News

Dorothy Firmalo Tigson (94) - On May 20, 2018, Dorothy Firmalo Tigson, age 94, passed away peacefully in Clovis, California, with loved ones nearby. Dorothy was born in Madera, California, to John and Alice Michiyo Firmalo on September 1, 1923, the oldest of seven children.
   
The start of World War II ushered in two unhappy episodes in the life of her family: the death of her father in her junior year of high school and the internment of her family in a relocation center (Fresno Assembly Center) in the middle of her senior year. This was because her mother, although an American born citizen, was of Japanese descent. Being the oldest, Dorothy then had more responsibilities with her family. Her father was Filipino, a proud American Legionnaire and a Master Mason. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War I. The Madera American Legion Commander and members, his Masonic Brethren and local businessmen took only three months to secure the family’s pardon and return to their Madera home.

Philip John Gallegos (88), a lifelong resident of Madera, California passed away on May 14, 2018. He retired from the Madera Unified School District as a Maintenance III and Locksmith. Philip was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign War (Post 1981), a Life Member of the Madera Historical Society, a Member of the CSEA Retiree Unit, recognized as the 2013 Madera County Old Timer’s King, and a Member of St. Joachim’s Church.

Philip served in the United States Army in Korea from 1952 to 1954, achieved the rank of Corporal, awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and served in the Army reserves for five years. Philip most enjoyed spending time with his family but also loved treasure hunting at yard sales and tinkering with bikes and clocks.

Anna Lattanzio Del Bianco (88), passed away on Saturday, May 12, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 88 years. Anna was born in College Point in the Boroughs of Queens in New York City, to Italian Immigrants, Nicholas and Lucia Zaino Lattanzio. She along with her parents moved to Madera, California where she graduated from Madera Union High School with the Class of 1948. Her 3 brothers following World War II joined the family in Madera where they became well known members of the then small town of Madera with it’s large Italian community.

Anna met and married Elmo Del Bianco who’s parents Georgio and Lela Del Bianco had opened Lucca’s Italian Restaurant in 1935. Anna and Elmo along with brother-in-law and sister-in-law Sirio and Victoria became co-owners and operators of the Madera landmark. Following the retirement of her in-laws, her son George joined Anna and Elmo in the operation of the Restaurant until it’s closure in 1999. Anna was an integral part in the operation of the restaurant over the years and even after it’s closure was sought after to make the legendary Lucca’s raviolis and delicious sauce from her home kitchen. In recent years Anna was residing in Santa Barbara, California.

Yoshio "Yosh" Shinkawa (96) of Fresno, CA, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018, at Orchard Park. He was born in Fresno, CA, on April 19, 1922, to the late Toshio and Kinu Shinkawa, who immigrated to the United States from Japan in 1910. Yosh was a member of the Fresno Bowles Church, Bowles Shinwakai and Fresno Buddhist Church. He was a raisin farmer for 70 years.

He attended Washington Union High School and graduated in June of 1941. The following year he was relocated to Jerome, AK, with his family during WWII. After the war ended the family was able to return to their home in Fresno to continue with their raisin farming. They were very grateful to their neighbors who oversaw the ranch and farmed it during the family's internment period. Yoshio eventually purchased his own 60-acre farm in Caruthers, CA, and farmed there for the next 58 years until the death of his wife, Mary Shinkawa.

Mrs. Jessie Mae Williamson (90), a native of Hope, AR and resident of Madera, CA for 66 years, passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Jurupa Valley, CA. She was a health care provider and a devoted member of the Grace Tabernacle Church in Fairmead, CA. Jessie was a quilter and enjoyed home canning. She also enjoyed gift shopping and collecting Christmas memorabilia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Roxie (Johnson) Garland, her husband Clarence Leon Williamson, who passed away in December of 1990, daughter Kathy Williamson and brothers John Garland, J.C. Garland and Jim G. Garland.

Eugene N. “Pete” Harlow, 87, a long time Raymond resident, passed away Wednesday, April 11, in Fresno, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, sisters and nephews. A native of the Usona area of Mariposa, Pete was born on October 12, 1930 to Maude Leonard Harlow and Ed Harlow at the family home ranch on Usona Road.

His maternal grandfather was Archibald Campbell Leonard, a noted guide and one of the first rangers of Yosemite National Park. Leonard accompanied President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir on their 1903 tour of Yosemite. His father Ed Harlow, was one of the first Native-Americans in the state of California to be elected to a county seat when he was elected to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors in 1936.