Mr. Peter Joseph Cornaggia Jr.

surrounded by his family on June 27, 2016.

He was a lifelong resident of Chowchilla where he was born and raised on a ranch in the Dairyland area.

Pete was a third generation farmer of Cornaggia farms. He attended Central School and graduated from Chowchilla High in 1956. During high school and after after high school, for several years, he was a mechanic for Frank Hijos. Later he started his own business, Pete’s Manufacturing and Repair as a sideline to farming.

He began his volunteer work 51 years ago assisting with the Dairyland Band Barbecue Chicken Dinner, a job he eventually took over. He was well known for his culinary skills and cooked for multiple community fundraisers throughout the years.

He had a passion for old cars, old tractors and farm related equipment, as well as toys such as pedal tractors, metal Tonka toys and bicycles. He was the current president of Branch 18 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association and showed many of his restored engines and tractors at area fairs.

Pete had a gentle spirit, was a hard worker, was always willing to help others and was devoted to his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Dorothy Cornaggia and his sisters,

Christine Attebery and Catherine Lockerby.

Pete is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rita Cornaggia, two sons,Peter Joseph Cornaggia III and his wife, Dana, son, Gary Cornaggia and his wife Julie, daughter, Stacey Cornaggia all of Chowchilla, four grandchildren, Cristen, Kyle, Morgan and Riley. He is also survived by one brother, James W. Cornaggia and his wife Jude of Dayton, Washington, along with

numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at St. Columbia Catholic Church on July 6, at 10 a.m. Interment will

follow at the Chowchilla Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers a fund will be set up at Tri Counties Bank to be used for youth ag-mechanics in the hope that agriculture history will not be forgotten.