Obituaries

Henry Massaro (94)

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.

Richard Dale Overstreet (63)

Richard Dale Overstreet (63) passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021, in Madera, CA. He was born in Corcoran, CA to Richard and Joyce (Fugate) Overstreet on June 3, 1957. Richard worked as a heavy equipment operator for 50 years. He was a Christian.

Richard was preceded in death by his son, Ricky his parents, his father-in-law, Wilbur Sloan, his brother Larry Overstreet and sister-in-law Rhonda Sloan.

Charles P. Doud (79)

Charles P. Doud, 79, owner and publisher of The Madera Tribune, died on Jan. 6, 2021, at Madera Community Hospital following cardiac complications. He was born in Preston, Idaho on Sept. 12, 1941, to his mother, Afton Packard Doud, and father Carlton Horace Doud.

When he was 14 years old, he began working as an apprentice printer, working long hours and learning all aspects of the printing business. These skills helped him excel at the many newspapers, where he worked throughout his life. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism from the prestigious Columbia School of Journalism at the University of Missouri.

Eleanor Jane Newcomb (98)

Eleanor Jane Newcomb (98) of Madera, CA, beloved wife of the late Elvan Newcomb, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2021. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Born in Elk City, OK she was number 13 of 14 children. Eleanor attended elementary and high school in Oklahoma and completed one year at Southwestern State Teachers College in Weatherford, OK.

It was while she was in Oklahoma that she met Elvan. She always recalled that she was sitting on the steps at church when they first saw each other. She worked, as did her brothers and sisters, in the family grocery store until moving in 1941 to California to marry Elvan who had moved there previously. They owned Newcomb Tractor Company in Madera where she was the bookkeeper and “ambassador” to their many customers.

Gloria Massetti (99)

Gloria Massetti (99) passed away on January 15, 2021, at the age of 99. She was born in Madera to Italian immigrants, Nello and Eugenia Barsotti. Gloria attended Madera schools, graduating from MHS in the class of 1940. It was there that she served on the student council and played on the tennis team. On a camping trip to Yosemite with the Camp Fire Girls, she climbed to the top of Half Dome. After graduation, she attended Holy Names College in Oakland where she made lifelong friends.

After college, she returned to Madera and went to work for the Bank of America while waiting for the return of her fiancé, Angelo Massetti, who was in the Navy and serving in the South Pacific. After three years, he returned and they were married in St. Joachim’s Church. Afterward, they welcomed their three children.