Antonio Arther Banevedes

Anton Arthur "Art" Banevedes was born to the late Anton "Tony" and Marian Banevedes (Perreira) on November 11, 1937.

Art's first job was milking cows with his parents when he was in the 3rd grade. Art drove a school bus for Hanford High School during his senior year, and graduated high school in 1956. It was during that time he met the love of his life: Cecelia. Art and Cee were wed on September 28, 1956.

In those early years, Art worked on local dairies: in Tulare at Jensen's and Montero's dairies, at Neilson Hoffman Dairy in Visalia, and finally in Hanford for dairyman Manuel Maciel, who treated he and his young wife like family.

He went to work at Armstrong Tires (which was later bought by Pirelli) in 1963 and worked there for 38 years. When the tire plant closed in 2001, Art was asked to stay on and assist with the closure. He ended his career at Pirelli as the Quality Control Superintendent.

But, retirement wasn't for him. He went straight to work for Hanford High School, driving school bus part-time for 5 years; and, then, full-time for another 10 years.

After he officially retired at 79 years old, Art focused his full attention on home improvement projects such as hand-painting the array of concrete statues in the backyard, and keeping the garden beds perfectly maintained and overflowing with bright flowers to make Cee smile. His collection of over 100 sago palms was legendary.

Art was preceded in death by his parents and four older sisters: Delores Correia, Lillian Caetano, Nadine Maciel, and LaVerne Caetano.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cecelia Irene Ferreira Banevedes, with whom he shared a ceaseless love and a fulfilling life for 68 years; his two children: Arthur Steven "Steve" Banevedes (married to MaryEllen Smith Banevedes); and, Tammy Ann Johnson (married to Richard Johnson); six grandchildren: Sara Pryde, Michelle Speer, Breann Crump, Eric Johnson, Steven Banevedes, and Blaize Banevedes; and, seven great-grandchildren: Tyler Speer, Beau Griffith, Matthew Speer, Adalyn Johnson, Jackson Crump, Barrett Johnson, and Charlotte Crump; as well as countless nieces, nephews, godchildren, and a record number of devoted friends.

In remembrance of Art, please get busy doing something productive, plant some flowers, or do a practical kindness for someone in need.

Art's work here is done.