Donald Charles Mirassou

He was the son of the late John A. and Eulalie Mirassou and was born in the old O’Connor Hospital in San Jose. He graduated from McKinley Grammar School, Roosevelt Junior High School and San Jose High School. He also completed agricultural studies in San Jose after high school.

In 1947, he married Joyce Quamme, his wife of almost 66 years. They had three children: Marlene Mirassou, M.D. (Steve Houlihan), Cheryl Battiato (Joseph Battiato) and John Mirassou. He had two grandchildren: Jean Battiato (Chad Peterman) and Michael Battiato (Coreen Saito Battiato) and a step-grandson, Scott Houlihan.

The great grandson of Pierre Pellier who brought the first prune cuttings (from France) to California (Santa Clara Valley), he followed in the family agricultural tradition and had prune and pear orchards in San Jose and Morgan Hill.

Don was a past director of the Sunsweet Growers Association. He was a member of Mount Hamilton Grange for over 50 years.

Besides farming and his family, Don’s passions were deer hunting, drag racing and antique cars. He was past president of Valle del Sur Antique Auto Club and past president of Salinas Horseless Carriage Club. He was also a member of the Santa Clara Model T Club and the Salinas Model T Club.

Visitation is from 5pm to 9pm on Monday, Aug. 19 at Johnson Funeral Home, 17720 Monterey Highway, Morgan Hill. A vigil service will be held at 7pm.

A Requiem Mass will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 10am at Saint Catherine Church, 17400 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, 95037. Interment will follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. Donations may be made in Don’s memory to “Reach Out,” St. Catherine Church, Morgan Hill.