Mr. Earl R. Rocca

Earl was born to Bernard and Margaret Rocca in Fresno on August 2, 1927. He graduated from Central Union High School in 1945, served in the Army as a paratrooper, and graduated from Fresno State with a BS in Viticulture. He began farming with his father in 1951, and married the love of his life Sandy in 1958. Earl's passion was farming and he was a pioneer in the mechanical raisin harvesting industry, starting the process some 35 years ago. He was a well respected community leader and served in many areas including Sun-Maid Board of Directors, Teague School Board of Trustees, Fresno-Madera Farm Credit Board, Fresno County Farm Bureau, Italian Catholic Federation, and Fresno State Viticulture Alumni Association.

Earl left a legacy of hard work and innovation. He always had pioneering projects in the works, and could be found pondering new trellis systems or working on his latest experiment right through the last months of his life. He was the person in the boardroom who would actually say what everyone else was thinking!

Earl is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Sandy; sons, Randy, Rusty and Robert; daughters-in-law, Christy, Evelyn, Maria, and Shelley; grandchildren, Nick, Katie, Matthew, Zachary and Natalie; foreman, Joe DeLoa and his family; and numerous extended family and friends who were always loved and welcome in his home.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Peoples Church, G.L. Johnson Chapel.

Remembrances may be sent to Nancy Hinds Hospice or the Fresno State Viticulture Department (checks payable to CSUFresno Foundation), 2360 E Barstow Ave. M/S VR89, Fresno, CA 93740-8003.