Mr. Roberto Garcia Ponce

Roberto Ponce, manager of the famed Venice Island Duck Club, passed away on Dec. 5 at St. Josephs’ Hospital. He was 78. Born in Jalisco, Sonora, Mexico in 1936, he is survived by his wife of 59 years, Monica, and five children and numerous grand- and great-grand children.

Roberto came to the U.S. as a 17-year old under the Bracero Program and worked for Alex Spanos and later in Linden for Lagorio Farms. In 1958 Roberto was hired by construction magnet Dan Nomellini, founder of the Venice Island Duck Club. Two years later, was named manager of what many waterfowl enthusiasts called, “America’s premiere duck camp.”

Roberto was so talented and sincere, he soon became a personal friend with many of the most famous people in the world, including innkeeper Barron Hilton, movie icon Clark Gable, publisher Robert Petersen, candy maker Harry Sees, test pilot Gen. Chuck Yeager and Texas oil tycoon Ed Pauley, who came to the Delta island west of Stockton to hunt ducks.

Hilton said, “Roberto Ponce was a remarkable individual and his commitment and dedication to the Venice Island Duck Club was greatly appreciated by our members and guests. Roberto was very dear to us all.”

Visitation for Roberto will be held at DeYoung Shoreline Chapel 7676 Shoreline Dr. Stockton CA on Thursday 12/11/2014 from 10am to 2pm followed by a Funeral service at 2pm. Please sign guestbook at www.deyoungchapels.