"UNCLE LEO"
Obituary Leo Vanoni
Somis
Leo Vanoni passed away quietly surrounded by family at his home in Somis, CA on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at the age of 98.
He was born August 28, 1915 to Tranquilla del Georgio and Attilio Vanoni in Somis on the farm of his grandparents, Battista and Marianna Vanoni. The family moved to nearby Saticoy in 1916, where he attended Saticoy Elementary School, at first speaking only Italian, but worked hard to learn English. His mother died in 1926, and his aunt, Zia Albina Pedraglia, helped Attilio care for his then family of five, (sister) Melba, Leo, (brothers) Aldo, Ives, and Albert. In 1929, Attilio married Romita Gossi and (sister) Helen, (brother), Joseph and (sisters) Irene and Rita were born. Leo graduated from Ventura High School with the class of 1936. While he was in high school the pastor of San Buenaventura Mission asked the shop teacher if a student could help him by repairing the crown of the Madonna. Leo proudly told the story of how he was asked to do the task.
In 1938 Leo and his father traveled to the family’s town of origin, San Pietro, Italy, but soon decided to return home due to the rising Fascist regime and unrest in Europe. When war broke out Leo joined other young men trying to enlist, and was frustrated when told by Congressman Teague, a member of the local draft board, to “go home and farm.” During the war Leo served as a member of the Civil Defense and was involved in the discovery of a Japanese balloon explosive that landed in the Santa Clara River. He worked on the family’s farms milking cows and growing dry lima beans, sugar beets, walnuts, and apricots, often helping or being hired by neighbors. Travel through the county with Leo was always a lesson in local history, hearing stories of family and neighbors, who lived where, happenings and activities of the day and what crops were grown.
In 1944 Leo took the “best piece of advice [he’d] ever been given”, and went to be introduced to a young woman in Santa Susana, Rita Schreiber. They were married on August 15, 1945 at St. Rose of Lima Church, and that day, church bells rang not only for the happy couple but also to proclaim the end of World War II. Ration coupons they were gifted on the occasion were not needed and became a part of their wedding album, but one of their favorite gifts was a twenty foot wooden plank that they placed across the Brown Barranca in Saticoy to give them a short cut to church.
The young couple, partnering with Melba and Albert, bought property and moved to Somis in 1949. Grandpa Attilio had always admired the panorama offered by the land and suggested the name, Rancho Bella Vista. During his time managing the ranch Leo became an early member the Sunkist Cooperative and Calavo Growers.
Leo worked hard, but also played hard and knew the importance of community. He was a member of the Ventura Boat Club, Sons of Italy, Italian Catholic Federation, Knights of Columbus, and, lately, the Café 126 coffee group. However, Leo made his biggest contribution as a 4-H leader. As a summer camp leader he became “Uncle Leo” to many on their first journey away from home, and even made the duty of cleaning outhouses tolerable.
At the 1956 county fair Leo and a group of 4-H leaders, put together a display of barnyard animals under an old tent. Leo saw the need to continue to provide this connection to agriculture for Ventura County families. The exhibit became Uncle Leo’s Barn and has become a fair tradition. He received the Ventura County Fairs’ MVP Award and the Western States Fair & Exposition Association Blue Ribbon Award in recognition of his unique exhibit and years of service to Ventura County. And the “fair family” held a special place in his heart.
Leo is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Rita; children Charles (Laurie) Vanoni, Marie (Jeff) Barratt, Laura (Roger) Masonheimer; Edna (David) Ennis and Glenn (Cheryl) Vanoni; eleven grandchildren, Charlie (Jewelyn) Vanoni, Ginger (Sven) Skoog, Matthew Vanoni, Mark (Gwyndolin) Vanoni, Jeffrey (Anne) Carter, Heather (Chris) Walker, Michaela (Michael) Otani, Nicole (Anthony) Brooks, Tara Vanoni, Gwen Vanoni and Brandon Vanoni; and twelve great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Lisa Aquino for her caring, nursing, support and for becoming part of the family. Also, niece Gina Kacerek for her loving patience and nurturing, and Livingston Memorial Hospice for their assistance.
Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 14, 2014 at Sacred Heart Church, 10800 Henderson Road in Saticoy. Funeral Mass in thanksgiving and celebration of Leo’s life will be held Friday, August 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM also at Sacred Heart Church. Services are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, Ventura.
In lieu of flowers the family would be grateful for any contribution to the Leo & Rita Vanoni Scholarship Fund in care of Ventura County Community Foundation, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite A, Camarillo, CA 93022 or online at: Http://www.vccf.org/zcom/donation/display.do?compid=721&prodid=251
“Family is everything, and everyone is family.” – Leo Vanoni
Condolences may be left at www.ReardonFuneral.com
LOGO