Anthony "Tony" Grijalva Monreal

Tony was a loving and dedicated son to Arnulfo S. and Concepcion “Concha” Monreal. He was brother to Arnold, Hector, John, Oralia Ann, Jose, Dulie, George and Randy. He was born in humble surroundings at Steindorf Ranch in Las Deltas in June of 1938. He was blessed to have lived 83 years of life. He celebrated his birthday on June 26th surrounded by his family.

Tony was the loving husband of Minie for almost 63 years. He was dad to Anthony “Bino” and Linda Monreal, J. Patrick Monreal, Jimmy and Peggy Monreal and Valerie and Douglas Kemp. He was “Ta”, grandpa to Timothy and his wife Liz, Ryan, Christina, Kenneth, Kathryn, Shaun and his wife Sasha, Sarah, Anthony, Tara, Patrick, and Michael. He was great grandpa to Irie James, Leary Toña, Niklaus and Kaiser.

Some called him nino or godfather. Others called him compadre. His many nieces and nephews called him tio or uncle Tony. His cousins from the Grijalva side and the Monreal side called him primo. He was loved dearly by his in laws as well, especially the Molina side. He was a coach, mentor, counselor and friend. Most importantly, he was called a man of God, never perfect but always striving, with God’s grace, to do His will. He had a strong, spiritual side that impacted his love of God in nature. When he dug in the soil, planted trees, flowers and shrubs an aura of prayer, reverence and peace shined brightly on this little patch of soil we called the ranch. And that spirit of peace has affected many who have experienced its touch.

Tony served 34 years in the United States Postal Service beginning as a letter carrier in Firebaugh and retiring as a Postmaster in Orange Cove, California. As like most families in the day, as a boy and teen, Tony worked with his family as a laborer especially enjoying those vacations in Napa picking plums and prunes amongst other field work. It was in these fields and orchards that he met his future spouse, Minie. He sometimes worked 2 or 3 jobs to support his young family, never faltering as their “everyday hero.” He taught us that a quality education was one of the greatest gifts from God. In his retirement years, he served as a School Board Member for Raisin City Elementary. He was a strong advocate for the school children there never forgetting his humble roots.

Tony enjoyed life and never met a stranger. He was a humble man whose charismatic smile and sense of humor opened many doors and extended our family. Our friends, classmates and teammates became adopted family after experiencing time in the Monreal home, whether in Las Deltas, Firebaugh, Fresno or the country around Raisin City. Tony was also known for the wonderful nicknames he would give the youth he may have coached or to the young relatives who knew him well.

The greatest lesson he taught us is that all is gift from God and for these blessings we must be eternally grateful and thankful. !Adios! We commend you to God the Father. !Hasta luego! Until we meet again in Paradise. !Gracias! Thank you for all you taught us.

We love you because we have first been loved.

John 3:16