In loving memory of
Richard D. Menezes
September 27, 1937 - December 12, 2015
Richard Menezes - beloved husband, father, and general force of nature, passed away in
Sacramento on December 12th, 2015 after a long illness. Born to parents Manuel and Mary Menezes of Gustine in 1937, Richard attended Gustine High School, graduating in 1955. After assisting parents in his teenage years on their dairy and ranch, Richard ventured out with two of his brothers into a trucking and hay business in the late 1950’s. Eventually their hard effort developed the enterprise into a multi-state trucking, farming and international agricultural export
business. The brothers worked with John Deere to develop new ways of exporting hay products, helping to pioneer the hay cube. While maintaining agricultural and transportation efforts, Richard worked with City of Los Banos staff and other local folks to revamp planning and implement new
infrastructure, which allowed much of the eastern side of Los Banos to develop. Several real estate developments and improvements on the east side of town are due primarily to his tireless efforts.
Very active in the Catholic Church, Richard was a Eucharistic Minister, served on Our Lady of Fatima School Board and was an instrumental force assisting local Diocese fund and construct a beautiful replacement structure for the original St. Joseph’s Church during the early 1990’s.
Richard was married in 1963 to Carol Fry and they maintained a loving relationship over more than 52 years. After raising three sons, Richard and Carol began assisting Merced County and Child Protective Services with special needs infants, caring for more than 56 children in their home over the years and even adopting one as their son. Semi-retiring and moving to the north coast of California in 2007, the couple continued to assist CPS with emergency infant care and Richard focused on developing an excellent garden around his home.
Richard enjoyed hunting & fishing in far flung areas with his extended family and always loved the clever practical joke. Never one to be selfish or petty – Richard always made it a policy to put the needs of others first.
Richard was preceded in death by both his parents and brothers John and Manuel.
He is survived by brother Herman; sistersVirginia and Mary; wife Carol; sons Montgomery, Morgan, Richard & Jerome; daughters-in-law Sutton, Virginia & Sheila and 12 amazing grandchildren.
Services for Richard will be held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday, December 18th, 2015. Rosary starts at Noon, followed by funeral proceedings at 12:30 pm. A local reception for guests, friends and family is to follow.