Obituary of Anthony Paiva

Anthony Joseph "Tony" Paiva, entered into rest February 23, 2013 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on May 11, 1938 in Chico, California to Tony and Evelyn [Mendonca] Paiva, Tony spent his youth in Chico, where he attended Shasta Elementary School and graduated with the Class of 1956 from Chico High School. He worked at AeroJet as a machinist in Sacramento from 1959 to 1966, then moved to Orland to return to farming and raising his family. He worked with his brother, Jim, at Paiva Hulling & Shelling for nearly 30 years and also owned and operated Tony's Orchard Recycling. Tony looked forward to meals with his mother every day during harvest. He was a farmer at heart, and loved nothing more than taking his grandchildren for a ride on his tractor through his orchard, his multitude of birds, cows, and his constant companions, his dogs, of whom there were many throughout the years. Tony touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Elsie Ann Maddux. Tony is survived by his best friend and brother, James "Jim" Paiva [Geraldine] of Chico, his wife, Pamela Paiva of Orland, daughters Kerri Paiva of Paradise, Kelly Paiva Gilbert [Mark] of Orland, Marianne Paiva [Matthew Bently] of Chico, son Anthony Hedrick [Mary] of Cabool, Missouri, step-daughter Suzy King of Orland, step-son Shane Thatcher of Orland, and numerous grandchildren. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27th at Brusie Funeral Home in Chico. A Catholic Mass will be held at 11a.m. on Thursday, February 28th at Our Divine Savior Catholic Church. Brusie Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Tony loved animals and farming, and the family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Tony's name to your local animal shelter or to the Tony J. Paiva Memorial Scholarship fund at the Chico High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America. Scholarship donations may be mailed to Northern California National Bank, 1717 Mangrove Ave., Chico, CA 95926