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After graduating from Marin Catholic, I attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for two years- graduated with a technical degree in Dairy Science. During that time my brother and I purchased our parent's dairy business and moved the cows from Lucas Valley to Santa Rosa- January 1963. A year later, I married my high school sweetheart, Mimi Baccaglio who attended Novato High School. We had known each other since we were 10 years old, first meeting as members of Novato Aggie 4-H Club.
In October, 1966 Mimi and I decided to leave the partnership with my brother, and start our own dairy business. We rented a dairy facility in Santa Rosa for 5 years, and then moved to the Atwater-Merced area in October, 1971. We have been at that location ever since-3105 N. Tridade Rd., Atwater, CA 95301. We retired 3 years ago from the dairy business, still live on the dairy, and rent out the facility to another dairyman. Not only did we produce milk for 45 years, but were very involved in breeding registered Holsteins, showing them, and promoting our breeding stock through out North America and several foreign countries. I was a recognized dairy cattle judge and judged shows throughout the U.S. and some foreign countries. It was fun traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada visiting other registered Holstein breeders- they would recognize our name and always welcome us in- great fun and good memories! Our one "claim to fame" was a bull name Marcrest Encore- we bred and developed him, and in the 1990's his outstanding daughters distinguished him as one of the best bulls in the Holstein breed. He had daughters all over the world, and his genetics still influence the breed today. It was an exciting time when he was so popular, and justified all the effort and years we had put into breeding registered cattle!
Along the way we had six children- five boys and one girl. They are quite an interesting bunch- and oh my the stories will can tell about raising those crazy kids!! But all turned out well and they are all successful in their chosen fields- our oldest son dairies in Wisconsin, one works in the tomato processing industry, 2 in computer industry and one has a trucking business and farms. Our daughter is a high school science teacher. We have 14 grand children- 4 boys and 10 girls ranging in age from 22 years to 20 months.
My passion for the last 15 plus years has been senior softball- I play in 3 leagues during the week and travel with a tournament team on most weekends. I have played at the World Senior Games in Utah for the last 16 years and thoroughly enjoy the sport!
Mimi and I are active in our church-St. Anthony's and while the kids were young we were active at St. Anthony School. We were 4-H leaders for years, and very involved with the youth in the CA Holstein Assn. I do some dairy cattle breeding consultant work now, and Mimi works a couple days a week in a dress boutique and one day a week as a weighmaster at our local cattle auction yard. We do a little traveling-but otherwise just trying to stay healthy! Looking forward to the class reunion.
