Obituary of Donald Hilary Corotto

Donald Hilary Corotto passed away on April 21, 2022 at the age of 88 years, in Hollister, California, at Hazel Hawkins Hospital. Donald was born in Hollister to Anna Frances Angoustures and Antone (Tony) Corotto on July 7, 1933. He graduated from Southside Grammar School, San Benito Joint Union High School and San Benito Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree. Don spent his whole life living in the Southside area of San Benito County. He was a self-employed Orchardist operating Angoustures and Corotto orchards for the majority of his life except for the two years he spent in the Army with the Nike Missile program in Chicago , Illinois. He was an owner/manager of the Corotto Bros. – Storm Ranch and Rancho De LLanada which he enjoyed greatly. Don spent his entire childhood in Southside Valley. He learned to swim in the irrigation canal right outside of his house. He raised all sorts of animals during those years such as doves, sheep, some birds such as chukar, pigeons, and quail. He caught red-legged frogs in the lake beneath the Corotto Home Place and would take them home to be eaten by family. He spent hours during his childhood roaming the creek and fields surrounding his home like Huckleberry Finn. He was involved in 4-H activities during this time where he raised sheep and learned some mechanics and basic electricity which was taught by parents of the children in his valley. It was a child’s paradise. He often commented that he used all the knowledge he acquired during those years to help him as an adult in his business. Don had a special talent for welding colorful, three-dimensional ornamental sculptures as signs and gates that are placed on his ranches. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; Anna and Tony Corotto, brothers; Robert and Loren Corotto. Don is survived by his wife Nenette Latapie Corotto, Children; Nancy Corotto Wilcox and Christopher D. Corotto, Grandson Ashton Wilcox, Brother Allen F. Corotto of San Francisco, CA, sister-in-law Barbara Haney Corotto of Napa CA, sister-in-law Jacqueline Latapie Gomes of Morgan Hill, CA., niece and nephews Stephen Gomes and Todd (Mirka) Gomes of Morgan Hill, Anna Corotto (Brent) Bird of Lafayette, Loren V. Corotto of Napa, CA, Ellen Corotto (Steve) Seiler of Lafayette, CA, Hilary Corotto (Richard) Glass of Walnut Creek, CA, Claire Corotto (Jeff) Mallett of Napa and Woodside CA. Great Nieces and Nephews are Tara and Tyler Gomes, Sofia and Eva Gomes, Isiah Bird, Rachel (Jake) Glass Adler , Amelia, and Robert Glass, Anthony, Daniel and Natalie Seiler, Victoria (Jake) Corotto Rachleff and Amber Mallett. Funeral Services will be held as follows: Visitation will be held on April 28, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos Ca. on April 29th, at 1:00 PM; Internment will follow mass at Calvary Cemetery, Mausoleum Chapel interior east side, in Hollister. Memorial donations may be made to Pet Friends and Rescue of San Benito County 2975 Buena Vista Road, Hollister, CA 95023, Community Foundation, or the charity of your choice.