Donald Andrew Luvisi

I am so sorry I was not able to be with family and friends to participate in Don's "sendoff". Although he had a little bit of a gruff side of him, I remember him fondly and I will continue to remember him fondly.

I only knew of Don through his daughter and her family. They are a testament to him in many ways. He certainly made numerous contributions to the Ag community, his country and his family during his life, truly a life well lived! All of my love and prayers for peace go out to those who remain with us here.

Don was my cousin, older than myself so I didn´t know him as well as my other cousins. There were five local cousins living no more than 5 miles apart. The families were and are a tight knit group with each other as well as our other "out of town" cousins. Italian families coming together with love every major holiday. Don was a fantastic cook, the life of the party. Hard working family man who took time to talk to each cousin at every gathering. He was humble. I never knew he was a Major in...

I knew Don as a extension farm adviser. He was always enthusiastic and great fun to be with. PS he knew his viticulture! RIP Alan Roach

My life has taken me away from Bakersfield but I have a so many memorial memories of wonderful people I met along the way in my 35 years in Bakersfield and Don was one of those people. I met him when I first became a grape grower in the lower valley. I always enjoyed his visits to my farm and our conversations together regarding his work knowledge and travels over lunch. I loved his enthusiasm for work, life, and food. He treated me with respect despite how inexperienced I was. I felt so...

Don and his brother Clarence were my older cousins. We lived less than 1 mile from each other. While my memories of Don are few; I do have a memory of Don that made a big impact on me when I was a young teenager. Firstly, I was asked by Don and Micki to be their firstborn daughter's godmother. I was honored to be her godmother. Secondly, there was a time that I went to his home, to see my Aunt Marie (Don's mother) with curlers and a net over my hair. Don gave me a hug and a...