Tony's parents were immigrants to the US from the Azores Island of Flores. When he enrolled in West Park Elementary school, he only spoke Portuguese, which was an incredible hardship. He spent the first year learning to speak English and then was forced to do first grade again. His wife Emma Gregorio Miguel had a similar experience. Thus, they decided that only English would be spoken by their two daughters.
Tony was the oldest of 5 children, all born in the USA to Antone Freitas Miguel and Ana Pedro Armas. He was raised on a farm where his father grew crops and had a vineyard. After two years in High School, Tony finished his education through 4Cs School of Business; however, when his mother died when he was 17, he was unable to realize his dream of being a CPA and instead, helped his father with the ranch and his siblings. As the oldest child, a great deal of responsibility fell on his shoulders to help his Dad raise the younger ones. His brother Fred was 14, Cecilia was 13, George was 10 and the baby Fernando, was only 5 years old when Ana passed away.
Tony met his future wife Emma Gregorio at St. Alphonsus Church in West Fresno, and they got better acquainted at the festas (Portuguese Celebrations). After about a year of courtship, they married when they were both 23. Emma was 6 months older than Tony and he never let her forget it! Their first daughter Beverly Jean was born a year later, in 1933. Getting married and raising a family during the great depression was very difficult. This experience resulted in Tony and Emma being a frugal and hard working team. He was proud of saying that his first job after their marriage was working in a packing shed for a whole 50 cents a day! Their second daughter Shirley Ann was not born until 1941.
Tony knew he did not want to be a farmer, and after a short stint of working in his mother-in-law's dairy, he leased 40 acres that he farmed while he began a small business as a petroleum distributor to farmers in the area under the name El Tejon on his Ford delivery truck. Emma served as his bookkeeper and answering service. After many long hours and a lot of hard work, Tony had saved enough money to purchase 2 acres on Highway 41 (Elm Ave) about 20 miles south of Fresno. He moved a small home on the property and hired Mr. Iverson, a local carpenter, to enlarge it. This proved quite a task since it was during WWII and every thing was rationed. He actually traded gas ration stamps for lumber at one point. Tony and his father Antone did the finish work. As two "left handers", all of the doors handles turned backwards.
He moved his family to their new home in March of 1944. He then began the process of enlarging his petroleum business under the name of Miguel Oil Co. He built a bulk storage unit for his continued service to farmers but added a service station that he moved to his new address. Later, he added large storage tanks so he could supply the service station as well as a small fleet of tanker trucks to pick up fuel at the refineries and deliver to other service stations and larger providers. His business kept growing, which meant hiring people to help him; e.g., Cecil McCarley, Aubrey "Tex" Lumpkin, & Joe Leal. He added an ice house next to the service station to provide 25 & 50 lb. blocks to customers in the area . Of course, this meant he could haul ice, which he did in a refrigerated semi. For years, Tony was the provider of ice to Camp Curry and the Ahwanee Lodge in Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Encouraged by the refrigeration unit, he purchased another unit and 2 flat bed trucks and began hauling produce and other goods. The business then changed it's name to Miguel Trucking...not just hauling petroleum anymore! At the height of his small business empire, Tony owned 6 trucks, 2 service stations and, of all things, an oil well! Of course, it didn't ever hit oil...darn! All of this business flurry meant Emma wasn't the bookkeeper anymore, much to her disappointment. She enjoyed being a part of it all.
When Tony turned 64, he retired to Selma where he tried to figure out what to do with himself. He fished and they traveled a little in their Camper. Within a couple of years, Tony found that he had esophageal cancer. Despite radiation treatment, Tony succumbed to the cancer in 1977 at the age of 67.
Beverly's recollections of her father: I remember how hard he worked and what long hours he put in. Although he was not a very demonstrative father, I remember the happy times we had going to the coast as a family. I liked clamming and abalone hunting with him and my avo (grandfather) Antone Miguel. We also had good times going swimming at the Crown Plunge in Fresno; and we got to swim with my cousins and their Dad in Central canal. He instilled a good work ethic in me and gave me strength to meet life's obstacles.
Shirley's recollections of her father: I remember great trips to the beach where we crabbed, clammed and pried abalone from the rocks. Dad also took me deep sea fishing where we both would be sick as dogs! He worked long hours and was often gone, so I would beg to ride along on "a run", either to the gasoline refinery in Bakersfield or to deliver ice in Yosemite. I would sing goofy songs or tell stories to keep him awake. I'll never forget his support while I was trying to figure out my life. He would encourage me & tell me that I could do anything I wanted to. He instilled a sense of fairness, hard work & moral ethics. Most of all, I will miss the sparkle in his eye when he was kidding you or when he was acting naughty. I still miss him after 35 years; and I will miss him the rest of my life!
Written by his daughters, Shirley Ann Miguel Burton and Beverly Jean Miguel Rocha.
Hi Dad! I'm writing this addition to your memorial on what would be your 109th birthday 11/11/2018). I've missed you every day these last 41 years! You were full of bluster, but you could never fool me! You were a cream puff inside. LOL I changed your picture out for one with Mom Emma & all 5 of your grandchildren. Bev's 4 include Larry on the right, then Lynn & Jean on the Left. Grandpa is holding his youngest Mark. My one & only Simone is standing in front. Judging from the ages of the kiddos, I would say this is Xmas of 1962. I know that when it's my time to go to Heaven, we'll rejoice in seeing one another & find somewhere to explore. We always had great "Adventures" together. Much Love, your Daughter Shirley Miguel Burton
Tony was the oldest of 5 children, all born in the USA to Antone Freitas Miguel and Ana Pedro Armas. He was raised on a farm where his father grew crops and had a vineyard. After two years in High School, Tony finished his education through 4Cs School of Business; however, when his mother died when he was 17, he was unable to realize his dream of being a CPA and instead, helped his father with the ranch and his siblings. As the oldest child, a great deal of responsibility fell on his shoulders to help his Dad raise the younger ones. His brother Fred was 14, Cecilia was 13, George was 10 and the baby Fernando, was only 5 years old when Ana passed away.
Tony met his future wife Emma Gregorio at St. Alphonsus Church in West Fresno, and they got better acquainted at the festas (Portuguese Celebrations). After about a year of courtship, they married when they were both 23. Emma was 6 months older than Tony and he never let her forget it! Their first daughter Beverly Jean was born a year later, in 1933. Getting married and raising a family during the great depression was very difficult. This experience resulted in Tony and Emma being a frugal and hard working team. He was proud of saying that his first job after their marriage was working in a packing shed for a whole 50 cents a day! Their second daughter Shirley Ann was not born until 1941.
Tony knew he did not want to be a farmer, and after a short stint of working in his mother-in-law's dairy, he leased 40 acres that he farmed while he began a small business as a petroleum distributor to farmers in the area under the name El Tejon on his Ford delivery truck. Emma served as his bookkeeper and answering service. After many long hours and a lot of hard work, Tony had saved enough money to purchase 2 acres on Highway 41 (Elm Ave) about 20 miles south of Fresno. He moved a small home on the property and hired Mr. Iverson, a local carpenter, to enlarge it. This proved quite a task since it was during WWII and every thing was rationed. He actually traded gas ration stamps for lumber at one point. Tony and his father Antone did the finish work. As two "left handers", all of the doors handles turned backwards.
He moved his family to their new home in March of 1944. He then began the process of enlarging his petroleum business under the name of Miguel Oil Co. He built a bulk storage unit for his continued service to farmers but added a service station that he moved to his new address. Later, he added large storage tanks so he could supply the service station as well as a small fleet of tanker trucks to pick up fuel at the refineries and deliver to other service stations and larger providers. His business kept growing, which meant hiring people to help him; e.g., Cecil McCarley, Aubrey "Tex" Lumpkin, & Joe Leal. He added an ice house next to the service station to provide 25 & 50 lb. blocks to customers in the area . Of course, this meant he could haul ice, which he did in a refrigerated semi. For years, Tony was the provider of ice to Camp Curry and the Ahwanee Lodge in Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Encouraged by the refrigeration unit, he purchased another unit and 2 flat bed trucks and began hauling produce and other goods. The business then changed it's name to Miguel Trucking...not just hauling petroleum anymore! At the height of his small business empire, Tony owned 6 trucks, 2 service stations and, of all things, an oil well! Of course, it didn't ever hit oil...darn! All of this business flurry meant Emma wasn't the bookkeeper anymore, much to her disappointment. She enjoyed being a part of it all.
When Tony turned 64, he retired to Selma where he tried to figure out what to do with himself. He fished and they traveled a little in their Camper. Within a couple of years, Tony found that he had esophageal cancer. Despite radiation treatment, Tony succumbed to the cancer in 1977 at the age of 67.
Beverly's recollections of her father: I remember how hard he worked and what long hours he put in. Although he was not a very demonstrative father, I remember the happy times we had going to the coast as a family. I liked clamming and abalone hunting with him and my avo (grandfather) Antone Miguel. We also had good times going swimming at the Crown Plunge in Fresno; and we got to swim with my cousins and their Dad in Central canal. He instilled a good work ethic in me and gave me strength to meet life's obstacles.
Shirley's recollections of her father: I remember great trips to the beach where we crabbed, clammed and pried abalone from the rocks. Dad also took me deep sea fishing where we both would be sick as dogs! He worked long hours and was often gone, so I would beg to ride along on "a run", either to the gasoline refinery in Bakersfield or to deliver ice in Yosemite. I would sing goofy songs or tell stories to keep him awake. I'll never forget his support while I was trying to figure out my life. He would encourage me & tell me that I could do anything I wanted to. He instilled a sense of fairness, hard work & moral ethics. Most of all, I will miss the sparkle in his eye when he was kidding you or when he was acting naughty. I still miss him after 35 years; and I will miss him the rest of my life!
Written by his daughters, Shirley Ann Miguel Burton and Beverly Jean Miguel Rocha.
Hi Dad! I'm writing this addition to your memorial on what would be your 109th birthday 11/11/2018). I've missed you every day these last 41 years! You were full of bluster, but you could never fool me! You were a cream puff inside. LOL I changed your picture out for one with Mom Emma & all 5 of your grandchildren. Bev's 4 include Larry on the right, then Lynn & Jean on the Left. Grandpa is holding his youngest Mark. My one & only Simone is standing in front. Judging from the ages of the kiddos, I would say this is Xmas of 1962. I know that when it's my time to go to Heaven, we'll rejoice in seeing one another & find somewhere to explore. We always had great "Adventures" together. Much Love, your Daughter Shirley Miguel Burton
Tony's parents were immigrants to the US from the Azores Island of Flores. When he enrolled in West Park Elementary school, he only spoke Portuguese, which was an incredible hardship. He spent the first year learning to speak English and then was forced to do first grade again. His wife Emma Gregorio Miguel had a similar experience. Thus, they decided that only English would be spoken by their two daughters.
Tony was the oldest of 5 children, all born in the USA to Antone Freitas Miguel and Ana Pedro Armas. He was raised on a farm where his father grew crops and had a vineyard. After two years in High School, Tony finished his education through 4Cs School of Business; however, when his mother died when he was 17, he was unable to realize his dream of being a CPA and instead, helped his father with the ranch and his siblings. As the oldest child, a great deal of responsibility fell on his shoulders to help his Dad raise the younger ones. His brother Fred was 14, Cecilia was 13, George was 10 and the baby Fernando, was only 5 years old when Ana passed away.
Tony met his future wife Emma Gregorio at St. Alphonsus Church in West Fresno, and they got better acquainted at the festas (Portuguese Celebrations). After about a year of courtship, they married when they were both 23. Emma was 6 months older than Tony and he never let her forget it! Their first daughter Beverly Jean was born a year later, in 1933. Getting married and raising a family during the great depression was very difficult. This experience resulted in Tony and Emma being a frugal and hard working team. He was proud of saying that his first job after their marriage was working in a packing shed for a whole 50 cents a day! Their second daughter Shirley Ann was not born until 1941.
Tony knew he did not want to be a farmer, and after a short stint of working in his mother-in-law's dairy, he leased 40 acres that he farmed while he began a small business as a petroleum distributor to farmers in the area under the name El Tejon on his Ford delivery truck. Emma served as his bookkeeper and answering service. After many long hours and a lot of hard work, Tony had saved enough money to purchase 2 acres on Highway 41 (Elm Ave) about 20 miles south of Fresno. He moved a small home on the property and hired Mr. Iverson, a local carpenter, to enlarge it. This proved quite a task since it was during WWII and every thing was rationed. He actually traded gas ration stamps for lumber at one point. Tony and his father Antone did the finish work. As two "left handers", all of the doors handles turned backwards.
He moved his family to their new home in March of 1944. He then began the process of enlarging his petroleum business under the name of Miguel Oil Co. He built a bulk storage unit for his continued service to farmers but added a service station that he moved to his new address. Later, he added large storage tanks so he could supply the service station as well as a small fleet of tanker trucks to pick up fuel at the refineries and deliver to other service stations and larger providers. His business kept growing, which meant hiring people to help him; e.g., Cecil McCarley, Aubrey "Tex" Lumpkin, & Joe Leal. He added an ice house next to the service station to provide 25 & 50 lb. blocks to customers in the area . Of course, this meant he could haul ice, which he did in a refrigerated semi. For years, Tony was the provider of ice to Camp Curry and the Ahwanee Lodge in Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Encouraged by the refrigeration unit, he purchased another unit and 2 flat bed trucks and began hauling produce and other goods. The business then changed it's name to Miguel Trucking...not just hauling petroleum anymore! At the height of his small business empire, Tony owned 6 trucks, 2 service stations and, of all things, an oil well! Of course, it didn't ever hit oil...darn! All of this business flurry meant Emma wasn't the bookkeeper anymore, much to her disappointment. She enjoyed being a part of it all.
When Tony turned 64, he retired to Selma where he tried to figure out what to do with himself. He fished and they traveled a little in their Camper. Within a couple of years, Tony found that he had esophageal cancer. Despite radiation treatment, Tony succumbed to the cancer in 1977 at the age of 67.
Beverly's recollections of her father: I remember how hard he worked and what long hours he put in. Although he was not a very demonstrative father, I remember the happy times we had going to the coast as a family. I liked clamming and abalone hunting with him and my avo (grandfather) Antone Miguel. We also had good times going swimming at the Crown Plunge in Fresno; and we got to swim with my cousins and their Dad in Central canal. He instilled a good work ethic in me and gave me strength to meet life's obstacles.
Shirley's recollections of her father: I remember great trips to the beach where we crabbed, clammed and pried abalone from the rocks. Dad also took me deep sea fishing where we both would be sick as dogs! He worked long hours and was often gone, so I would beg to ride along on "a run", either to the gasoline refinery in Bakersfield or to deliver ice in Yosemite. I would sing goofy songs or tell stories to keep him awake. I'll never forget his support while I was trying to figure out my life. He would encourage me & tell me that I could do anything I wanted to. He instilled a sense of fairness, hard work & moral ethics. Most of all, I will miss the sparkle in his eye when he was kidding you or when he was acting naughty. I still miss him after 35 years; and I will miss him the rest of my life!
Written by his daughters, Shirley Ann Miguel Burton and Beverly Jean Miguel Rocha.
Hi Dad! I'm writing this addition to your memorial on what would be your 109th birthday 11/11/2018). I've missed you every day these last 41 years! You were full of bluster, but you could never fool me! You were a cream puff inside. LOL I changed your picture out for one with Mom Emma & all 5 of your grandchildren. Bev's 4 include Larry on the right, then Lynn & Jean on the Left. Grandpa is holding his youngest Mark. My one & only Simone is standing in front. Judging from the ages of the kiddos, I would say this is Xmas of 1962. I know that when it's my time to go to Heaven, we'll rejoice in seeing one another & find somewhere to explore. We always had great "Adventures" together. Much Love, your Daughter Shirley Miguel Burton
Tony was the oldest of 5 children, all born in the USA to Antone Freitas Miguel and Ana Pedro Armas. He was raised on a farm where his father grew crops and had a vineyard. After two years in High School, Tony finished his education through 4Cs School of Business; however, when his mother died when he was 17, he was unable to realize his dream of being a CPA and instead, helped his father with the ranch and his siblings. As the oldest child, a great deal of responsibility fell on his shoulders to help his Dad raise the younger ones. His brother Fred was 14, Cecilia was 13, George was 10 and the baby Fernando, was only 5 years old when Ana passed away.
Tony met his future wife Emma Gregorio at St. Alphonsus Church in West Fresno, and they got better acquainted at the festas (Portuguese Celebrations). After about a year of courtship, they married when they were both 23. Emma was 6 months older than Tony and he never let her forget it! Their first daughter Beverly Jean was born a year later, in 1933. Getting married and raising a family during the great depression was very difficult. This experience resulted in Tony and Emma being a frugal and hard working team. He was proud of saying that his first job after their marriage was working in a packing shed for a whole 50 cents a day! Their second daughter Shirley Ann was not born until 1941.
Tony knew he did not want to be a farmer, and after a short stint of working in his mother-in-law's dairy, he leased 40 acres that he farmed while he began a small business as a petroleum distributor to farmers in the area under the name El Tejon on his Ford delivery truck. Emma served as his bookkeeper and answering service. After many long hours and a lot of hard work, Tony had saved enough money to purchase 2 acres on Highway 41 (Elm Ave) about 20 miles south of Fresno. He moved a small home on the property and hired Mr. Iverson, a local carpenter, to enlarge it. This proved quite a task since it was during WWII and every thing was rationed. He actually traded gas ration stamps for lumber at one point. Tony and his father Antone did the finish work. As two "left handers", all of the doors handles turned backwards.
He moved his family to their new home in March of 1944. He then began the process of enlarging his petroleum business under the name of Miguel Oil Co. He built a bulk storage unit for his continued service to farmers but added a service station that he moved to his new address. Later, he added large storage tanks so he could supply the service station as well as a small fleet of tanker trucks to pick up fuel at the refineries and deliver to other service stations and larger providers. His business kept growing, which meant hiring people to help him; e.g., Cecil McCarley, Aubrey "Tex" Lumpkin, & Joe Leal. He added an ice house next to the service station to provide 25 & 50 lb. blocks to customers in the area . Of course, this meant he could haul ice, which he did in a refrigerated semi. For years, Tony was the provider of ice to Camp Curry and the Ahwanee Lodge in Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Encouraged by the refrigeration unit, he purchased another unit and 2 flat bed trucks and began hauling produce and other goods. The business then changed it's name to Miguel Trucking...not just hauling petroleum anymore! At the height of his small business empire, Tony owned 6 trucks, 2 service stations and, of all things, an oil well! Of course, it didn't ever hit oil...darn! All of this business flurry meant Emma wasn't the bookkeeper anymore, much to her disappointment. She enjoyed being a part of it all.
When Tony turned 64, he retired to Selma where he tried to figure out what to do with himself. He fished and they traveled a little in their Camper. Within a couple of years, Tony found that he had esophageal cancer. Despite radiation treatment, Tony succumbed to the cancer in 1977 at the age of 67.
Beverly's recollections of her father: I remember how hard he worked and what long hours he put in. Although he was not a very demonstrative father, I remember the happy times we had going to the coast as a family. I liked clamming and abalone hunting with him and my avo (grandfather) Antone Miguel. We also had good times going swimming at the Crown Plunge in Fresno; and we got to swim with my cousins and their Dad in Central canal. He instilled a good work ethic in me and gave me strength to meet life's obstacles.
Shirley's recollections of her father: I remember great trips to the beach where we crabbed, clammed and pried abalone from the rocks. Dad also took me deep sea fishing where we both would be sick as dogs! He worked long hours and was often gone, so I would beg to ride along on "a run", either to the gasoline refinery in Bakersfield or to deliver ice in Yosemite. I would sing goofy songs or tell stories to keep him awake. I'll never forget his support while I was trying to figure out my life. He would encourage me & tell me that I could do anything I wanted to. He instilled a sense of fairness, hard work & moral ethics. Most of all, I will miss the sparkle in his eye when he was kidding you or when he was acting naughty. I still miss him after 35 years; and I will miss him the rest of my life!
Written by his daughters, Shirley Ann Miguel Burton and Beverly Jean Miguel Rocha.
Hi Dad! I'm writing this addition to your memorial on what would be your 109th birthday 11/11/2018). I've missed you every day these last 41 years! You were full of bluster, but you could never fool me! You were a cream puff inside. LOL I changed your picture out for one with Mom Emma & all 5 of your grandchildren. Bev's 4 include Larry on the right, then Lynn & Jean on the Left. Grandpa is holding his youngest Mark. My one & only Simone is standing in front. Judging from the ages of the kiddos, I would say this is Xmas of 1962. I know that when it's my time to go to Heaven, we'll rejoice in seeing one another & find somewhere to explore. We always had great "Adventures" together. Much Love, your Daughter Shirley Miguel Burton
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Beloved Husband and Father
