Edward Camillo Belletto, 91, of Oakdale passed away peacefully at his home on July 26, 2016. Ed was born the youngest child of Italian immigrants, Raymond and Margherita Belletto, on the family farm where he lived his entire life. He was a 1943 graduate of Oakdale High School. After graduation he served in the U.S. Navy stationed at Treasure Island and participated in the Okinawa Campaign. On May 7, 1949, he married ‘the love of his life’, Patricia Irwin. They were happily married for 67 years until her passing on May 9, 2016. They lived in the same house on the family farm all those years. Ed was a lifelong farmer for over 70 years; he raised various crops including spinach, beans, peaches, walnuts, grapes, and almonds. Farming was truly his passion. He was a loving and caring husband, dad, and grandpa. Family was everything to him. He enjoyed family gatherings, whether in his own backyard or the ancestral home in Giaglione, Italy. Ed and Pat travelled to many states and took many trips to Europe. His strong faith in God and his Catholic religion were a very important part of his life. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Ed is survived by his children, Tim, Anne (Everett) Souza, Donald (Charlotte), John (Elisa), seven grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat, his parents and his sisters Vera Banducci and Rita Santos. Visitation was at Oakdale Memorial Chapel on Monday, August 1 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Rosary followed at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, August 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale. Interment followed at Oakdale Citizen’s Cemetery.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Aug. 3, 2016