[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E142-E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. DINO ANTONIO PETRUCCI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of 
Mr. Dino Antonio Petrucci of Madera, California who recently passed 
away on January 4, 2016, at the age of 85. Mr. Petrucci was a 
remarkable farmer, teacher, and business owner of Petrucci's catering. 
His commitment to family and to his community will forever live in 
lives of the people he touched.
  Dino Antonio Petrucci was born to Italian immigrant parents, Vincenzo 
and Ilide Petrucci, on January 17, 1930. His parents were members of 
the large Italian community who helped settle and pioneer Madera, 
California with its rich agricultural history. A lifelong resident, he 
attended Madera schools and enrolled at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where 
he received his bachelor's degree in crop production. In 1951, he 
married the love of his life, Peggy Hayes, and they would have 
celebrated 65 years of marriage this March.
  As an Agriculture Education instructor, he found joy in teaching and 
in expanding students' minds by showing them what they were capable of. 
All in all, Dino spent 40 plus years of his life devoted to Vocational 
Agriculture and Education. Although he was a fulltime teacher, Dino 
would spend evenings, and weekends helping his brother Enzo on the 
family grape farm.
  Dino was also passionate about cooking and in 1974, he initiated his 
catering business, Petrucci's Catering. He expanded and bought the 
Howard School building and used it to host events. Saturday's were his 
favorite, because he loved being at the old school house serving 
barbecue tri tip, chicken and side dishes. His favorite place to be was 
at the end of the buffet line greeting everyone, and making sure their 
plates were full. Dino's love for food was so strong he developed his 
own barbecue sauce, ``Petrucci's Secret Sauce'' and a dry meat rub that 
are sold locally.
  Civil service and giving back to his community were two other areas 
of interest to Dino. He was active in The Young Farmers, Lions Club and 
Italo-American Club of Madera. He served on the boards of the Madera 
County Farm Bureau, Madera County Food Bank, and Madera Unified School 
District Board of Education. In 1999, he was honored as the Madera 
County Senior Farmer of the Year by the Madera Chamber of Commerce.
  Without question, Dino's integrity, honor, and long-lasting 
involvement in the Central Valley made him a reputable man; he was well 
known, well-liked, and shown enormous appreciation by anyone who had 
the pleasure of calling him a friend. Dino lived his life to the 
fullest surrounded by family and friends. He leaves behind his loving 
family, including his wife, Peggy, his two children, and grandchildren. 
It is my honor to join his family in celebrating the life of this 
amazing man, who will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring the life of Mr. Dino Antonio Petrucci. We are all 
better for having known Dino Petrucci, a remarkable Californian, and 
Central Valley Native.

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