Eugene A Pato

Eugene Anthony Pato, Jr. passed away in the very early hours of Monday, August 3, 2015, at Applegate Assisted Living in Buhl, Idaho. Gene was born the second child of eleven, to Eugene Pato, Sr. and Margaret Cardoza Pato, in Oakley, California, on August 10, 1933. He grew up there picking almonds, grapes and apricots with his siblings. He graduated from Liberty Union High School in Brentwood, CA. He served in the US Army, in Alaska, during the Korean Conflict, and was released from active military service in 1955 and transferred to the Army Reserve to complete 8 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion. Gene had married his first wife, Bette Mello, before going into the Army. From this union he was blessed with three boys: David, Ron, and Larry. They divorced when the boys were still young. He married a second time to Novadean Downs, and to this union gained a son he adopted, Robbie, and was blessed with a daughter, Wendy Jean. They, too, later divorced. Gene met the love of HIS LIFE, Della (Robison) Rudolph at Glass Container Corp., in Antioch, CA, where he retired after more than 30 years of employment in 1989, most of those as a much respected foreman. To this union, Gene gained three stepsons: Mike, Martin, and Mark Rudolph, and one stepdaughter, Michelle (Rudolph) Pato. Over the years Gene was an avid golfer, hunter, gardener and slow-pitch ball player. He looked forward to the yearly hunting trips to Modoc, CA. with all his brothers and close friends. Teaching all the younger family members as they were added to those trips, was a real joy for him. Although he, himself, didn’t ever make it to play pro-football or baseball, he always bragged that his cousin, John Gonzaga, was drafted right out of High School to play for the 49ers, and later the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and Denver Broncos. Gene loved the outdoors and would sit in his chair or on the swing just watching all the birds and creatures. He was an excellent marksman and got rid of many squirrels and snakes that invaded his fruit trees and garden. In 1989, Gene had the pleasure of seeing his baby brother, Tony marry the love of his life, Michelle, who had been Gene’s stepdaughter for a little over 10 years. He continued to be her “Pop” and she and Tony have been very close to him since Della’s passing. He has always been “Papa” to their girls, Maegan and Abbey Gene, both with whom he has always had a very special bond, also. Grandma and Papa would attend all of their dance recitals, volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, church and Girl Scout activities. He continued to attend all those after she passed away, until just a year or so ago, when he started slowing down and the dementia made him want to stay in his usual routine. Gene was always proud to share that he had 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way!). He spoiled them as much as he could and taught several of them how to tell time by making them wait for “8:30 ice cream time”. Gene and Della shared almost 30 years together square dancing, bowling, playing cards with family and friends, and traveling to see as much family, and as many sights, as they could. After her passing eight years ago, he became more and more a lost soul. He faithfully put flowers on her grave every two weeks until just a couple months ago when, due to his dementia getting worse, the doctor took away his driver’s license. Sadly, that was a big turning point in his desire to carry on. He missed Mom so immensely! Surviving are Gene’s children: David (Tina) of Elk Grove, CA., Ron (Lili) of Oakley, CA., Larry of Antioch, CA., and Wendy (Dante) Gaines of Oakley, CA. His stepchildren Mike Rudolph of Twin Falls, Martin Rudolph of Antioch, CA., and Mark (Jennifer) Rudolph and Michelle (Tony) Pato of Buhl, Idaho; 4 sisters and 5 brothers: Mary Spinelli, Phyllis (Glenn) Grove, and Rosemary (Jerry) Hinijos, all of Brentwood, CA., and Linda (Ron) Floyd of Clayton, CA., John Pato and Pete (Liz) Pato of Antioch, CA., Bob Pato of Bethel Island, CA., Bill (Vernette) Pato of Brentwood, CA., and Tony (Michelle) Pato of Buhl, Idaho; 16 grandchildren: Shari & Noelle Pato of Elk Grove, CA., Alyssa & Austin Pato of Martinez, CA., Amber Pato of Seattle, WA., Dylan Pato of Oakley, CA., Kristian Garcia of Minot Air Force Base, ND, Alissa Garcia of Sierra Vista AZ., Marni (Will) Self of Windsor, CA., Matthew (Shannon) Rudolph of Alameda, CA., Miranda (David) Riosbaas of Oakley, CA., Maegan & Abbey Pato, Jacob & Maggie Rudolph, all of Buhl, Idaho, and Marshal Rudolph of Twin Falls, Idaho; 6 great-grandchildren: William, Rawni Jo, and Robert Self of Windsor, CA., Aubrey and soon-to-be brother Rudolph of Alameda, CA., DJ and soon-to-be brother Riosbaas of Oakley, CA., and Glinda Rudolph of Twin Falls, Idaho. He is also survived by a son-by-heart, Jim George, and a lifelong friend, Martin Enni, both of Antioch, CA., along with many, many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Della (Robison) Rudolph Pato, mother Margaret; father Eugene Sr.; son Robbie, sister Shirley Farnum and her husband Rod, brother-in-law Gus Spinelli, and sisters-in-law Marita Pato and Linda Pato. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene’s name may be sent to the First Baptist Youth Group, 910 Shoshone St., Twin Falls, Idaho 83301, or the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street W., Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. Special thanks to both Applegate Assisted Living staff, and Idaho Home Health and Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion shown to both Gene and the family during the past two months. God bless you for what you do! Viewing for Gene will be held from 6-8:00pm on Friday, August 7th at Rosenau Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 8th at the First Baptist Church in Twin Falls