Gustine Merced Parents

Richard Robert Caetano

Richard Robert Caetano, 72 of Gustine, our beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday morning. Mr. Caetano was born in Los Banos, CA but was a lifetime resident of Gustine. He was a very considerate and generous man loved by many. He possessed a great love for cars, and spent many hours restoring 32 Fords. Although he worked for Newman Tractor in his early years and then spent 25 years with the United States Post Office, his passion was tractor work and farming. He ran Richard's Custom Tractor Works for 22 years spending many days improving the habitat of the duck clubs in the North Grasslands. After taking early retirement from the Post Office in 1992,

Richard farmed alfalfa, corn, cotton, and oats for nearly 20 years.

For many years, he was in the United States Army Reserves as well as a Volunteer Fireman for Merced County, and Richard was also an active member of many organizations including the Native Sons, American Motorcycle Association, Westside Auto Club, Franklin Syndicate Auto Club, the Early V-8 Club of America, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and Valley Tractor Pulling Association. One activity that Richard was particulary proud of was carrying the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Our Lady of Miracles Festa in Gustine for 52 years straight without ever missing a year. Richard also enjoyed racing, building and showing cars, tractor pulling, farming and visiting with his grandchildren.

Mr. Caetano married Joyce in 1960 and they enjoyed 51 years together. They had two children; son, Robert Caetano (Carol) of Salinas; daughter, Lynette Zeiter (John) of Stockton. His brothers were, John Caetano (Virginia) of Gustine and Ken Caetano

(Christina) of Columbia. He will always be remembered his five grandchildren, John Zeiter, Danielle Zeiter, Paul Zeiter, Sierra Zeiter and Nick Fusco. He made sure to attend every sporting event or school activity that his children and grandchildren were involved in. He also made sure they all rode on a tractor at one time or another. He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel & Mary Caetano; brothers, Billy Caetano, Raymond Caetano and sister Emily Caetano.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Monday, May 30th followed by a Rosary at 7:00 pm at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles in Gustine. A second visitation will be held from 8:30 to 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 31st followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles. Interment to follow at Hills Ferry Cemetery in Newman.

Gustine High Seniors receive honors, scholarships | The West Side ...

GUSTINE – Gustine High School held its annual senior awards program as the school year came to a close, presenting members of the Class of 2011 with a number of scholarships and awards.

Following are the awards presented and scholarship amounts where provided.

Vanessa Aguilera received a West Side Art Association scholarship ($300).

Frank Andrade was presented a Merced County Agribusiness Committee scholarship ($525), Cabrillo Civic Club scholarship, Luso-American Educational Foundation scholarship, OLM Knights of Columbus scholarship ($500) and Marco Candido scholarship.

Brandon Borrelli received a Farmland Working Group scholarship ($100), Luso-American Educational Foundation scholarship, Italian Catholic Federation scholarship ($400), West Side Art Association scholarship ($300) and Jamero Scholarship.

Hunter Burgess received a Gustine Elementary School Parent-Teacher Club scholarship.

Marisa Caballero accepted a Catholic Daughters Court St. Theresa 1158 scholarship ($300).

Brett Chavez received an Italian Catholic Federation Scholarship in memory of Cody Anthenien. ($400).

Lucero Garcia received a Livingston Hills Ferry Masonic Lodge 236 scholarship ($500).

Laken Leonard was presented a Marine Corps Award for athletics.

David Luna was presented a Marine Corps Award for academics and a West Side Art Association Scholarship ($300).

Gloria Mora received a farm employee children’s scholarship ($750).

Allison Nunes received a Cabrillo Civic Club scholarship, Luso-American Education Foundation scholarship, OLM Knights of Columbus scholarship ($500), OLM Parents Club scholarship and Portuguese Fraternal Society of America scholarship.

Taylor Nunes received a Cabrillo Civic Club scholarship, Luso-American Educational Foundation scholarship, OLM Knights of Columbus scholarship ($500) and YLI No. 151 scholarship.

Ashley Oliveira received a Merced County Agribusiness Committee scholarship ($525), Cabrillo Civic Club scholarship, GES Parent-Teacher Club scholarship and OLM Knights of Columbus scholarship ($500).

Jessica Porter received a Marine Corps Award for music and a West Side Art Association Scholarship ($300).

Roman Puppo received a Marine Corps Award for athletics.

Elio Rojas was awarded the Mary Gloria Rico Bettencourt Scholarship.

Justin Souza received a CSEA Chapter 551 scholarship ($250).

Delano, a land of promise

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