rosary services had been held on Monday and Tuesday evenings in the Davis Chapel in that city. Avilla was a native of the Azores and 70 years old and had been a resident of the United States for 50 years. His dairy is located two miles north of here. He was a member of I. D. E. S. No. 87. Surviving are his wife, Mary, his son, John, Jr:, and a brother; Manuel, whose home is in Alameda.
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Baccala Maria 440331 p1
Passing of Mrs. Charles Baccala; Mrs. Maria Baccala, wife of Charles Baccala and a resident of this area for the past 27 years, passed away at a Modesto hospital Monday following an extended illness. A native of Switzerland, she was 60 years of age. Beside her husband, she is survived by a sister, Mrs. Louisa Borradori of Gustine. Funeral services were held at the Newman Catholic Church yesterday morning followed by interment there. Rev. Henry Plunkett officiated.
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Benson C A 440303 p4
Passing of C. A. Benson Friday at Modesto; Stricken suddenly in a Modesto store Friday afternoon. Charles A. Benson, long time local resident, passed away a few hours later in a hospital there, victim of a heart attack. A native of Sweden, the deceased was 84 years of age and had resided In Patterson Colony for 33 years, coming here in the first months of development of the colony. Retiring from farming after many years, he was custodian of Las Palmas School until his retirement from active work. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Emma Benson, and by the following children; Harvey Benson of Modesto; William Benson of Los Angeles; Mrs. Alice Munz of Modesto; Mrs. Walter Sorensen of Patterson and Raymond Benson of the United States Navy. All were here for the services with the exception of Raymond. He is also survived by a brother, Edward, of Minnesota, and a sister, Mrs. Amanda Grein of Billings, Montana. Eight grandchildren survive him. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon from the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. Russell Moline officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.
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Bertao Anthony 441020 p2
Missing Crows Landing Boy Now Listed as Killed; Crows Landing, Oct. 18. -- All hope that Anthony Bertao, Crows Landing soldier serving in Italy, might be a prisoner of war was dashed away Monday afternoon when a telegram reached here from the War Department stating definitely that the youth had been killed in action. Listed As Missing -- Last week, Anthony was listed as missing in action and, owing to the rapid changes in the combat area, there was a possibility that he might still be alive. But Tuesday's message brought the word that his body had been found. And so another Gold Star is placed upon the township's service flag. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bertao, whose dairy ranch home is three miles east of here, Anthony entered the service two years ago and was assigned to an infantry division which went overseas eight months ago to be stationed in the Italian sector.
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Borges Joe C 440728 p1
Joe C. Borges Passes Away at His Home; Joe C. Borges, West Side dairyman for a long period of years, passed away at his South Fourth Street home Tuesday following an extended illness. A native of the Azores, he was 69 years of age. He had resided in California 38 years, living in the Gustine area before coming to Patterson 10 years ago to a dairy ranch in the south end of the Colony, until his retirement to a home in town. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and seven children - - Joe, Jr., of Turlock, John and Leslie of Tracy, Mrs. Alice Garcia and Tony of Gustine and Gladys and Willie of Patterson. Eight brothers and sisters also survive him -- Mrs. Rosie Alves of Chowchilla; Manuel Borges of Massachusetts; Vozirno Borges of San Jose; Mrs. Frances Mello of Woodland, and two sisters and two brothers in the Azores. rosary services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel last evening. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. today at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Manuel F. Rose, in charge, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery.
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Brennan James 440114 p1
James Brennan, - Pioneer of West Side, Passes; James A. Brennan, one of the real old-timers of the West Side, passed away at Santa Cruz Wednesday at the age of 88. Born in Sonora, his family moved to the West Side when he was 8 years old and he spent most of his life in this area, being- active in farming in the Vernalis section until about 15 years ago. Funeral services will be held at the Chase Parlor at Santa Cruz at 2 p.m., Saturday.
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Brennan James 440121 p2
Funeral of Pioneer Held; Funeral services were held at Santa Cruz Saturday for James Brennan, 88, pioneer of the Vernalis area, whose death was briefly mentioned last week. Further information on his life is now available. Coming to this section at the age of 8, he grew up to settle on a ranch 3 miles south of Vernalis. He married Miss Jennie Hammonds, sister of J. M. Hammonds, another pioneer settler. Their only child, Ethel, married J. G. Ryan, who took over operation of the ranch when Brennan retired to Capitola to reside about 13 years ago. Mrs. Ryan passed away several years ago. Four grandchildren survive Brennan -- Ray Ryan of San Francisco; Lloyd Ryan in the Army, Kenneth Ryan in the Navy and Mrs. Dorothy Voigt of Capitola. Another Old Settler Passes; And by a coincidence, J. P. Hammonds, son of J. M. Hammonds, reports the recent passing of Miss Helah Laird, housekeeper in the Hammonds home who cared for him through childhood. The daughter of a member of the Donner Party, Miss Laird was with the Hammonds for approximately 30 years, leaving here in 1924 to reside in Campbell, where she passed away.
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Brunoni Peter 440414 p1
Sudden Passing of Peter Brunoni Sunday; Death struck suddenly for Peter Brunoni Sunday evening as he passed away at the family home on Almond Avenue following: an illness of but two days, as a result of complications resulting from a throat infection. A native of Switzerland, the decreased was 43 years of age and had resided in Patterson since 1914, three years after his arrival in this country. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Emma Brunoni; two daughters, Jeanne and Audrey, and one son. Peter, Jr. He also leaves his mother, Mrs. Mary Brunoni of Patterson. He was the brother of Max and Antone Brunoni, Mrs. Lucy Del Nero and Mrs. Esther Pedroni, all of Patterson; Mrs. Mabel Basuini of San Jose and Mrs. Mary Lombardini and Mrs. Elva Perocelli of San Joaquin. Services were held Wednesday morning at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Father Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery.
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Cardoso Joseph M 440107 p4
Nephew Is Killed In Plane Crash; Crows Landing, Jan. 5.-- Mr. and Mrs. Emidio A. Melo received word on Monday afternoon that their nephew, Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Cardoso of the Ferrying Command, was killed earlier in a plane crash. The youth, 26 years of age, was a co-pilot and no details were available here up until noon today. Cardoza was the son of the late Joe M. Cardoza and of Mrs. Georgina M. Cardoso of Stratford, and the brother of Mrs. Manuel Rosa of Waukina, Mrs. Manuel Costa of Fresno, Mrs. Albert Martin and Lee, Emidio and Demas Cardoso of Stratford, and PPC. Anthony Cardoso, U. S. Marines. Mrs. Cardoso is a sister of Mr. Melo, and Mrs. Melo and her daughter, Mrs. Marie Silva, left on Monday afternoon for Stratford.
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Carlson Hulda 440204 p1
Passing of Mrs. Albert Carlson; Mrs. Hulda Carlson, wife of Albert Carlson, passed away at the family home on Fig and Sycamore Avenues Monday morning following a long illness. A native of Sweden, she was 71years of age and had resided here for the past 25 years. She is survived by two sons, Eugene and Paul, both of Patterson, and one sister, Mrs. Martha Carlson of Illinois, the sisters having married brothers. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel yesterday afternoon with Rev. Joseph Broman and Rev. Russell H. Moline taking part in the services, followed by interment in the Turlock Cemetery.
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Cheatham Oliver 440428 p1
Death of Oliver Cheatham; Oliver Cheatham former Pattersonite and brother of Cullom Cheatham, passed away at Modesto last week. following a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held there Saturday afternoon. He is survived by his wife and four children; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cheatham of Modesto, and brother, Floyd, of San Jose.
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Costa John V 440804 p1
Heart Attack Fatal For John V. Costa; Slumping over suddenly at the wheel of a car he was sitting in in Gilroy Tuesday, John V. Costa expired following a heart attack. A native of the Azores, Costa was 56 years of age. He had resided on Apricot Avenue for the past 7 years. He had been in this country for 36 years. He is survived by his widow Emily, and eleven children as follows: John V. Costa of Merced; Tony Costa of Newman; Joe Costa of Los Banos; Mrs. Emily Dias of Patterson; Manuel Costa of Lemoore; and Frank, Margaret, Arthur, Lorraine, Eugene and Bobbie Costa of Patterson. A brother resides in Massachusetts; his mother and two sisters are in the Azores and one sister in Lisbon. Seven grandchildren also survive him. Rosary services were held last evening at the Evans Funeral Chapel and funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock this morning at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery.
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Cox Frank Jr 441229 p1
Frank Cox, Jr, Killed in Action; Had Previously Been Reported Missing In Germany; Patterson Township's grim toll of war casualties went up another notch Tuesday as a War Department telegram brought word to Mrs. Ann Cox that her son, Frank, Cox , Jr., had been killed in action Thanksgiving Day, November 23, in Germany. Just two weeks previous, a wire had reported him missing and the second messages wiped out any hopes of his still being alive. As nearly as could be figured he had been at the front less than two weeks, being rushed in as an engineer replacement in the First Army, battling near the Holland border. Son of a pioneer family of the area, Frank was 20 years of age. He attended the Westley grammar school and Patterson High School but graduated from Bellamarine Preparatory School in San Jose whence he went to Santa Clara University. Leaving there to enter officers' training school for the Army Engineer Corps, his studies were interrupted when officer quotas were filled last April and he was transferred to the ranks. Following basic training he had been overseas less than two months when he was killed. He is survived by five sisters -- Mrs. Betty King, Mrs. Jane Thomas, Mrs. Madelyn Chatton, Mrs. Frances Mallory and Miss Mary Louise Cox, and one brother, John.
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Crow B F 440505 p1
Pioneer Crows Landing Man Passes Away; B. F. Crow, a pioneer of Crows Landing until his retirement a few years ago, passed away Wednesday morning at Modesto. Funeral services are to be held on Friday afternoon at two o'clock at the Shannon Chapel, with Rev. W. R. Baird. pastor of the First Christian Church of Modesto, conducting the rites. Interment will be in the family plot in Modesto Cemetery. Born near Oakdale 77 years ago. Crow came to Crows Landing in his early youth and the family home was maintained for nearly half a century on the ranch east of that city. With Mrs. Crow, who survives him, he has made his home in Modesto for the past few years. His two sons are Roy of Vallejo and Arthur of Westley. Mrs. Ethel Leitch of Oakdale and Mrs. Edith Epply of Santa Cruz are his sisters. His brother, Herbert, resides at Gilroy.
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Davis Melvin R 440915 p2
Infant Dies At Modesto; Melvin Ray Davis, 3-mos. old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Davis of Grayson, passed away at a Modesto hospital Monday. Besides his parents he is survived by one brother. Graveside services were held at Del Puerto Cemetery Tuesday afternoon.
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DeCregori George W 440728 p5
Cleaning Plant Employee Dies at Gustine; George W. DeCregori, a resident of Gustine since his birth 47 years ago, passed away in the West Side Hospital at Newman late Sunday evening after having been moved there for treatment the day before. He had been in failing health for several months, although he had been continuing his work as driver of a pick-up and delivery truck for the West Side Cleaners at Patterson. A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the Gustine Post of the American Legion and also of West Side Council, Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Pearl, his son. George, Jr., and six brothers and sisters. They are Joseph and Louis of Los Banos, Frank and Mrs. Annie Canale of Santa Cruz, Antone of Newman, and Mrs. Mary Avila of Gustine.
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Del Nero Paul 440107 p1
Paul Del Nero, Pioneer Dairy Man, Passes; Crows Landing:, Jan. 6 -- Paul Del Nero, for 44 year a resident of this community, passed away early Tuesday morning at his dairy ranch home three miles north of here. He had been in failing, health for several months. Funeral services were held this morning at ten o'clock in the Catholic Church here, with Rev. Manuel F. Rose conducting the mass. Interment followed in the Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery. Rosary Services were held on Wednesday evening in the Davis Chapel at Newman. Del Nero was a native of Italy born 73 years ago. He came directly to California from his homeland to make this state his residence for half a century. He is survived by his wife Albania, and eight children. They are Thomas, George and William of Crows Landing, Charles of Patterson, Mrs. Lillian Palmer of Fresno, Mrs. Mae Beach of Turlock, Mrs. Rose Pirrone of Salida, and Mrs. Mary Costa of Crockett. A brother, James, resides at Sacramento.
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Dickson Harlan R 440211 p1
Two Die in Crash of Local Bomber Harlan Rocky Dickson; Surviving the Battles of Midway ind Coral Sea with citation for heroism, only to die in a routine training flight was the fate of Lt. Com. Harlan Rocky Dickson. 29, skipper of a squadron at the Crows Landing Auxiliary Air Station Saturday. With him died Edward Hlywa, 21, aviation radioman 1st class. The crash occurred near San Luis Obispo, where witnesses saw the dive bomber he was piloting go into a dive from which it never recovered. Dickson was awarded two Navy Crosses. One was for blasting two carriers in the Battle of the Coral Sea; the other for locating the enemy carrier which sent planes to mortally wound the Yorktown in the Battle of Midway and for directing planes to the enemy ship, which was sunk in turn. He also assisted in sinking three other Jap vessels at Midway. In other actions, he participated in the first raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and on Guadalcanal and Tulagi.
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Dogan Selma J 440218 p1
Newman Crash -- The fatal mishap near Newman occurred Saturday evening when Pvt. Selma J. Dogan of Fort Ord was fatally injured and Mr. and Mrs. Sampel Wynn and baby received minor injuries. Manslaughter charges have been filed against John J. Toledo, Gustine milk truck driver, charged with driving on the wrong side of the road and with being intoxicated when his truck hit the Wynn car. Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe investigated the crash and filed the charges. According to McCabe, his investigation revealed that Wynn was traveling north at the time, with Dogan, probably asleep, sitting alone in the rear seat of the sedan. Toledo, driving a 1oaded milk truck, was headed south. Tire marks, McCabe said, as well as the statement of Wynn, indicated that Toledo was driving on the wrong side of the highway. As Wynn swerved to his right to avoid a collision, the truck careened towards him, the steel body raking the sedan from the window at the driver's side and cutting clear through to the back, striking Dogan in the chest with crushing effect. The truck proceeded down the left side of the road for some 200 feet, with cans of milk being thrown into the ditch alongside, before being stopped in its proper lane. The sedan, after passing the intersection at that point, came to a halt cross-wise of the road, facing west. Dogan was 34 years old and his home address is Roanoke, Virginia. His body was shipped there on Monday, upon instructions received from his wife, Odessa, who resides at Roanoke.
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Dominguez Gabriel 440609 p1
Passing of G. Dominguez at Stockton; Gabriel Dominguez, well-known local sheep man, passed away at Stockton on Thursday of last week.. A native of Spain, the deceased was 56 years of age and had resided in this area for many years. He is survived by his brother, Domingo, of Patterson. Funeral services were held at Stockton Wednesday with interment in San Joaquin Cemetery.
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Dristy Glen 441103 p1
Drowns in Spill From Speedboat; Glen Dristy Victim Of Mishap At Turlock Reservoir; A speedboat enthusiast who could not swim. That summed up the story of Glen Dristy, local mechanic, who was drowned Sunday afternoon in the Turlock Irrigation District Reservoir when his outboard motorboat threw him out. The fatality occurred despite the heroic effort of Dave Goldstein, 17, who almost gave his own life in attempting to save Dristy. The two had gone to the reservoir that afternoon to try out Dristy's boat, which he had been working on in his spare time in an ambition to build the fastest speedboat in the county, a goal which he was close to achieving. With Dristy at the tiller, they were making fast speed when another craft passed across their bow and they struck the wave from its wash, causing Dristy's boat to rear up and throw him into the water some distance away. Goldstein managed to hang on, but as soon as he saw Dristy struggling in the water he dove out and swam to his aid. But by the time he reached him, Dristy had gone under a couple of times in a panicky struggle, and Goldstein had a difficult time handling him, almost being drawn under himself.. Although a good swimmer, he was of much smaller build them Dristy. But he pluckily hung on until the other motorboat swung around and came up to aid them. By that time. Goldstein was almost exhausted, so that when the rescuers reached out from the boat and tried to yank him in first, the unconscious form slipped from his tired fingers and sank like a rock.
Local-Search Party -- Following a perfunctory visit to the scene by Coroner Jack Ransome, no effort to drag for the body was made by county officials, and Monday morning Jack Metcalf, friend and former employer of the deceased, rallied a group of a dozen from here to go up to the reservoir. They dragged the lake from 11 until 5:40 in the evening when the body was found. It was brought to Patterson, but a wire from Nebraska relatives ordered immediate shipment back there and no services were held here. Ex-Service Man -- Dristy was about 27 years of age, according to Metcalf, exact details being unavailable in the absence of any relatives here. He was an adopted son of a Prairie Home, Nebraska, family, where the remains were shipped. He had resided here about two years, although of this eleven months were spent in service from February to November 1943, being honorably discharged for physical disability. He had married an Oakland girl, but the couple had separated, reportedly because she had not completed divorce proceedings from another man. He was employed as a mechanic at the Hendy Garage and was a member of the Patterson American Legion Post.
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Donated by Gale and Jean Stroud
May 2008
Stanislaus Obituary Index
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