Monte Pistoresi, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on April 23, 2025, at the age of 86. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and the many lives he touched throughout his extraordinary life.
Born on July 18, 1938, in Miramonte, California, Monte was the son of Pete and Irene Pistoresi. After graduating from Santa Clara University in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration, Monte answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Army and completing assignments at Fort Benning, Fort Holabird and the Presidio.
In 1963, he returned to Chowchilla to work for his family’s Chevrolet dealership. His father had started an ambulance service with one vehicle in 1942, which served the Chowchilla area. Recognizing the need for professional emergency care, Monte trained in the brand new EMT-1 and EMT-2 Pilot programs, becoming a charter member of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
The dealership closed in 1981, but Monte, along with Bill Ritchie and Bryan Ladd, secured the ambulance contract for the City of Madera. By 1982, Pistoresi Ambulance Service was operating three ambulances with ten employees. Eventually Monte became partners with his son Ted and, after 45 years of service, Pistoresi Ambulance operates 10 ambulances and employs 63 people. Ted will proudly continue to operate the business, continuing a three-generation tradition of lifesaving service.
Monte’s dedication to service extended far beyond his professional work. He poured his heart into coaching the Chowchilla Lions Little League team and had 10 consecutive years of championship teams. He umpired Little League games in both Chowchilla and Madera. His love for the game, and for nurturing young people, led him to create and contribute to the American League Umpire Association’s Madera Chapter. He took local umpires to San Bernardino for specialized training, which raised the standard of umpiring throughout Madera at that time.
Monte served his community tirelessly. He held leadership roles on the boards of the Madera Community Hospital Foundation from 1990-1998 then transitioned to the hospital Board of Trustees from 1998-2024. He was a member of Madera Kiwanis Club, Madera Elks, Madera NAACP, and the Madera County Emergency Medical Care Committee, just to name a few. His charitable spirit was reflected in his many donations, including Children’s Hospital of Central California and St. Joaquim’s Church.
Throughout his life, Monte was honored with numerous awards. He was named Citizen of the Year by the Madera Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce. He received Distinguished Citizenship Awards from both the Madera Elks and Kiwanis Clubs, the Martin Luther King Committee Humanitarian Award, and was named Madera Rotary's Business of the Year. He also received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II in gratitude for his support of St. Joaquim’s School.
Yet Monte’s proudest accomplishment was always his family. He shared 65 joyful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Leona. He leaves behind four children and three daughters-in-law: Tim (Jonae), Mike (Celeste), Patti, and Ted (Patty); seven grandchildren: Katie, Vincent, Stephen, Nick, Sami, Selena, and Thomas; and six great-grandchildren: Gianna, Vienna, Ellie, Enzo, Violet, and Aurora.
Monte’s devotion to his family and to everyone around him was unmatched. His generosity and endless encouragement touched not just his family but also his employees and countless others who saw him as a mentor, a role model, or a father figure.
Monte had a special way of making everyone feel included. He was quick to make friends with any child or pet thanks to his endless supply of treats. At any gathering, you could find him wandering around the room to make sure glasses were full and spirits were high. He loved showing guests his Elvis memorabilia and, when the mood was right, playing lively Italian songs on his accordion.
Monte Pistoresi’s remarkable legacy is one of faith, kindness, service, and love. His life reminds us that the greatest measure of success is not in what we accumulate, but in the lives we lift along the way.
A rosary service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 7, 2025, at Jay’s Chapel in Madera. The funeral service is at 9:30 a.m. on May 8, 2025, at St. Joachim’s Church in Madera, officiated by Fr. Stephen Spencer, OSJ. A luncheon will be held after the service at San Joaquin Winery in Madera, and burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Chowchilla Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Little League of Madera at 1516 Howard Road #181, Madera, CA 93637. Please put "Monte Pistoresi Memorial" in the subject line of the checks.
Monte’s family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support during this time of remembrance.

A tribute to a very
'special gentleman
By Savannah Calzone
Long before I met this gentleman, I had heard stories about him.
That's not so unusual, right? Well, what makes this man special is
that the stories that people told me in the grocery store, in their liying rooms and in the parking lot at church....these were all good stories. How often does that happen?
Let me share some of these stories with you.
Recently, he was blessed by His Holiness, the Pope. Now, before
you get any of those "Mother Theresa" ideas in your head, read on.
This is no ordinary blessed guy we're dealing with.
First, I had better tell you that where ever this man goes, fun follows. I've seen him dressed as Elvis..in both the pre- and post-jelly
donut phases. Recently, he appeared as a "Face of the Day" disguised as a chicken. His buddy (who tagged along in a cow costume), tells me that our friend returned home one 'evening to find a
fifty-pound sack of chicken feed on his front porch and a flock of
chicks setting up residence in his back yard. Later that evening, a
police officer appeared on the doorstep in response to complaints
that the family had set up a chicken ranch.
Not to be outdone, our hero invited the perpetrator of this prank
to lunch at Lucca's. When the waitress lifted the covered tray, she
revealed a plate full of chicken feet.
This man is also known for bringing out greatness in others,
uncovering talents that were previously hidden. In fact, it was is in
his back yard that the famous Stel "Stool Man" Manfredi debuted
on the World's Smallest Stage. Word has it that, with a little help
from Arthur Murray, Mr. Manfredi will be premiering on Broadway
- sOon.
I've also heard a rather famous legend about a dinner party.
Imagine siting down to dine on a spaghetti dinner with a group of
your closest friends..without plates. The evening concluded with
wine without a wine bottle and dancing to the oldies station in the
back yard. Martha Stewart and Miss Manners take note: many
months after this party took place, people were still raving about the
event.
There are lots of other stories from lots of other friends, and,
they're all wonderful. He's an avid hunter, and a gracious host.
He's devoted to his family, adores his wife, worships his grandchildren. I asked him once what he enjoys more than anything else,
and he replied without any hesitation, "making people smile".
Chances are, if you and the spousal unit kicked up your heels at a
local soiree, this gentleman quietly sponsored the event. Over the
course of just the last year, he has helped underwrite several local
fundraisers, including the Alegria Guild Black Tie Bash, the Saint
Joachim's Harvest Festival, the Saint Joachim's Gnocchi dinner,
Sonrise Rotary's Trees for Charity and the EIk's Sweetheart Dance.
Next week, were gathering to benefit the Madera Community
Hospital Foundation at their annual dinner dance on Saturday,.
August 1Oth at the home of Lee and Anna daSilva. As usual, we'll
be dancing..this time to the sounds of Papa Clutch and the Shifters.
Tickets are available by contacting MCHS Community Relations
Director Rae Gomes at 675-5503. There are a lot of good reasons
to attend this dinner, but let me add one more to the list: it's another
event that this gentleman helped to sponsor.
If you were to ask him about the Foundation Dinner, he would
modestly defer your compliments to Chair Deidre da Silva, cochairs Lana Manfredi and Margaret Diebert. He would talk about
the great causes that the Foundation supports, primarily the purchase of medical equipment for the local hospital. He would talk
about what wonderful hosts Lee and Anna are. He would tell you
great stories about his friend Bob Kelley, and then the subject would
change to something else, and before you know it, he's deftly sidestepped your compliment. The one intended just for Monte.
For those of you who know Monte Pistoresi, then you are already
acquainted with his generous nature and his dancing feet. When I
hear a great b?nd playing, I turm and look for Monte. When I find
him, he's dancing with Leona in the middle of the floor.
Mr. Pistoresi, you're a blessing on two dancing feet. Thanks
again, Monte, for the smiles, fun and friendship.