Leonard J. Brutocao

Founder of Brutocao Vineyards and Cellars and Founder and CEO of Brutoco Engineering and Construction. Many in this world will be lifting up glass of wine with a salute for Leonard J. Brutocao. The co-founder of Brutocao Vineyards and Cellars as well as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brutoco Engineering and Construction, Inc., died on Sunday, March 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. He was 75. Len was born in Fort Erie, Canada and raised in Covina, CA. He attended the University of California Berkeley where he met and married his sweetheart, Martha Bliss and graduated with a degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University. He began his career in construction working for the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads before joining Miles & Sons. In 1967, Len founded Brutoco Engineering and Construction with his brother Albert Len Brutocao was a founding organizer of Southern California Contractors Association (SCCA) and served as their second president in 1975. He was also active in the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Beavers, a heavy engineering construction association. One cannot leave the Los Angeles area-- plane, train or automobile without crossing one of Len's projects. Len and Albert also co-founded a winery on family property in Hopland, CA. The winery was an homage to the brothers' Italian heritage and their appreciation of good food and wine. Brutocao Cellars of Mendocino County released its first wine with the 1980 vintage. The winery is currently owned and operated by Len's sons, Len Jr., Steve, Dan and David Brutocao and daughter, Renee Ortiz. Len received the honor of Agriculturist of the Year as well as California's Small Businessman of the Year. He served on the board of the Wine Institute as well as the North Coast Grape Growers Association. Len was a dedicated husband to Marty (Martha Bliss Brutocao), father of five, (David, Dan, Len Jr., Renee (Ortiz) and Steven) and "Nonno" to 15 grandchildren (Daniel, Ryan, Kellianne, Connor, Michael, Katie, Kevin, Brian, Alex, Allison, Joe, Dominic, Patrick, Jonah and Madeline.) He spent a lot of time being their champion; supporting his grandkids in all of their activities and endeavors. As well as mentoring his grandkids with their college careers and choices, he was dearly involved with a group that does the same for underprivileged kids; Students Rising Above, located in San Francisco. He enjoyed a game of golf with his sons grandsons and dear friends, playing in the Bob Hope for numerous years and he gladly organized the annual Tres Dias Golf Tournament at South Hills Country Club as well as the annual Father Frank Classic for Manresa Retreat House. He was active with the California Republican Party, was served by appointment as State Chairman of Engineers for Reagan-Bush '84, and attended the 1984 Inaugural and Ball in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his wife, Marty; sisters Agnes Messang, Joan Bellman and her husband, Bob, Patricia Cody and her husband, Tom, sister-in-law Jan Brutocao; five children: David and wife, Leslie, Danny and wife, Dian, Lenny and wife, Debbie, Steven and wife, Tammy and Renée and husband Patrick Ortiz; as well as 15 grandchildren and numerous loved ones that he always treated as family. He was preceded in death by his brother Albert. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at the Brutocao School House Plaza, 13500 So. Highway 101 in Hopland on Wednesday March 31st at 2:00 p.m. Call Brutocao tasting room at 707-744-1664 for directions and a map. The family would like to request in lieu of flowers that donations could be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern California Chapter, 2440 So. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064, or Students Rising Above, P. O. Box 29174, San Francisco, CA 94129.