Sales in Review

The Gil-Tex Stampede Sale 2021 was held February 13 in Turlock with an incredible average of $6665 on 120 lots. High selling Live Lot was Lot J1, Seacord Howacres Tesla (EX-93), All-American Senior 3-Year-Old 2020, who sold for $66,000 to River Valley Dairy, IL. She was consigned by The Jordan Group, The Franchise, River Valley & FTA Syndicate. Lot G2, an IVF Session from Ms T-Spruce Legacy 13312-ET was consigned by T-Spruce Farm, MN, and purchase by Peak Genetics for $72,000. The dam was +2991G A2A2 Legacy (#7 DWP$ Heifer of the Breed) from the Muranda Oscar Lucinda (VG-86 GMD DOM). High Selling Holstein Choice was Lot A, First Choice Thunder Storm or Alligator from Idee Windbrook Lynzi-ET (EX-95), All-Canadian 5-Year-Old ‘19 and Reserve Grand Champion, Ontario Summer Show ‘20. The choice was consigned by JM Valley, Allyn, Gendreau and Borb and purchased for $19,000 by JLD Genetics, France. The Gen-Ace Holsteins Complete Dispersal was held March 18. The sale was managed by Cattle Exchange and Ken Melvold Sales and grossed $2,814,800. Topping the sale was Butlerview Door AK 9312-ET, and Excellent Doorman granddaughter of BVK Atwood AbriannaET (EX-92). She was purchased by Fresno State for $3900. Also selling to Fresno State was Cal-Ticino A Lilly 2557-Red, an Archangel from VG86 Absolute full sister to Wilstar-RS Tlt Limited-Red (EX-94 2E). She was backed by 8 more VG/EX dams back to A Tora Triple Threat Lulu (EX-96 GMD DOM).

Congrats to the Gil-Tex Stampede Sale crew on an outstanding sale! Cal-Ticino A Lilly 2557-Red sold fo $3700 to Fresno State.

Remembering Friends

JAMES “JIM” CARVALHO

James “Jim” Carvalho was born on February 8, 1951 to proud parents, Joe and Adeline Carvalho, in Turlock, CA. He was the youngest in the family and had two older brothers, John and Joe Carvalho. Jim was raised with his siblings on the family dairy farm in Crows Landing, CA. He learned the family business at a young age and developed a love for agriculture. Jim attended the local Mountain View Elementary and Junior High School. He went on to graduate from Turlock High School in 1969 and attended Modesto Junior College. Jim enlisted in the National Guard and served from 1970-1976. Jim married the love of his life, Fran Drake, on October 26, 1974 in Fremont, CA. He continued to work and dairy at his family’s farm and later bought the business with Fran. After they were married, they moved to Crows Landing and lived on his family’s dairy farm where they started their own family. They welcomed their son Michael, and two years later their daughter Melissa followed.

Jim was a dairy and almond farmer throughout his entire career in agriculture. His business grew over the years as he was blessed to be able to work alongside his wife, Fran and son, Michael. Family was always very important to Jim as he loved taking trips with Fran to visit all of his cousins and extended family over the years. In February 2012, his first granddaughter Mallory was born and in September 2014, his second granddaughter Audrey joined the family. He was a doting grandfather and never missed a sports game, dance recital, or school performance.

Jim loved camping with family and friends, going to car shows in his 1965 Pontiac GTO, hanging out with the “Mountain View” crew at Pismo Beach - where he was the “Music Man” - and dancing the night away anywhere there was music and fun to be had! He also enjoyed going to concerts, traveling and shooting a game or two of pool in his basement. He belonged to the Westside Auto Club, Telco Bowling League, PFSA, Turlock Pentecost Association past president, Our Lady of Miracles and Sacred Heart Church. Jim was an active community member and was always there to help a neighbor or friend.

Jim passed away on April 2, 2021 at his residence after being diagnosed with lung cancer in October. Jim is survived by his wife, Fran Carvalho; son Michael (Alison) Carvalho; daughter Melissa (Nathan) CarvalhoUbl; his brothers John (Nancy) Carvalho and Joe E. Carvalho; and grandchildren Mallory and Audrey Carvalho. He is also being mourned by many nephews, great-nephews, nieces, great-nieces, great-great niece, brothers- in-law, sisters- in-law, aunt, uncles and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Adeline Carvalho and nephew Andy Carvalho. Jim will be missed and never forgotten. He was a wonderful man who loved life and his family. Our love for him will live on in our memories and be carried on through our shared stories..

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Jim Carvalho Scholarship Fund for agriculture students at Chase bank.

ANTONIO DUTRA DE MELLO

Antonio (Tony) Dutra De Mello, age 84, of Hilmar, California entered peacefully into rest on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 with his children by his side. Tony was born April 2, 1937 in Porto Judeu, Terceira, Azores to Antonio Fraga De Mello and Amelia Dutra De Mello.

In 1956 as a teenager, he immigrated with his parents and siblings to California. The family settled in Lemoore California, where Tony began working along, side his father at a dairy milking cows. The family eventually moved to southern California and settled in Corona where he continued to work in the dairy industry. While working he started to purchase and raise heifers.

Tony met his former wife and married in 1959 and they had three children. In August of 1968 he packed his small family and moved to Turlock, California to fulfill his dream of owning his own dairy. It was a family affair with the children having their own duties. Tony was in the dairy business for many years. After the dairy he remained active in the agriculture industry with various jobs. The latest was selling hay & commodities to local dairies until just weeks before his death.

Tony loved his trips to the coast, whether it be Pismo Beach, Monterey or any other coastal destination. Along with that came his love for seafood and a glass of wine. He loved going out to eat and enjoyed good home cooked meals as well. One thing his children learned over the years was not to call while he was eating. If he did answer, it was to say he was eating “I call you later”.

Tony loved his family and many good friends over the years. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to him. He always did his best for them. Tony instilled a strong work ethic, love of family and friends, caring for others and a love of good food in his children and great grandchildren. His children and grandchildren will pass these traits on to Tony’s great grandchildren with love.

Tony is survived by: daughter Annette Cozzitorto (Louie) of Gustine; son Tony De Mello Jr. (Uriel) of Turlock; and daughter Lisa Bettencourt of Tulare; sister Mary Galloway (Sam) of Chino and brother Ricky De Mello (Loraine) of Chino; grandson Louie Cozzitorto III (Jennifer); grandson Martin Cozzitorto (Ashley); grandson Tony Bettencourt (Liz); granddaughter Jennifer Miguel (Hunter); great granddaughter Kerrington Cozzitorto; great granddaughter Kensington Cozzitorto; and great grandson Ezra Miguel. Tony is also survived by Velma De Mello of Newman

Tony was preceded in death by his son-in-law Tony Bettencourt and his parents Antonio and Amelia.

Tony was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar. He was also Director for Turlock Pentecost.

Tony served as President of St. Anthony’s, Patterson from 1970-1971, President of Our Lady of Fatima, Turlock from 1982-1983 and President of Our Lady of Miracles, Gustine from 1984-1985.

The Family would like to thank Alexander Cohen Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Tony while he was in their care. Donations can be made in memory of Tony, to Alexander Cohen Hospice 2201 Euclid Avenue, Hughson, CA, 95326.

HENRY MASSARO

Henry Massaro went home to our lord at the age of 94 on February 20, 2021.

He was a hardworking man with a quiet, strong spirit. The family he made with Dorothy, his wife of 65 years, meant the world to him; and was the foundation in which he grounded his life. He loved hosting family dinners and gatherings, especially those that featured his homemade gnocchi and where he could frequently be heard yelling out “Mangia!”

Henry was born to Clara Natalina Griollone Massaro (Azzano d’Asti, Italy) and Giuseppe (Joe) Massaro (Montaldo Scarampi, Italy) in Chowchilla, CA in 1926 where he grew up. Following his graduation from Chowchilla High School, he worked on the family farm until 1950 when he left to serve in the United States Army and Reserves until 1952. Upon his return from military service, Henry’s passion for dairy life grew, as well as his herd of registered Holsteins.

Henry met the love of his life on a trip with friends to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: which is where Dorothy DiSalvo caught his eye. The story goes that friends coaxed him to call out her name, which he did, and the rest was history. Henry and Dorothy (Hank and Dot) were married on June 5, 1955. Exactly one year later, to the date, their first child Stephen was born. Four years later they welcomed their daughter Teresa, and four years after that, Linda.

Through determination and a lot of hard work, Henry and Dorothy built a new home and dairy facility in Chowchilla. His passion for the registered Holstein business would go on for more than six decades, during which time he developed close relationships with many dairy families that he cherished all his life.

Henry was very involved within all aspects of the dairy industry, local agriculture, and in his community over the years. He was a proud member of the Madera/Fresno DHIA, Madera County Farm Bureau, California Holstein Association and served on the Danish Creamery’s Board of Directors. He was part of a group of dairymen that started the county’s Springer Heifer Show and Sale at the Chowchilla Fair, was a founding member of the Merced Mill Co., served on the Madera County Grand Jury and was awarded Madera County Farmer of the Year in 1996. Henry always felt that one should give back to those that helped you succeed. In doing so, he was very active within the local FFA & 4-H organizations. He would hold annual field days for youth to come out to his dairy and experience a day on the farm. That involvement developed into a 12-year seat on the Chowchilla High School Board of Trustees. It was at that time that he spearheaded the drive to build a football stadium, which is now dedicated in his name; one of his proudest honors.

Henry had a deep sense of faith that he passed on to his children. He attended St. Columba Catholic Church in Chowchilla and was a member of the St. Columba YMI.

It was once said that Henry was a quiet man, but when he spoke, you should probably listen. He will be remembered as a stable and strong patriarch, a hardworking dairyman, a humble gentleman, a generous and loyal friend, and a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

Henry is preceded in death by his mother, father, and older brother Johnny Massaro.

He lives through, and is survived by, his wife Dorothy Massaro; brother Peter Massaro and his wife Etta; sister-in-law Edna Massaro; son Stephen Massaro and his wife Kathryn; daughter Teresa Massaro; daughter Linda Prieto and her husband Harold; four grandchildren, Nicole Massaro, David Massaro (Julie Lundy), Claire Prieto, Grace Prieto; and many more family members.

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