Archived Obituaries

Milton R. (Mitty) Hitchcock passed away in Redwood City. He was born on Sept. 28, 1925, in Salinas, CA, to Milton and Louise Hitchcock, a pioneer Salinas Valley family, 3rd generation. He lived in Hollister since 1992. He graduated from Salinas High School in 1944 and served his country in the Merchant Marines before attending UC Davis. He graduated in 1950 from UC Davis and worked for his father at Hitchcock Packing. During Mitty's produce career, he worked at Salinas Marketing Co-op, NH3 Fertilizer, partner in Let-Us-Pak, co-owner of C&H Packing, and custom grower for various produce companies. He was in the produce industry for 40 years. Mitty retired in 1993 and was an avid bird hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Elks, NRA, SIRS, Salinas Golf and Country Club, Bolado Park Golf Course, Ducks Unlimited and a charter member of Salinas Gun Club.

George W. Jean, Jr. died in Sunnyvale. Arrangements are pending through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home.

Mrs. Shiela Bertao passed away at 38 years old at home in Chowchilla, CA, from massive heart failure.

Joseph Anthony Farinella of San Jose passed away Sunday, November 12, 2006, after a brief illness. He had recently celebrated his 79th birthday, surrounded by his family.

Petra H. Cruz, a caring Gilroy resident, passed away at the age of 56 of liver cancer on November 10, 2006, in the presence of her family. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Ricardo P. Cruz. She was the loving mother to Luciana (Arturo) Fuentes, Elizabeth Cruz-Castro, Ricardo Cruz, Jr., Josefina (Juan) Cruz Moreno. A devoted grandmother to 13 grandchildren. The daughter to Juana Quintanar, whom she loved very much. The special sister to Ricardo (Pilar) Quintanar, Helen Salinas, Georgia (Moises) Fuentes, and Gloria (Juan) Ojeda. The caring aunt to many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her father Jose F. Quintanar, her brother Leonard P. Quintanar and her sister Virginia P. Quintanar. We will always have her in our hearts and will remember her forever. She was a hard working woman who loved and cared for her family and also for her community. She always took the time to help others in need. She enjoyed making crafts.

Marguerite Ann "Peggy" Hart passed away at her home from a short illness on Saturday November 4th at the age of 82 years. A native of Jordan, Montana Peggy lived in Hollister since 1964. Peggy was a former bus driver for the physically challenged as well as a

Winnie Williams, age 89, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, entered into rest peacefully on 11-10-06. She was the wife of the late Reginald Williams, beloved mother of Janice Avila (Ray), Gae-Lynne Stewart (Al), Ross Williams (Heidi) and Garry Williams (Peggy); cherished grandmother of 13 and great-grandmother of 15. She was a 23 year resident of Gilroy and honorary member of Beta Sigma Phi. Winnie had a passion and a love of bingo, enjoyed flowers and dogs, of which "Peanut" was her favorite.

Milton R. "Mitty" Hitchcock died in Redwood City on November 13, 2006.

Martha Blanco Ponce passed away November 8, 2006, at Grover Beach, after a long bout with cancer. Martha was a long-time resident of Gilroy.

John P. Ansier passed away in Hollister. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at St. Casimir's Cemetery in Chicago, IL.