Passed Away On: 2017-11-06 00:00:00
Hugo Tottino was born in the family home on Molera Road near Castroville on September 28, 1926. He spent the next 91 years in the area in which he called home. He attended Castroville Elementary School as a child and went on to Salinas High where he graduated in 1944. Although he excelled in sports, Hugo gave up a football scholarship to St. Mary’s to enlist in the Navy, as he felt it was his duty to help defend this wonderful country during World War II.
Hugo met the love of his life, Dolores Bei, from Santa Cruz in 1949. They were married on May 27, 1951, and made their home in Castroville. Hugo and Dolores raised five children in their beloved hometown; Michele (David), Les (Cathy), Karen, Cathy (Tony) and David. They are also very proud grandparents of nine; Amy (David), Brian (Amanda), Katie, Jeff, Kevin (Vanessa), Sarah, Lisa, Glen and Mary and great-grandparents to Lyla, Brady, Anabelle, Cameron, and Lio. Hugo is preceded in death by his father Alfred, mother Emilia and brother Neo.
Hugo joined California Artichoke and Vegetable Growers Corporation, now known as Ocean Mist Farms, in 1947. His strong work ethic and unconditional love for the farming industry never wavered through depression, wars, floods, freezes, and industry evolution. Hugo was a great steward of the land and a compassionate business owner and employer. He was extremely proud of his hometown of Castroville and was a champion of its residents. Castroville has been good to the Tottino family, and Hugo was extremely proud to call it home.
The family greatly appreciates the loving, kind care given by Amor Dodds, Eunice Mata, Juanita Meza, Paola Abejero and Heartland Hospice. Hugo was very well cared for and extremely loved.
In your kindness, if you would like to remember Hugo, donations can be made to the Hugo and Dolores Tottino Family Scholarship Fund for North County High School c/o Community Foundation for Monterey County 2354 Garden Road Monterey, CA 93940 www.cfmco.org/Tottino or Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church 11140 Preston Street Castroville, CA 95012.
Visitation will be held 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2017 at Struve and Laporte Chapel, 41 W. San Luis Street, Salinas, CA. 93901.
Rosary will be held 5:00p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2017 at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 11140 Preston Street, Castroville, CA. 95012.
Funeral Mass will be held 11:00a.m. Friday, November 17, 2017 at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 11140 Preston Street, Castroville, CA. 95012.
Over flow seating will be in the North County Recreation Community Center, 11261 Crane Street, Castroville, CA. 95012
Burial to follow at Castroville District Cemetery, 8442 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA. 95039.