Wesley "Wes" John Breschini

August 29, 1931 – August 28, 2021

Wesley Breschini pitched his final inning in his final ballgame on August 28, 2021, missing his 90th birthday by only 3½ hours. Wes was born in Salinas California on August 29, 1931, to his Swiss parents, Oliva and Bernardino Breschini of Gonzales, California and was the sixth of eight children.

As part of such a large family, it was tough to stand out, but it soon became apparent to his parents and his many aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and cousins, that he was a superb athlete. Days on end were spent playing sports – baseball, football, basketball, and whatever he and his friends could rustle up in Gonzales and the surrounding countryside. Upon entering Gonzales High School, “Cooper” as he was nicknamed, was actively sought after by many coaches and he decided to play in all the major sports – Football as Quarterback, Basketball as a Forward, and his real love, Baseball as a Pitcher. During his senior year, he was considered as one of the best Baseball prospects in Central California. At “all” of his games his mother, Grandma ‘Chini could be found in the stands loudly cheering him on; that Wesley could do no wrong in her eyes! In 2006 for his athletic achievements, Wesley was inducted into the inaugural class of the Gonzales High School Sports Hall of Fame!

After High School, he initially pitched in the Salinas Valley Mission League, during which time he was being sought after by several Major League Baseball Clubs. Eventually in 1950 he was signed by and joined the Detroit Tigers and reported to Thomasville, Georgia to play for the Thomasville Tigers Minor League Ball Club in the Florida-Georgia League. As his mother, Grandma ‘Chini, would always say, “Wesley is a star!” During his one year, Wes pitched a no-hitter, earned a batting average of .219, and was named to the All-Star Team.

But for Wes, military duty beckoned, and he joined the US Navy, and was posted to the San Diego Naval Base, where when an Admiral learned of his baseball skills, assigned Wes to the Sonar School where he played baseball for 2½ years. He was eventually reassigned to the Gearing-Class Naval Destroyer, the USS James E Kyes, DD-787, where he served on her for one year. Upon his return, on a stop-over at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, again, an Admiral learned of Wes’ baseball skills, and he was taken-off the Destroyer and he played baseball for the sub-base for one year. He fondly talked of his year in Honolulu, wearing civilian clothes, taking care of the ball park, sunbathing and swimming on Waikiki Beach, and playing baseball. This is time when he acquired his love for Hawaii and the Islands!

He returned to the Salinas Valley in California and on November 7, 1954, he married the blue eyed and black-haired beauty, Jane Pasque. He joined his father-in-law, Emilio Pasque, in a partnership on a dairy north of Greenfield for 21 years, 1954–1975. During these years, Wes developed his own nationally-recognized herd of Holstein dairy cattle under his “Wes Acres” registration. One of his registered cows graded-out at the “Perfect” rating of 90, while many of his herd graded-out at the “Very Good” rating of 85-89, which was a great achievement!

While on the dairy, Wes and Jane had three children – Randy Breschini (Monicah) now living in Thailand, Lisa Escher now living in Colorado, and Doug Breschini (Sabrina) now living in Carmel Valley. For the children, living in the shadow of a terrific competitor and an athletic legend was not always easy, but they learned that Wes always was the mentor, he was the “life of every party”, and he was always loved by all. Everyone just loved Big Wes…He was always fun!

Continuing on with the Breschini “Big Family” tradition, are seven (7) grandchildren – from California are Tracy Breschini, Elise Breschini, and Mia Breschini; from Colorado are Sophia Hayden, Alana Escher, and Blaine Escher; and from Oklahoma is Zane (Madison) Breschini – two (2) step-grandchildren – from Kingsburg is Shane (Shae) Desmond and from Thailand is Angel Mugure – five (5) great grandchildren – from Colorado are Kalli Haining, Ava Hayden, Christopher Hayden, Saylor Hayden, and Kaylee Duran – and one (1) step great grandchild from Kingsburg is Reed Desmond.

When Wes could get away from the 24/7/365 life on the dairy, he enjoyed fishing the Arroyo Seco River and hunting deer, wild pigs, quail, band-tailed pigeons, pheasants, ducks, and doves. He especially enjoyed visiting his friends and relatives on his annual deer hunting trek to Elko Nevada. He also enjoyed his summers in the family’s cabin in Arroyo Seco, departing every day to work on the dairy at 5:30 am in the morning and returning to the cabin at 6:00 pm every evening to join his children to swim in and to fish on the river. He was a Little League Baseball Coach for several years achieving one year winning the Valley championships. He also was a 4-H Dairy Cattle leader for several years, teaching and coaching his children in the care and showing of registered Holstein dairy cattle. And notably, Wesley, bowling in several Salinas Valley leagues, was a 190-average bowler for many years.

Wes belonged to the California Cooperative Creamery, the Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club where his father Bernardino was a founding member and Wesley is a lifetime member, the Elks Club, and the Silver Kings and Queens. He was also a member of the Salinas Valley Fair Board of Directors for 16 years.

In 1975 Wesley and Jane moved to their dream custom built-home in Pine Canyon outside of King City, where they lived until 2013. Wes worked for the Monterey County until he retired in 1996. Upon retirement, he took up golf and became a 3x per week golfer at the King City Community Golf Course, where he joined the King City Men’s Golf Club, and became a regular card player after each round of golf – His competitiveness never ceased! He spoke fondly of his many golf and card-playing friends at the Golf course. When he wasn’t playing golf, Wes enjoyed watching “every” possible sport on his Big Screen TV. During these times, Wes and Jane traveled to the annual “James E Kyes” reunions held around the country, attended the annual NFR in Las Vegas Nevada, and especially enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, where Wes’ love for the islands came to life! Wes loved everything about Hawaii – the beautiful white sand beaches, the blue surf, the Chi Chi cocktails, the food, the wonderful weather, the beautiful golf courses, Ala Moana Mall, and lovely Waikiki!

In 2013 Wes and Jane decided to sell their Pine Canyon home and moved to Fresno California, where they enjoyed the warm weather, family, the urban life, Table Mountain and Chukchansi Casino Resorts, and all the wonderful restaurants that Fresno has to offer.

Wesley and Jane, married on November 7th 1954, were together for more than 66 years.

A Rosary and Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 21st at 10:00 am at Saint Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church located at 5770 North Maroa Avenue in Fresno, (559) 439-0124.

A Committal Service will be held on Wednesday, September 22nd at 1:00 pm at Queen of Heaven Cemetery located at 18200 Damian Way in Salinas, (831) 449-5890.

Serving as pallbearers are Les Breschini, Zane Breschini, Gary Pisoni, Sergio Botta, Pat Donahue, Shane Desmond, Doug Breschini and Sergio Botta.

Donations can be made in Wesley’s memory to the CCSPCA Adoption Center, 103 South Hughes Avenue, Fresno, California, 93706 or in his name to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Breschini family.