Robert “Bob” Loquaci (92) spent his life farming the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley. Bob was born in Madera, CA to Urbano Loquaci and Eda Pistoresi Loquaci, and began farming grapes with his father as soon as he was old enough to help. He met the love of his life, Dora Karahadian, when they were teenagers, and they were married after Bob returned from his service with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. Bob and Dora were married for 70 years, and have two sons, David and Leslie, who have continued the family's farming legacy.
Bob's commitment to agriculture drove him to advocate on behalf of the farming community. He was a Founding Director and President of the Raisin Bargaining Association., and represented the domestic raisin industry by testifying in Washington D.C., where President Nixon later signed a law making imported raisins meet US Food Safety standards. Bob also traveled to Japan twice to open the market for U.S. raisins and promote raisin sales.
He was a Founding Director of the California Assoc. of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), a Director of the Raisin Administrative Committee, a Charter Member of the NESEI Farmers' League, a Director of Central CA Winegrowers, a Director of the 21-A District Ag Assoc, and an active member of the Western Growers Association, Madera Farm Bureau and Madera Grange.
Bob was equally dedicated to his community, and to helping those around him. He co-founded the Madera Ag Youth Association. (MAYA) to support agricultural endeavors of local youth and was an annual supporter and buyer at the Madera Junior Livestock sale. He was a Charter and Lifetime Member of the Madera Elk's Club, a Director of the Madera County Fair Board, a Trustee of La Vina School Board, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the VFW, a member of several other service clubs and a sponsor of numerous soccer and Little League teams. Bob and Dora loved to play golf with their friends, and Bob served as a President of the Madera Golf and Country Club and helped to design and construct the back 9 holes of the course.
Bob lived his life to the fullest, surrounded by family and friends. He will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Edward Loquaci. He is survived by his loving wife, Dora; sons David Loquaci and his wife, Joan and Leslie Loquaci and his wife, Laddyne; grandchildren K.C. Loquaci Pomering, Richard Loquaci and his wife, Trisha and Robbie Loquaci and his wife, Charlene, and great-grandchildren Rebecca, Samara, Carson and Brody. Bob is also survived by the Loquaci-Giannelli family in Italy, and extended family and friends.
Visitation will be Monday, November 9, 2015 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA
Funeral Service will be held on: Tuesday November 10, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Jay Chapel in Madera, CA
Remembrances may be made to: Madera County Ag Boosters: 3055 Fairmont Ct., Madera CA 93637 or Valley Children's Hospital Foundation: 9300 Valley Children’s Pl., Madera CA 93636
Robert “Bob” Loquaci (92) spent his life farming the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley. Bob was born in Madera, CA to Urbano Loquaci and Eda Pistoresi Loquaci, and began farming grapes with his father as soon as he was old enough to help. He met the love of his life, Dora Karahadian, when they were teenagers, and they were married after Bob returned from his service with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. Bob and Dora were married for 70 years, and have two sons, David and Leslie, who have continued the family's farming legacy.