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Michael Mike Yrigoyen
September 29, 1917 - May 4, 2010
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Long time Tracy resident and retired farmer Michael “Mike” Yrigoyen passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 4, 2010.

Mike was born on September 29, 1917 in Elko, Nevada, to Frank and Isadora Yrigoyen.  He moved with his family to the Tracy area of Banta in 1926 where he attended Banta Elementary School.  Mike, one of 4 orphaned children, began working for local farmers; Orie Hedge, Karl Jensen, August Pellegri and George Lake at an early age.

Mike and his brothers, Enos and Frank, formed a partnership, Yrigoyen Bros., in which they grew asparagus under the label “Twin Bridges,” and had a packing shed on the Yrigoyen Ranch.  Mike stayed back at home to take care of Yrigoyen Ranch while his brothers were in the service during World War II.

In his early twenties he and Albert Ender formed a partnership, Ender and Yrigoyen, which lasted over 40 years.  Mike served 8 years as a Trustee on the Banta Elementary School Board.  He was named Honorary Future Farmer of America.  He was a member of Tracy Elks, Italian Catholic Federation, St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Tracy Twirlers, Westside Pioneers, and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Manteca.

In 1954 Mike married the love of his life, Dorothy Craveiro of Castro Valley.  Over the years Mike and Dorothy enjoyed dancing and playing cards, especially pinochle, with friends and family members.

Mike liked dancing, fishing, playing card games and watching and supporting his children and grandchildren while they were playing in a variety of sports.  His family was a very important part of his life.  He was always looking for a good game of volleyball with the “kids.”
A special thank you goes out to Astoria Gardens in Tracy for all the love, care, and support given by the wonderful caregivers to Mike during these past few years.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Enos and Frank Yrigoyen and sister Helen Hayhurst.  His is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Yrigoyen; son David (Barbara) Yrigoyen of Manteca; daughters Valerie (Lon) Mayer of Stockton and Janice (Keith) Robertson of Tracy; grandchildren Allison (Jason) Sandal of Idaho, Jeffrey Yrigoyen of San Diego, Garrett Yrigoyen of Nevada, Justin (Crystal) Mayer and Michael Mayer of Stockton, Kyle Robertson of Tracy and Michelle Robertson of Ripon; sister-in-law Miriam Yrigoyen of Tracy, and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 163 W. Eaton Avenue in Tracy on Monday May 10, 2010.  Burial will be private.

Arrangements were handled by Park View Cemetery & Funeral Home, 3661 E. French Camp Road in Manteca.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to Optimal Hospice Care of San Joaquin, 122 W. Granger Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350; or the Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California, 2717 Cottage Way, Ste. 3, Sacramento, CA 95825, or a charity of one’s choice.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, May 7, 2010