Ernest Joseph Dosio

Ernest Joseph Dosio, 75, passed away on April 17, 2026, following a tragic hunting accident in Gabon, Central Africa.

Ernie was born on November 20, 1950, and raised in Escalon, California, where he graduated from Escalon High School in 1969. He attended Modesto Junior College before graduating from

University of California, Fresno in 1974 with a degree in Viticulture.

Ernie came from a proud Italian farming family. His great-grandfather, Giovanni Dosio, immigrated to the United States from the coastal region of Pedimont, Northern Italy, in 1917.

The Dosio family owned and operated a winery. Ernie was raised with a strong Catholic faith, serving as an altar boy until the age of 16. Also, Ernie was from Portuguese descent on his mother’s side.

Following graduation, Ernie moved to Lodi in late 1974 and began his farming career at Pacific AgriLands, a farm management company, alongside his father, John Dosio. In 1985, Ernie and

his father purchased Pacific AgriLands together and farmed side by side until his father’s passing in 2005. Ernie continued successfully operating the company, specializing in custom harvesting

and farm management services, while also farming almonds and olives. After his son, Jeff Dosio, graduated from Fresno State in 1999, he joined the family business and contributed to the

success of the company.

Ernie was deeply involved in both agriculture and his community. He was a member of the Sacramento Safari Club, Elks Club, Moose Lodge, Odd Fellows, Bersaglieri Italian Club, the California Waterfowl Association, and Ducks Unlimited. He formerly served on the Lodi Winegrape Commission Board of Directors.

An avid outdoorsman his entire life, Ernie especially loved waterfowl hunting. He belonged to duck clubs locally, also in Los Banos, and on Sauvie Island in Oregon. Ernie loved his Brittany

Spaniels and his Chocolate Labrador Retrievers. In 2007, while bird hunting in South Africa, he was introduced to big-game hunting by his friend, Don Giottonini. Over the next 19 years, his passion for hunting took him across the world, including hunts in Cameroon, Congo, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Gabon, and Bolivia.

Ernie traveled extensively for business, vacations, fishing, and hunting throughout Australia, Europe, England, Hawaii, Argentina, Spain, Majorca, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Africa, and Egypt. He also enjoyed hunting throughout Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho, South Dakota, and Texas.

Beyond hunting and travel, Ernie enjoyed trap shooting and sporting clay shooting at Birds Landing, mushroom hunting in Dardanelles and Kennedy Meadows, camping with family and friends, salmon fishing at Bodega Bay, spending mornings at the coffee shop with friends playing cribbage, and Sunday breakfast with family and friends.

Ernie hosted a monthly men’s luncheon, continuing a tradition started many years earlier, and generously donated his trophy room for numerous charitable events. He faithfully attended the San Joaquin County Fair livestock auctions each year, supporting local youths involved in 4-H and FFA programs.

Ernie was “down to earth”, “bigger than life”, smart, kind, generous with his time and knowledge, and widely respected throughout the community. His contributions to agriculture, conservation, friendships, and family were immeasurable. He took great pride in his vineyards and orchards, his work ethic, and the relationships he built throughout his life.

Recently, Ernie shared that life was “flying by too fast” and that he hoped to slow down and spend more time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all

who knew and loved him.

Ernie is survived by his life partner, Betty Dobler; his two sons, Jeffrey Dosio (Jolene) and Shane Dosio; five grandchildren, Blake Dosio, Alec Dosio, Jack Dosio (Emily), Gianna Dosio, and Bryce Dosio; two great-granddaughters, Braelyn and Lainey Dosio; his siblings, Charlie Dosio (Donna) and Lorraine McNulty (Pete); his two step grandchildren, Joseph and Kassidy Formati, his former wife, Rinda Dosio; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Ernie was predeceased in death by his parents, John Dosio and Doloris (Silva) Dosio.

Ernie will be deeply missed and never forgotten by all who knew him and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of choice.

A Rosary will be held at 9:15 a.m., followed by Funeral Mass services at 10:00 a.m., at St. Anne’s Catholic Church on May 22, 2026; Graveside services will be for family only after the service. A Celebration of Life will follow at Appellation Wine & Roses at 12:00 p.m.