Yolo-Tulare County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....BALESTRA , Ernie A.  February 26 2002
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net and Judith Hinton  November 13, 2004, 12:41 pm

Woodland "Daily Democrat," Saturday, March 02, 2002
Ernie A. Balestra

Ernie A. Balestra died in his sister's Fresno home surrounded by loving family
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at age 79.

Born April 27, 1922, in Pixley, Mr. Balestra was the son of Swiss immigrants. He
was raised on his family farm in Clovis. After his father's death in a farm
accident, his mother, brothers, sisters and he continued their farming
enterprise. As a student at Clovis High School he played trumpet and played on
the football and basketball teams. He received the Clovis High Sassano
All-America Blanket quarterbacking the football team to a 7-1 season in 1939.

Mr. Balestra served in the Air Force in Europe during World War II. After the
war he returned to begin a dairy in Sanger, later farming field and row crops
and raising cattle and sheep. He was the founding director of Consolidated Milk
Producers, a member of the Farm Bureau, a 50-year member of the Elks Club and
was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Big Fresno Fair by Gov. George
Deukmejian. His farm was the epitome of efficiency and most of the animals he
raised were for his pure love of animals rather than income. His neighbors knew
him as a Samaritan who spent much of his time helping them with their own daily
chores and challenges. He was one of a diminishing breed - the hard working,
self-sufficient and thoroughly honest family farmer.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Geraldine Balestra; daughter, Lisa
Marott; son, Senator Jim Nielsen; sister, Eda Hensley; granddaughters, Daysha
Vance, Prima, Brandi, and Melissa; grandsons, Brandt, Jim, Adam, and Bryan; and
great grandchildren, James, Brittney and Logan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Balestra was preceded in death by his father, Sam; and mother, Erminia;
daughter, Denise; sister, Olga and brothers, Oliver and Fred.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 2, at the Clovis
Veteran's Memorial Hall, Clovis.

The family requests memorials be directed to the charity of the donor's choice.

Farewell Funeral Services of Fresno is handling cremation arrangements.


Additional Comments:
Submitted with the permission of the "The Daily Democrat," 711 Main St.,
Woodland, CA 95695.  

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