Anthony Eugene Furtado

October 3, 1947 - March 27, 2021

Anthony Eugene Furtado passed away at his home in Corning on March 27th, at the age of 73. He was surrounded by his wife and partner of more than 50 years, and his three children. All his family was by his side, holding his hands and comforting him as he made his final journey. He aggressively battled prostate, leukemia, lymphatic and bone cancer over the past 12 years and suffered a severe reaction to his first chemotherapy treatment. Born October 3, 1947 in Hanford, California, he grew up on a cotton farm outside Riverdale, California, on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. He began working at a very young age on the farm and developed an unprecedented work ethic, that he would use throughout his life. He graduated Riverdale High School with honors, scholarships and enjoyed participating in the local FFA chapter. He attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, while working summers operating equipment to pay for school, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural (Mechanical) Engineering. He moved back to his hometown and accepted employment with New Holland Equipment Company in Fowler, California as a Senior Design Engineer. He was responsible for designing multiple types of farm equipment that are still manufactured and used today. He held multiple design patents on the New Holland 1045 Automatic Bale Wagon, including redesigning the machine frame, all of which is still used till this day in manufacturing the current machine model. While working as an Engineer he met the love of his life Jackie, in his hometown, and they soon married and started a family. After 6 years of working as an Engineer he decided he wanted to pursue his lifelong dream of working with cattle and horses. He moved his family to Geyserville, California, and managed the Gauer Ranch, a vast 8,000 acre cattle and horse ranch in the hills and valleys. It was here that he was successfully involved in the early development of wine grapes in the Alexander Valley. He later moved his family to Corning, California, and managed the 3,500 acre Tranquility Brangus Ranch. He was active in developing the Brangus cattle breed and received numerous awards and recognitions for his efforts in developing the breed’s genetics. He successfully sold breeding animals all over the US, including Hawaii. In 1989 he decided to go back to his roots, to become a third generation dirt mover and started a successful agricultural earthmoving business. He enjoyed spending the next 25 years successfully shaping the land in the north valley for the surrounding farmers and ranchers. The business continues today through his son. Anthony is survived by his wife Jackie, sons Jonathan (Kerry) of San Jose, Shawn (Mary) and daughter Jessica (Erik) Prouty all of Corning, grandchildren Samantha Prouty, Tyler Prouty, and Iva Furtado, sister Lorraine (Benny) Tomasetti of Riverdale, brother Edward of Fresno, nieces Shelley (Matthew) Tacherra of Riverdale, Adriana Furtado of Sanger, nephews Christopher (Casey) Tomasetti of Fresno, Michael Furtado of Fresno, and many great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Tony and Mary Furtado, and baby sister, all of Riverdale California. The Family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or your local Veteran Support Group.