Andrew Donald Brancato

     Andrew Donald Brancato was born in Passaic, New Jersey to Joseph Brancato, 1907 and Lena Butera Brancato, 1910. He moved to California in 1954 from Garfield, New Jersey. Dad, his brother, and father kept getting pneumonia. Every year it got worse and worse so the doctor told them to move to a warm desert climate, and that California would be nice, so they moved to downtown L.A. That lasted a couple of months – too much violence and shootings (even then). From there they moved to 506 Muscatel in San Gabriel, CA.

     Andy came to Bakersfield one summer’s day in 1956 with his best friends, Jim Peron and Arnold Fault. They pulled into Michener’s Drive-In where he met his future wife, Andonietta Ann Angone. She was there with her girlfriend Yvonne Zino Atwood. Andy told his best friend Jim “I just found the girl I am going to marry.”  He asked for her number. Mom did not want to give it to Dad but Yvonne (her best friend) said ‘Oh go ahead Ann. He’s from the big city with a N.Y. accent. You’ll never hear from him again (boy was she ever wrong on that one).

     Dad and Mom were married on June 14, 1958 at Sacred Heart Church (62 years ago) with a reception that followed at Bakersfield Inn on Union Avenue, which was the place to be in the 50’s.. They honeymooned in San Francisco which for mom, a small-town farm,girl,well that was huge. Mom still talks fondly about it to this day. Dad’s first passion was always as a mechanic which became his primary profession all his life.

     Dad was always involved with his three children, coaching baseball, cheering his daughter on in cheering, and supporting his sons’ love of showing livestock at the Kern County Fair. He took us hunting, fishing and camping, and fixed our bikes and cars when we broke them. Yes, some yelling and complaining that this was the last time, until we did it again. There was never really a dull moment with Dad. Poor Dad had three stubborn kids that made for all the excitement, with Mom on the sidelines. They never left us out of any adventure. Our non-Italian friends never understood it, so we laughed about it.

     Dad and Mom moved to Bakersfield from El Monte, CA July 4, 1976 on our country’s bicentennial. In the summer of 1975 (it seems so long ago), there were smog alerts, the air quality was so bad you could cut it with a knife. We were visiting friends when Mom said to Dad that she wanted to move to Phoenix, AZ, that she was tired of living in the L.A. area. She hated Phoenix but Dad liked it. On a Monday while Mom was at work, we got boxes from Vons Grocery Store, which you could do at that time, packed the house up and Dad made a House for Sale sign. Boy, was Mom shocked. The following day we came to Bakersfield and that’s how we ended up here.

     Mom and Dad enjoyed many adventures together, from camping in a tent when they were younger (with three little ones), graduating to an RV motor home which there were three of, traveling all over the west coast. They have made two trips to Europe, Italy and Germany together, Dad falling down a flight of stairs at Jess's house and ending up in the hospital in Schweinfurt, in addition to several trips back to NJ to visit family.

     Dad loved his Model A cars and truck. While members of the club, they have restored three Model A’s, the first one being a two-door coupe he has won awards with. Next came the Model A sedan. He was able to buy Billy Buys’ Model A truck which Billy had promised Dad before he passed. Dad loved that truck. Mom was always at his side, always ready to go to meetings or events no matter how tired she was. It was like a fountain of youth to both of them. Their eyes would always light up like a child’s when it came to the club.

     There are so many stories to tell, so many memories to share with those who were touched by Dad and Mom.

     The family wants to thank those that took the time out of their lives to stop by and visit Dad these last couple of years. It always brightened up his day and made a world of difference. We want to especially thank Steve Brancato, Steve Stevens and family, Glenn Parker, Ralph Fanucchi and Gary Post for spending time with Dad.

    Dad is survived by his wife of 62 years Andonietta Ann Brancato and his 3 children Michael Brancato, Joseph Brancato {Jenny Mavity Brancato} & Barbara Brancato {John} Tokash; Grandchildren Daniel {Sunshine}, Joseph & Ashton {Nikki} Brancato, Shannon & Luis Pompa, Zachariah, Elyanna & Ezekiel Pompa, Brandy Steinke & sons Todd Morris, Aidan & Tristin Steinke, Sydney & Sean Tokash, 3 great grandchildren Gabby, Austin & Catlin McCain and 1 great-great Granddaughter Emma.  He is also survived by his brother Larry (Carol) Brancato and his children Julie, Mark & Steven Brancato, Brother in law Rudy (Barbara) Angone son Steven Angone daughter Tina Angone, Brother in-law Aldo (Alberta) Angone daughter Shelly (Ed) Angone Davis, Nicole Angone Rosales.  Dad was from New Jersey where most of his cousins still reside there are so many to mention, special & favorite cousin’s Sandra Massa, Beatrice De Feo, & Lena Brancato Graham and other cousins Rosalie Rizzo, Lorraine (Johnny) Cerchio and Diana Marinaccio.

     Pallbearers will be Joseph Brancato, Jr., Todd Morris, Aden Steinke, Tristin Steinke, Sean Tokash and Zachary Bruce. Honorary Pallbearers: Larry Brancato, Aldo Angone, Rudy Angone, Jesse Cobb, Ralph Fanucchi, Glenn Parker and Steve Stevens.

     Visitation is scheduled Tuesday, July 7 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 8 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Due to the current health restrictions, masks will be required at the church. Graveside service will follow at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery. Following the graveside there will be a reception at the Italian Heritage Dante Hall.