Antone V. "Tony" Zaninovich

Antone V. Zaninovich, 88, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 in San Luis Obispo, California, surrounded by his wife, five children and family. Tony, a respected Table Grape Grower, lived in Delano, California most of his life. He was born November 21, 1928 in Cutler, California to Vincent and Bonica (Tomicic) Zaninovich. Raised in a loving home with his three siblings, the family moved to the Delano-Earlimart area in 1939 where as a family, they continued to farm table grapes. Tony graduated from Delano High School in 1947. He went on to serve his country during the Korean War at Camp Hanford in Washington State.

After returning to Delano from Camp Hanford, Tony put all his energies into the family business and pursued his long time dream of marrying his childhood sweetheart. He married Katherine M. Zaninovich on May 16, 1954. Both Tony and Katherine knew that they were destined to be together at a very early age, and they were married for over 62 loving years.

As a child of the depression, Tony learned about hard work at an early age. An entrepreneur by the age of 12, he raised rabbits and sold them to neighbors. From that first business endeavor, Tony went on to work tirelessly to help his family grow Vincent B. Zaninovich & Sons into one of the most respected Table Grape Companies in the United States and around the world. Just as he passed on his knowledge and love of grape growing to the generations after him, he did the same with fishing. He loved teaching the best way to make a lure or to cast a line to family, friends, or any stranger on the pier. He was well known on the Port San Luis Harford Pier in Avila Beach and the bank of the Rouge River in Gold Beach, Oregon; where "MR.Z." always pulled in the most fish. His gift of fresh caught salmon will be missed by many.

Tony is survived by his wife Katherine; and children Georgene Zaninovich, Vincent Zaninovich (Belma), Victoria Sluga (Keith), Katherine Martin (Frank), and Annette Blohm (Paris); grandchildren Samuel Zaninovich, Jonathan, Amanda and Anthony Martin, and Vincent Zaninovich Jr.: great grandson Isaac Zaninovich; his beloved brother Andrew Zaninovich; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, brother John Zaninovich and sister Mary Bruszewski.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 13th at 10:30 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Church at 800 Bello St., Pismo Beach, California. Visitation on Wednesday, December 14th from 4:00-6:00PM at Delano Mortuary. He will be interred on Thursday December 15, 2016 at 11 AM at the North Kern Delano Cemetery at 627 Austin St., Delano, California. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate to the charity of your choice .

Arrangements under the direction of Delano Mortuary, Delano, CA.