John J. Areias

1921 - 2016

John J. Areias
April 27, 1921 – Sept. 6, 2016
Resident of Santa Cruz
John J. Areias, who grew up on a family farm his dad purchased with a ten dollar down payment, and pioneered one of the largest and finest dairies in the state of California died last week in Santa Cruz, CA at the age of 95.
He was a dairyman from a small town who subscribed to hard work and believed that a summer of bucking hay was the best cure for laziness. At its peak, Areias Dairy Farms had 4,500 head of cattle, 2,500 milking cows with a 30 thousand pound per cow average and more than 6,000 acres. Innovations in the processing and delivery of milk made by John and his brother Jess helped modernize the industry. They were proud that more than thirty of their employees would later run successful dairies of their own.
He traveled all over the world, and whether he was in the Holy City of Jerusalem or at a watering hole in Laos, he treated everyone exactly the same. His hometown values were deeply imbued. He may have entered by himself, but he never left a room without a friend. In a life filled with great times, one of his favorite memories was serving as a delegate to the 1960 Democratic National Convention that nominated John F. Kennedy.
John was born on April 27, 1921 in Los Banos, a community that shaped him and he was proud to call home, to Jess and Genevieve Areias. He was the fourth of their nine children, and was nicknamed 'Doc' by his family for all the calves he delivered and the cattle he so ably tended.
John was the valedictorian of Volta Grammar School, a one-room country school that in later years he would play an instrumental role in preventing its closure. Always well-liked, John would oftentimes hunt on his way to school and told his children that it didn't hurt his grades that he shared his ducks with the teacher.
When he was senior class president at Los Banos High School, he met a spirited, fun, beautiful sophomore girl named Mary E. Cardoza. They fell in love and were married in 1943. She was a marvelous partner to John, and he suffered greatly when she was lost prematurely to cancer in 1980.
John and Mary are survived by their four children; Marcia Areias (Brian Foss) of Santa Cruz; Lucia Areias of Santa Cruz; former California State Assemblyman John 'Rusty' Areias of Walnut Grove (Julie Sandino-Areias); Kathleen Sparer (Michael Sparer) of San Mateo, and Ezmerelda Ame Gorey. They have five grandchildren: Evan Areias Sparer and Nick Marie Sparer, Bianca Marie Foss, Alexis Marie Areias and Austin Alexander Areias. John is also survived by two sisters and a brother, Irene Mello of Merced, Florence Bon of San Francisco, and Jim Areias of Los Banos.
The Areias family very much wants to acknowledge Lydia Gomes of Los Banos. Ms. Lydia was his loving and caring companion of fifteen years until she too preceded him in death in 1998.
We extend a special thank you to our many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends in the Los Banos community who have been so incredibly kind. We also express our appreciation to Brookdale Senior Living in Scotts Valley, Hospice of Santa Cruz County, and Cindy Grilli, John's extraordinary caregiver.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 15 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1621 Center Avenue, Los Banos at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Bird Ranch, 26901 Fahey Road, Gustine. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz or Father Flanagan's Boys Town.


View the online memorial for John J. Areias