Being presented to their families, the two Lifetime Achievement Award honorees this year are receiving that recognition posthumously; Norman ‘Norm’ Antinetti and Lloyd Stueve were pillars of the community that Oakdale lost in the last several months.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the honors to be bestowed at the Friday, March 11 Oakdale Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, slated from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale.
Here is information for the lifetime honorees, as provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Lifetime Achievement – Norman Antinetti
Norm grew up in Tuolumne City, CA and graduated from Summerville High School. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. After he left the service, he enrolled at Stockton College (Delta College) and continued his education at Sacramento State University for his Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Teaching Credential and Secondary Administrative Credential. He also received a Life Diploma from The California State Board of Education.
He started teaching at Oakdale High School in 1960 and retired in 2002. During his time at Oakdale High School, he coached many sports (Football, Basketball, Baseball and Tennis). During his 27 years as Varsity Basketball coach, he won four Valley Oak League Basketball championships and four major tournament championships and was named the Valley Oak League Coach of the Year five times. He was chosen as the Head Coach of the South All-Star Basketball Team twice for Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. He was the Activities Director for 32 years and Athletic Director for 11 years. He was involved with California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Section by representing the Valley Oak League for 56 years. In 2001 he became the Commissioner of the Valley Oak League until his passing.
His involvement with the community of Oakdale was initiating the current youth basketball program in the early 1960’s. This involvement led to him being successful in lobbying to build the main gymnasium at Oakdale High School in 1970. He coached youth basketball, baseball and swim team. He created and taught summer basketball camp at Oakdale High School from 1980-2000. He originated and was the Director of the Oakdale Rotary Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament in partnership with the Oakdale Rotary Club. He also invented the interlocking O and M brand that represents Oakdale High School.
He had many honors, awards and achievements throughout his life, and he was so proud of them all. Some of them were being inducted into the Hall of Fame for Sportsmen of Stanislaus, CIF Sac-Joaquin Section, Oakdale High School and Summerville High School. The awards he received were Oakdale Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow, Stanislaus County District Basketball Coach of the Year and many more.
The joy of his life was his family. From the love of his life Pam to his children Amy and David as well as his grandchildren Dominic, Alivia and Carlo.
Lifetime Achievement – Lloyd Stueve
Lloyd was a “Show and Tell” guy who loved people, children, farming, horses and the Lord. In his casual, friendly engaging manner he brought smiles and joy to his town, his church, his friends and the children. Many are the times when he could be seen enjoying taking passengers on his horse drawn wagon at the October Harvest Festivals, Fall Festival at Bloomingcamp Ranch, touring the Live Nativity at Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene, Cloverland Christmas rides, birthday parties, Downtown Cowboy Christmas with Santa, Boy Scouts, Preschoolers at Heritage and Creative Christian Learning Center and many Christmas carolers. At Oakdale Rodeo time he could be seen entering the Rodeo Parade, barbequing for whoever wanted a free burger or hot dog, escorting the Rodeo Queen or the Parade’s Grand Marshal. He provided a wagon so that Astoria Senior residents could share in the festivities of their town at Rodeo time too. Lloyd also took Christmas carolers to Astoria for some Holiday cheer. He had many helpers along the way and was always trying to recruit. He regularly had the help of his sons, grandsons and friends. Lloyd was generous and was a welcoming voice for new Oakdale residents. He also enjoyed hosting field trips of children through his dairy, telling the story of Organic milk and teaching about cows and milk production. He participated in the Oakdale Ag Programs at the Elementary Schools. One year he even brought his mobile egg wagon with feathers flying, chickens scampering all over the playground and children squealing with delight as he told the stories of raising organic chickens and eggs. He was a loyal customer to many of the local shops and was great at networking. He helped many families in need and was willing to teach and give jobs. He was joyfully generous, never going anywhere empty handed and was a very happy man going around town. He is loved and missed by many.
Officials with the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce are putting the finishing touches on the 76th annual Oakdale Awards Banquet. Last year, it was hosted virtually but this year they are returning to an in person gathering. Tickets may be purchased at the door for the dinner, at a cost of $50 per person.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Awards, the evening will feature honors for local businesses, junior achievers, community service organizations and outstanding citizens, as well as recognition for Chamber board member achievements.
