Henry Massaro (94) went home to our Lord at the age of 94 on February 20, 2021. He was a hardworking man with a quiet, strong spirit. The family he made with Dorothy, his wife of 65 years, meant the world to him; and was the foundation in which he grounded his life. He loved hosting family dinners and gatherings, especially those that featured his homemade gnocchi and where he could frequently be heard yelling out “Mangia!”
Henry was born to Clara Natalina Griollone Massaro (Azzano d’Asti, Italy) and Giuseppe (Joe) Massaro (Montaldo Scarampi, Italy) in Chowchilla, CA in 1926 where he grew up. Following his graduation from Chowchilla High School, he worked on the family farm until 1950 when he left to serve in the United States Army and Reserves until 1952. Upon his return from military service, Henry’s passion for dairy life grew, as well as his herd of registered Holsteins.
Henry met the love of his life on a trip with friends to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: which is where Dorothy DiSalvo caught his eye. The story goes that friends coaxed him to call out her name, which he did, and the rest was history. Henry and Dorothy (Hank and Dot) were married on June 5, 1955. Exactly one year later, to the date, their first child Stephen was born. Four years later they welcomed their daughter Teresa, and four years after that, Linda.
Through determination and a lot of hard work, Henry and Dorothy built a new home and dairy facility in Chowchilla. His passion for the registered Holstein business would go on for more than six decades, during which time he developed close relationships with many dairy families that he cherished all his life.
Henry was very involved within all aspects of the dairy industry, local agriculture, and in his community over the years. He was a proud member of the Madera/Fresno DHIA, Madera County Farm Bureau, California Holstein Association and served on the Danish Creamery’s Board of Directors. He was part of a group of dairymen that started the county’s Springer Heifer Show and Sale at the Chowchilla Fair, was a founding member of the Merced Mill Co., served on the Madera County Grand Jury and was awarded Madera County Farmer of the Year in 1996.
Henry always felt that one should give back to those that helped you succeed. In doing so, he was very active within the local FFA & 4-H organizations. He would hold annual field days for youth to come out to his dairy and experience a day on the farm. That involvement developed into a 12-year seat on the Chowchilla High School Board of Trustees. It was at that time that he spearheaded the drive to build a football stadium, which is now dedicated in his name; one of his proudest honors.
Henry had a deep sense of faith that he passed on to his children. He attended St. Columba Catholic Church in Chowchilla and was a member of the St. Columba YMI.
It was once said that Henry was a quiet man, but when he spoke, you should probably listen. He will be remembered as a stable and strong patriarch, a hardworking dairyman, a humble gentleman, a generous and loyal friend, and a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.
Henry is preceded in death by his mother, father, and older brother Johnny Massaro.
He lives through, and is survived by, his wife Dorothy Massaro; brother Peter Massaro and his wife Etta; sister-in-law Edna Massaro; son Stephen Massaro and his wife Kathryn; daughter Teresa Massaro; daughter Linda Prieto and her husband Harold; four grandchildren, Nicole Massaro, David Massaro (Julie Lundy), Claire Prieto, Grace Prieto; and many more family members.
Due to current health restrictions, services will be private.
Memorials may be made to Hinds Hospice, 2490 W. Shaw Avenue, #101, Fresno CA, 93711 or Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation, 9300 Valley Children’s Place M/S PC17
Madera, CA 93636
