Anthony Jacinto

Anthony (Tony) Jacinto Jr. born to Antonio Jacinto and Mary Rezendes Jacinto January 16, 1927 in Redlands, reached his Heavenly home June 3, 2025 at the age of 98 years. Anthony's childhood on the Carmelite Fathers ranch included sharing a room with his brother Alfred, walking to Kingsbury School and Redlands Junior High, raking and sweeping the long driveway, washing cars, and hunting gophers (10 cents a tail collected in a Prince Albert can) and using his earnings for going to the movies. He had a beautiful German Shepherd dog and liked riding his bike. He enjoyed playing football with his brother, cousins and the neighbor boys and used skate wheels and wood from crates to make a homemade scooter. The family moved to their Cypress Avenue house about 1942 and bought their first TV. Favorites were watching westerns and listening to radio shows Amos and Andy, Fibber McGee and Molly, and The Lone Ranger. He drove his father's Ford car to Redlands High School, played tennis and football, violin in the orchestra, and enjoyed all subjects, excelling in math and bookkeeping. He was Commissioner of Finance during his senior year. He carried a membership card (fifteen names listed) for the Royal Order of JEEPS. Theywore jackets with "Jeep" on the back, which he said many girls admired. Stealing watermelons from Yucaipa and bringing them to their teachers and coach may have been involved hmmm. Anthony joined the Navy January 15, 1945 during his senior year. He served on the carrier USS Breton stationed in San Diego, taking him to ports in Guam, Midway, Hawaii, Washington, and San Francisco. He hitchhiked home from San Diego to attend his graduation and returned to his ship by early morning. His favorite part of being on the ship was having all departments report to him, reporting to the captain, doing his paperwork, taking notes for construction and repair skills preparing him for his future career. After discharge August 3, 1946 Anthony studied at Skadron Business College in San Bernardino and was hired as a bookkeeper by Brooke Sawyer Insurance in Redlands. Married in 1948, and a father in 1949, he became a partner in 1958 followed by a new partnership in 1960 working for Sawyer, Cook and Company. He served hisclients well for 54 years as an independent insurance agent ' retiring' to consult and photograph for the company for several more years. He was a member of the Independent Insurance Agents Association, serving in board positions and as president. He wrote an insurance advice and information column "Tony Jacinto Says" for the local paper. Dad had his forever house built using the GI Bill in 1954. The house received additions and remodels as the family grew. He also tended a five-acre orange grove on San Bernardino Ave and remained active in the community. Anthony joined the Lions Club serving as president 1962-63 and was named Lion of the Year in 1980. He was a 60-year member of Elks Lodge and a member of the Portuguese American Club since the late 1940s. His favorite times were when each of his daughters served as queen of the annual Pentecost Festa. He was looking forward to seeing his great-granddaughter filling that role this year, but instead he was there in spirit. In 1974 Dad became a director of the Bank of Redlands, organizing the new bank and instrumental in its operation until it was sold in 1989. Those years were a highlight serving the community. Over the years, he enjoyed golfing with his buddies into his early 90s, making a hole in one at age 93. He tended his garden of tomatoes, fava beans, fruit trees and roses, and did his own yard work until a few years ago. He liked to play poker with family at the beach and with his poker buddies ending each night with a piece of pie. He and Darlene made beautiful stained-glass art for their home and for gifts. They made treasured memories traveling the world together and with cousins to Europe, Asia and North American destinations. Dad took his young family on a road trip cross-country to New England states, camped in California, and enjoyed trips to dozens of states including Alaska where he ate halibut every night. Dad was a proud member of the Pacific Rim Wine Club happily labeling and pouring for years at the annual competition at the Orange Show Fair Grounds. He liked meeting with his Tea Club group, and more recently with his friends for breakfast on Thursdays and for coffee on Fridays always with good conversation. Such loyal and devoted friends made his later years memorable and stimulating. In 2000, Dad was honored as a Senior of Distinction by Plymouth Village and the County of San Bernardino for his work with the Redlands Fire Rating Bureau and fundraising efforts for the city's police dog in addition to his other service club affiliations. While giving back to his community, Dad always remembered his roots, took his family to visit aunts, uncles and cousins regularly, placed cemetery flowers for loved ones on holidays and birthdays, and kept in touch with his friends and family throughout the years. He used a list of birthdays and anniversaries and lovingly sent his greetings. He enjoyed in-person visits and phone calls from family and friends, learned to text and save photos on his cell phone, and enjoyed skyping with family on his computer. He cherished family time whether for special occasions or just being together. In passing along his heritage to the next generations, he led by example, hard work, providing for his family, being knowledgeable and always learning which were important traits to him. We are most grateful for him and his love. He was predeceased by spouses Eleanor, Wanda and his wife of 39 years Darlene, his parents, brother and sister Adeline. His survivors include daughters and sons-in-law Janice and Roy McKee, Gail and Dennis Kramer, Nancy and Jim Hamlin, stepson and fiancé Wayne Gunther and Martha Estrada, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and numerous cousins. He has been a devoted cheerleader for all of them, attending their activities and supporting their schooling. His best advice and hopes for all were: "study hard, have great jobs, and be together as family." In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Redlands Family Service Association. Celebration of Life: Tuesday, June 24 at Cortner Chapel, Redlands CA Visitation 10:00 AM Service 11:00 AM Graveside service 1:00 PM at Hillside Cemetery, Redlands Reception following at PA Club, 1133 Crafton Ave. Mentone CA To send flowers to the family of Anthony, please visit our floral store.