ANGELO GREGORY PAPAGNI

Angelo G. Papagni was born on March 19, 1921, 95 years ago, in Fresno, CA, to Demetrio, a grape farmer, and his wife Rose, who emigrated from Italy. Married in 1944, Angelo and his beloved wife of 73 years, Blanche Mastrantuono, was a devoted and joyful father. Together they raised five children. A devout Catholic, he never missed Sunday Mass, always attending daily lenten Mass. He breathed his love of life into everyone he met. Angelo started farming at age nine when tall enough to follow his father's footprints in the soft vineyard rows. Having attended Fresno High School and Fresno State College, he supported Viticulture and Enology there, both financially and with leadership. He played the saxophone at the old Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno in the jazz age. A professional musician, he was selected to play for the John Phillip Souza Band, later making his career in farming alongside his father. Loving adventure, he became a pilot. He farmed with the same vitality that marked his entire life. Through the depression, Angelo grew and shipped grapes to the east for home wine makers, which continues today under labels he preserved and pioneered. He dreamed of wines from San Joaquin Valley grapes, recalling international acclaim for dry preprohibition wines. Using farming techniques learned here and abroad, Angelo started his winery in 1973. His belief led to his first gold medals in Italy in 1976. By 1986, Angelo earned the moniker "Maverick In the Big Valley". Today, his advances in grape juice concentrate enhanced quality wines made at home. He touched the lives of many in his long and fruitful life. He is survived by his wife, Blanche; five children, Marilyn, Rosemary, Kathleen, Dana, and Demetrio; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the Angelo Papagni scholarship fund in support of agriculture students at Fresno State University. Donations may be mailed to Ag One Foundation, 2910 E. Barstow Ave., Fresno, CA 93704. Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559)227-4048