Victor A. Pozzi

The family and many friends of Vic Pozzi, Windsor, sadly mourn his death. Victor A. Pozzi, ex-dairyman in Sonoma and Windsor, passed away on October 4, 2014 as the result of a massive stroke he suffered on July 3, 2014. Victor Archangelo Pozzi was born July 4, 1931 to parents Gerry and Flora (Sartori) Pozzi, a family of dairy farmers. Vic graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 1950 where as a senior he was awarded the Distinguished American Farmer Degree, the first Future Farmer of America student at Sonoma High School to be awarded this honor. Vic assumed responsibility of managing his parents’ dairy in 1963 after the death of his father…….and never looked back. In the mid 80's Vic retired from the dairy business as a respected and successful dairy farmer known by many and loved by all, a legend in his time.

Vic served three years in the U.S. Army during which time he served in Korea. He often said that he served his country with pride….he was proud to be an American.

In 1956 while living in Sonoma Vic became involved with the Schell-Vista Fire Department as a volunteer. This was the beginning of his life-long commitment to volunteer fire fighting. In 1963 with the family move to Windsor Vic convinced his neighbors that the rural area where they lived needed a volunteer fire department. Today this volunteer fire department is the Windsor Fire Protection District in which he served over 45 years.

In 1987 known throughout the State of California as a competent and successful dairyman Vic sold his dairy herd. Retirement was not in his picture! Within a short time and because of his love for people and animals he became the originator of Vic’s Farm, “Noah’s Ark of the Barnyard” as Tim Tesconi, former Press Democrat Farm Reporter, commented in one of his articles. Vic’s farm became home for llamas, emus, sheep, ducks, geese, Brahma cattle, chickens, and his faithful friend, Border Collie, and companion, Jeff. For years thereafter and until the day of his stroke Vic entertained visitors from around the world introducing adults and children to his menagerie of animals. “Farmer Vic”, as he became known, is recognized as one of Sonoma County’s most respected and loved agricultural goodwill ambassadors. He loved life and life loved him. Rest in peace, dear Vic.

Vic is predeceased by his parents and sister, Geraldine Ferreira, and his first cousins Stanley Ramatici, Lester Corda, Joseph Corda, Ernest Corda, Everett Sartori, Leland Sartori and Charlotte Sartori Quesenberry. Vic is survived by a large family of relatives, neighbors, firefighters and friends. His surviving first cousins include Duane Sartori, Petaluma; Ralph Sartori, Petaluma; Don Ramatici, Petaluma; Dorothy Wheeler, Montana; Janis Bluhm, Washington; Don Sartori, Petaluma; Conrad Eaton, Washington; Dorothy Nadale, Petaluma; Beverly Candage, Carlsbad; Mervyn Sartori, Petaluma; Eleanor Avilla, Petaluma; Esther Moreda, Petaluma; Allen Marcucci, Petaluma; Shirley Sullivan, Santa Rosa; Marjorie Rosselli, Penngrove; Barbara Thomas, Healdsburg.

Vic's first cousins would like to thank Dean Crothers of the Windsor Fire Protection District and Rick Olufs, Vic's neighbor of many years, for their support and help on Vic's ranch during the time of Vic's illness. Vic's family would also like to thank Park View Post Acute staff for their attentive, consistent, and respectful care of Vic. Additionally we would like to thank Hospice By the Bay, especially Jackie, Chris, and Raymond for the generous love they openly gave to Vic and to us during Vic's last weeks of life.

Viewing at Lafferty and Smith Colonial Chapel, 4321 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa, will be held on Sunday, October 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Funeral Services for Vic will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 8400 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor on Monday, October 13 at 11a.m. Prior to the service The Windsor Fire Protection District will lead a burial procession from Wells Fargo Center of the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, through the town of Windsor to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. The public is invited to join this procession. Those who would like to participate are asked to meet at Wells Fargo Center at 9:30 a.m. Public burial will be at Mountain Cemetery, 90 First Street West, Sonoma the following day, Tuesday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m.

Donations in Vic's name are appreciated to Shell-Vista Fire Department, 22950 Broadway Street, Sonoma, CA 95476; Windsor Fire Protection District, 8200 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor, CA 95492-9217; Hospice By The Bay, 190 West Napa Street, Sonoma, California 95476.