Aldo Juliano Sansoni, 92, passed away on Friday August 23, 2024, at his home in Los Banos, California.
Mr. Sansoni was born on August 30, 1931, in Merced, California, to Italian immigrants Aniceto and Amelia Sansoni, who hailed from Tuscany, Italy. From his parents, he inherited a strong work ethic and a deep passion for agriculture. Aldo graduated from Merced High School, attended St. Mary’s Preparatory College High School and served his country as a graduate of the U.S. Navy Technical Training School. Enlisting in the United States Navy in 1951 during the Korean Conflict, Aldo was stationed in Hawaii and provided leadership as a Petty Officer Third Class assigned to the Bureau of Ships Parts Technician and in this capacity, he worked with classified material and held a U.S. security clearance. Additionally, he served on the USS Ajax which headed to Japan and Indochina (later referred to as Vietnam), in a special assignment as an interpreter between the Italian regiment of the French Foreign Legion and American commander. Bringing credit and distinction to himself, Aldo received a Naval Commendation for developing a special method improvement program in 1953.
Upon his return to civilian life, Aldo married the love of his life Virginia Bisignani on February 20, 1955. Together, along with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Fred Petroni, they continued and expanded the legacy left to them by their Uncle Pasquale Bisignani. Aldo continued to be a pioneer and entrepreneur, further developing a prolific farming career and a life infused with leadership, community and faith. However, Aldo was much more than just a farmer. He demonstrated a sincere commitment and enthusiasm for legislative water and soil conservation. He first joined his local soil conservation board in 1957 and lead its
on-farm activities with local growers for over 30 years. In 1975, then Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to serve on the State Soil Conservation Commission, earning recognition that same year as Soil Conservationist of the Year and he was reappointed to the Commission a year later by Governor Jerry Brown who named him Commissioner Chair. Additionally, he was a Member and Chairman for the State Resource Conservation Commission, Director of the San Luis Canal Company for 43 years, President of the San Luis Resource Conservation District, and spent 18 years on the Blue Diamond Grower Executive Board. Most recently retiring in 2023 from the Lower San Joaquin Levee District Board. He was affiliated with more than 15 other agricultural organizations throughout his lifetime and represented them proudly. Aldo took great pleasure in serving his community. He was a strong supporter of Catholic Charities of Merced, being named the Harvest of Hope Honoree in 2022. He spent eight years on the Mercy Hospital Foundation Board which resulted in the construction of Mercy Medical Center.
Aldo was the guiding light and patriarch of his family. He was extremely proud of his Italian heritage and for 17 years, he and Virginia spent one to two months each year renovating the family home in Vellano. In Italy, they built deep, lasting friendships and the people adored them for embracing their way of life.
Throughout his lifetime, Aldo demonstrated perseverance, steadfastness, honesty, and integrity, which garnered him immense respect and sincere admiration from friends, colleagues and employees. He had the utmost respect for his employees who became his family. The men that currently worked for Aldo, are a result of multi-generational families that have been employed with Delta Farms and the family for decades. Up until a few months ago, Aldo was still an active decision maker along with his business partners of the family farming operation, The Pentagon Co. dba Delta Farms.
The famous yellow hay trucks that are connected to Delta Farms were Aldo’s pride and joy. Even during the years of volatile hay prices, fierce competition, and droughts, he beat down the pavement and kept the trucks on the road. At the age of 77 and after the loss of his dear friend and associate, Danny Cotta, Aldo became the sole hay salesman for Delta Farms Trucking Inc. once again until 2018 when he brought on and mentored a young dynamic entrepreneur who now owns Delta Farms Trucking Inc.
Aldo’s love of farming extended to his personal half acre garden that was filled with heirloom tomatoes, Italian zucchini, basil, and parsley. Family and friends benefited from the produce of that garden and the fruit trees surrounding it every summer. Another passion was his love of woodworking. There was not anything that he couldn’t’t fix, make from scratch or a project that he wouldn’t’t tackle. Whether that was a decorative piece of furniture, antique farm equipment, vintage trucks, or restoring his 1930’s Radio Flyer wagon for his great granddaughter. With every wood project completed, he would proudly brand it with his AJS brand.
A supreme acknowledgment to his business partner Pat Gallichio, for his devotion,
loyalty, and commitment for the past 50 years in assisting Aldo and his daughter Lisa Sansoni Menezes to continue the legacy of the ranch for the Sansoni family. Heartfelt appreciation to Kim Martinez, the Delta Farms office manager, and her children, who since joining the Delta team six years ago have become part of the family and shown great care, thoughtfulness, and love. Aldo required 24-hour care since this past March. Our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful care team of ladies especially Ivonne Flores, Erica Cueva, and Veronica Torres. Their outstanding care, compassion and friendship offered his family peace of mind in keeping their promise to allow Aldo to live out his life at home on the Delta.
Aldo is preceded in death by his parents, Aniceto and Amelia Sansoni; his loving wife, Virginia; brother, Henry Sansoni and nephews, Keneth & Steven Sansoni. He is survived by his brother, Ezio Sansoni (Eleanor); his three daughters, Claudia Sansoni Ferretti, Lisa Sansoni Menezes (Patrick) and Sandra Sansoni (Bruce Ekmanian); grandchildren, Nina and Michael Ferretti, Nisa Dufur (Matthew) and his great-granddaughter Madison as well as many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
In receiving the outpouring love and support during his family’s time of loss, there have been heartfelt messages that captured the essence of who Aldo was. “His accomplishments changed agriculture; he was such a pioneer. Aldo has a legacy that many could wish for. His love for his family and his devotion to agriculture has set the bar for many to reach. He was a jack of all trades and master of many. He was a living history book, and he lived what he loved.” Please remember Aldo’s lifelong motto… “Conserve the land for it will feed you forever.”
Services were conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel, Gustine.
