Arturo S. Farinas

Arturo S. Farinas, age 86, of Earlimart, California passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. He was born on April 24, 1936 at Fort Stotsenburg in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines to Clemente and Jacoba Farinas.

Arturo's father served in the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), which was part of the U.S. Army Forces Far East's Philippine Department, during World War II. The 26th engaged in the last cavalry charge in the history of the U.S. cavalry. Many of the cavalry members were shipped to the United States, including Arturo's father in the early 1950's, who continued his U.S. Army service during the Korean War.

Arturo’s life with his wife and six children in the Philippines was tough, and Arturo held odd jobs as a cigarette and balut vendor, until he found a decent paying job at Manila General Electric as a refrigerator charger. Yet, Arturo strived to find better opportunities to give his children bright futures.

After about a year of writing letters and pleading with his father to petition him to the United States, Arturo arrived in America on July 2, 1969. Being migrant farm workers, Arturo and his father traveled around Coachella and San Joaquin Valleys. They dwelled from camp to camp of Coachella, Hanford, Arvin, Fresno, and finally Delano, working through the grape seasons: pruning, suckering, pulling leaves, tipping, girdling, and picking. Arturo was reunited with his wife in 1973, and finally with his children in 1975. Arturo fondly told his children stories of their nomadic lives at the camps. Arturo was briefly a foreman for an agriculture company, and he had enough influence to get his teenage children hired as grape pickers every summer. On February 5, 1976, Arturo began work at Cambridge Filters at Delano, CA, where he faithfully worked as a painter/welder until he retired at age 70 in 2006. Arturo peacefully lived his life with his loving wife, Avelina, until her death in 2019. Arturo and Avelina were married for over 62 years.

Arturo was a great story teller, who possessed a sharp mind. He fluently spoke English, Tagalog, Ilocano, and Pangasinan and was able to converse in Kapampangan and Spanish. Arturo and his wife taught their children how to respect others, know the value of money, foster hard work and perseverance, and live life with passion. Arturo’s wit and sense of humor remained, but his body betrayed him in the end. He left this world just a little better than before by his legacy of love, compassion, and integrity he and his wife instilled in their children.

Arturo is survived by his brothers Francisco, Roberto, and Eduardo; sisters Virginia and Carmelita; son Dan and daughter-in-law Suzy Joy of Lathrop, CA; daughter Mayet of Northridge, CA; son Jerry and daughter-in-law Yolanda of Delano, CA; son Orland and daughter-in-law Malou of Palmdale, CA; son Willie and daughter-in-law Ingrid of Brentwood, CA; son Benny and daughter-in-law Bernadette of Tehachapi, CA; grandchildren Mark, Desiree, Brandon, JR, Brian, Niko, Kyle, Arianna, Kianna, Breanne, and Benjamin; and great grandchildren Olivia, Jasper, Jasmine, Bryant, Keanu, Kieran, Maxine, Amila, and Benny Francisco.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Avelina dela Cruz Farinas; parents, Clemente and Jacoba Farinas; sisters, Gloria Torres and Erlinda Resurreccion; brother, Rodolfo Farinas; father-in-law, Silvestre dela Cruz; mother-in-law, Peregrina Malimban dela Cruz; and brothers-in-law, Carlito, Leonardo, and Ernesto dela Cruz.

Serving as pallbearers are Orland Farinas, Willie Farinas, Benny Farinas, Mark Farinas, Brandon Basconcillo, JR Farinas, Brian Farinas, Niko Farinas, Kyle Farinas and Benjamin Farinas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.delanomortuary.com for the Farinas family. Services entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Delano, a Dignity Memorial provider.