ANTHONY J. BETTENCOURT

Anthony J. Bettencourt born Oct. 12, 1937; died Mar. 20, 2021. He was born near Oroville in the home of his parents: Mary and Antone Bettencourt.

He attended Central House School, a one room country schoolhouse up to the 8th grade. He attended Notre Dame School in Marysville for his 8th grade year.

He graduated from Gridley High School in 1955.

Anthony married Margaret Gray on June 27, 1959. During their 61 years of marriage, they had 12 children: Teresa, Suzanne, Tom, Ann, Yvonne, Loretta, Barbara, Paul, David, Chuck, Matt, and Jim. (No twins) Anthony was known for winning 9 hand milking contests at the Glenn County Fair as well as being runner up in the "World Hand Milking Contest" at the Cow Palace in the 1970’s. He was a long time dairyman in the Orland area. He collected cows for the National Farmers Organization. He belonged to the Capay Grange and held the title of Master for several years. He was also a lifetime member of the Northern California Holstein Breeders Association.

Anthony and his wife Margaret are also long time members of Orland’s St. Dominic’s Parish. Anthony held a lifetime membership in the Knights of Columbus. Margaret and Anthony and the entire family always attended and participated in the Portuguese Holy Ghost Festivals. He also belonged to the Orland Moose Lodge. Anthony is predeceased by parents: Antone and Mary Bettencourt, sister Jean Alvernaz and brother-in-law Rod Alvernaz.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, 12 children, 25 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

There will be a viewing at the Sweet-Olsen Mortuary in Orland on Thursday, March 25 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Catholic Funeral Service Mass will be held at St. Dominic’s Church in Orland at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 26. Internment at Orland Catholic cemetery directly following the Mass.