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Mitchel M. Mulas

 On March 31, 2011, our beloved Mitchel M. Mulas, 82, passed away following complications with heart surgery.

He was the loving husband and best friend for more than 60 years to his wonderful wife, Nilda (Ricci) Mulas; dad to Vickie Mulas, Raymond (Janey) Mulas, Carolyn Mulas, Mike (Denise) Mulas; nonno to Michael (Adrianne) Medeiros, Vincent Medeiros, Anthony Mulas, Deondra Mulas, Danielle Mulas and Michael Mulas; great-nonno to Alyssa and Alexa Medeiros, all of Sonoma.

Mitchel was born to Michele (Mike) Mulas, who came to the United States from Sardinia, Italy, at the age of 13, and Mary (Segarini) Mulas, a native of San Francisco and survivor of the 1906 earthquake, on May 12, 1928, at the Old Sonoma Hospital on Burndale Road.

He attended the one-room Tule Vista School and graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 1946. Mitch and Nilda met when she was 13 and he was 15. She was attending Tule Vista School with his brother, Mario. From the beginning they shared a common bond. Her family was operating a dairy on the property now known as Buena Vista Vineyards on Ramal Road. They, had their first date when she was 16 and three years later on April 29, 1950, he married the love of his life and they began their journey.

Mitch and his brother Mario (who preceded him in death in 1998) expanded the original 16 cow dairy established in 1922 by their parents on Sonoma Mountain to the present 1.000 cow herd at its current location in Sonoma. As he saw the industry he loved so much begin to change, Mitch (Dad) recognized the need to diversify. Alta Vista, a ranch the family had purchased in the early 1960s for pasture to graze heifers was converted to grapes in the 1990s. A dream of his became a reality when he decided to create a wine under the family name. He loved when family, friends and neighbors would drop by to enjoy Nilda's wonderful cooking and a glass of wine. The simple things in life brought joy to dad. Whether it was feeding his cows, checking the crops and the vineyards or mending a fence, dad loved being a dairyman and farmer. It brought joy to dad to work on a daily basis with his children and grandchildren continuing the family tradition.

Dad, at an early age along with his father, helped form the Schell-Vista Fire Protection District in 1942. He became assistant chief in 1955 and has served as fire chief since 1968. One of "chief's" proudest moments was seeing the completion of the current fire station through the efforts of so many. His love and dedication for the department has mentored many volunteers including his sons and grandsons.

Acknowledged for civic and industry involvement, dad led by example throughout his life. He believed that being involved and giving back to the community was an honor and responsibility. He was always quick to acknowledge it was with the love and support of his wife and children that allowed him to be involved. He once accepted an award and stated, "It is easy for me to accept this award, because I always know I have the love and support of Nilda and the kids to keep an eye on the farm when I am away."

Dad, you have given your family so much to be proud of and we are honored to have been loved by such a wonderful, kind, gentle and generous husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Your love and guidance shall remain with us as you are reunited with your family in heaven.

Friends are invited to attend a visitation from noon until 8 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011, at Duggan's Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.

A funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 12, at St. Francis Solano Church, 300 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.

A private interment will be held at Mountain Cemetery also in Sonoma.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mitch's honor can make them to: the Shell-Vista Volunteer Fire Department, 23000 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476; the Sonoma Valley High School Football Program, c/o Sonoma Valley High School, 20000 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476; or to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Foundation, 970 Piner Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403.

Inquiries can be made to Duggan's Mission Chapel at 996-3655 or to www.duggansmissionchapel.com.