Tony Melillo, beloved husband, father and grandfather, and valued friend passed away peacefully in his home on June 17, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was 94 years of age. His capacity for hard work was exceeded only by his capacity for the love of his family. He was an entertaining storyteller, recounting days past, and sharing laughter with all who listened.
Tony was a true native son of Los Banos from his birth to his death. As a child he began working in the family dairy, milking the cows before school and delivering the milk to Golden State Creamery. At the ripe, old age of 9, almost unable to see over the hood or reach the three pedals, he began driving the family’s Ford Model-T, as his father did not drive. One evening when taking his parents into town to do the shopping, an encounter with California Patrol Man Billy Birch put a quick end to that with an order, “If you touch that car again, I’ll give you a $50 fine.” The family pushed the car to the curb and walked to a friend’s house to get a ride back home.
Tony graduated from Los Banos High School in 1941. He was an accomplished accordion player and teacher. An exquisite young woman, Theresa Palazzo, approached him to ask him to teach her brother to play as beautifully as he did. She became his cherished wife of 71 years, bringing her a cup of coffee in bed every morning. They spent their lifetimes treasuring each other and being role models for the generations that followed.
Tony and Theresa worked together with her father and brothers on their family farm. Year by year they incrementally added land, and transformed it into a thriving ranch. He was a master welder. He could design, fix or build anything. He created candelabras for the church of his favorite priest, Father Keenan. He made headboards, curtain rods and tables for his family, or re-designed and fabricated faulty parts on a tractor or combine with precision.
Tony was respected in his community, as a founding member in 1957 and later the Director and then President of the San Luis Resource Conservation District, a board member on the Advisory Committee of the San Luis Canal Company since 1974, and board member for the Los Banos Cemetery District, appointed by Supervisor Jerry O’Banion in 1997. He was also a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, Society of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Native Sons of the Golden West, and a Druid for more than 50 years.
When he wasn’t working in the fields or the shop, he was working in his garden harvesting gorgeous tomatoes or peppers. He enjoyed fishing in the rivers around Yosemite, and on trips to Alaska with his grandsons and friends. In later years, he took the opportunity to travel with his wife and visited Europe, Asia and South America, open to life and its new experiences. The occasional trip to the casino was always fun, win or lose. Ice cream may’ve been his favorite food, and was also choice for his last meal.
He was preceded in death by his parents Vincenzo and Rosina Melillo, and his two sisters Angelina Bottoni and Mary Masullo.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa and their daughter Angie Gerber, Palm Desert, CA, grandsons Dean Lavine, Palm Springs, CA and Matt Lavine (Amber), Sausalito, CA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the American Heart Society, https://donatenow.heart.org, American Heart Association / American Stroke Association Donations Processing Ctr. 1710 Gilbreth Road Burlingame, CA 94010-1795; Stand Up To Cancer, http://www.standup2cancer.org, PO Box 843721,Los Angeles, CA 90084-3721; or the charity of your choice.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, June 21 at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel from 5-7pm, 1840 Center Ave, Los Banos, CA 93635 followed by the Rosary at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 1621 Center Ave, Los Banos, CA 93635. Burial at Los Banos Cemetery District. Services entrusted to Whitehurst Funeral Chapel-Los Banos.