ROBERT "Bob" LOQUACI

Robert "Bob" Loquaci spent his life farming the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley. Bob was born in Madera, CA, to Urbano Loquaci and Eda Pistoresi Loquaci, and began farming grapes with his father as soon as he was old enough to help. He met the love of his life, Dora Karahadian, when they were teenagers, and they were married after Bob returned from his service with the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II. Bob and Dora were married for 70 years, and have two sons, David and Leslie, who have continued the family's farming legacy. Bob's commitment to agriculture drove him to advocate on behalf of the farming community. He was a Founding Director and President of the Raisin Bargaining Association, and represented the domestic raisin industry by testifying in Washington D.C., where President Nixon later signed a law making imported raisins meet United States Food Safety standards. Bob also traveled to Japan twice to open the market for United States raisins and promote raisin sales. He was a Founding Director of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), a Director of the Raisin Administrative Committee, a Charter Member of the NESEI Farmers' League, a Director of Central CA Winegrowers, a Director of the 21-A District Ag Association, and an active member of the Western Growers Association, Madera Farm Bureau and Madera Grange. Bob was equally dedicated to his community, and to helping those around him. He co-founded the Madera Ag Youth Association (MAYA) to support agricultural endeavors of local youth and was an annual supporter and buyer at the Madera Junior Livestock sale. He was a Charter and Lifetime Member of the Madera Elk's Club, a Director of the Madera County Fair Board, a Trustee of La Vina School Board, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the VFW, a member of several other service clubs and a sponsor of numerous soccer and Little League teams. Bob and Dora loved to play golf with their friends, and Bob served as a President of the Madera Golf and Country Club and helped to design and construct the back nine holes of the course. Bob lived his life to the fullest, surrounded by family and friends. He will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Edward Loquaci. He is survived by his loving wife Dora; sons, David Loquaci and his wife Joan, and Leslie Loquaci and his wife Laddyne; grandchildren, K.C. Loquaci Pomering, Richard Loquaci and his wife Trisha, and Robbie Loquaci and his wife Charlene; and great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Samara, Carson, and Brody. Bob is also survived by the Loquaci- Giannelli family in Italy; and extended family and friends. Visitation will be held at Jay Chapel on Monday, November 9, 2015, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Jay Chapel on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. Remembrances may be made to Madera County Ag Boosters, 3055 Fairmont Ct., Madera, CA 93637; or Valley Children's Hospital Foundation, 9300 Valley Childrens Place, Madera, CA 93636. Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Avenue, Madera, California (559)674-8814