Sarefine Anthony "Fino" Luis

1036 - 2010

Sarefine Anthony Luis (Fino) was born at the family home on Jackson Avenue in Lemoore on October 17, 1936 and passed away at his home on October 27, 2010 at the age of 74. He was the seventh of eight children born to Mary C. and Frank P. Luis. He was raised in the country and was ecstatic when his family moved to town in 1953. In his estimation that was where all the action was.

He attended Central Union School, graduated from Lemoore High in 1955 and briefly attended Porterville College. He also was a former member of the California National Guard.

Fino's love of sports followed him from elementary school to high school and beyond. He participated and excelled in football, track and basketball. He loved playing Men's Softball in the Lemoore league and struck fear in the opponents' hearts with his fast pitch. This love of sports was carried over to his children Pat and Susan. He coached their various sports as they were growing up and continued his love of softball by coaching fast pitch JV and Freshman softball at Lemoore High. He also spent about 15 years filming varsity football for Lemoore.

He was a retired journeyman mechanic for Pirelli Tire and also farmed most of his life on the family farm north of Stratford. He was an avid San Francisco Giants and Fresno State Bulldog football fan and loved going to their games. He lived long enough to know his beloved Giants were going to the World Series. He also loved getting away for a few days to the coast.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary Kathryn; his son, Patrick Luis and wife Gabrielle of Fresno; brother, Manuel Luis and wife Doris of Lemoore and sister, Rosie Borges of South Lake Tahoe. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Allyson Sippel and husband Phil of Hanford, Bryanne Luis of Fresno, Ryan Yocum and wife Lindsay of Hanford, Sara Yocum and fiance, Travis Contreras of Lemoore and Evan and Andrew Luis of Visalia. His adored great-grandchildren are Callie Sippel, Ava Yocum and Braeden Contreras with twp new ones on the way. He also is survived by his brother-in-law, Harold Brown of Hanford, brother-in-law, Richard Lancaster and wife Dianna of Lemoore, sister-in-law, Sue Lancaster of Hanford, son-in-law, Tom Yocum of Hanford and numerous nieces and nephews. He also will be missed by his life-long friend Ron Romeiro and wife Janelle and many friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his daughter Susan Yocum; his parents; brothers Frank, Albert, Jess and Alvin; sister, Mary Silva.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lemoore.

Those who wish may contribute in his memory to St. Peter's Catholic Church Building Fund, 19 Follett St., Lemoore, CA 93245, Kings SPCA, 8084 E. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230 or American Cancer Society, 2222 W. Shaw Ave., #201, Fresno, CA 93711.

Arrangements are under the direction of Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel in Lemoore.