Allen Lee "Al" Rollins, 85, passed away on Monday, Aug. 25 at his home in Modesto surrounded by his family.
Born on July 2, 1923, he was a lifelong resident of Escalon until he moved "across the bridge" to Modesto in 1978 with his wife Elvera. He graduated Escalon High School and joined the Navy in March of 1943. Mr. Rollins went into the Pilot Training program and graduated as an Ensign and got his wings at the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christie, Texas.
In 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Elvera (Solari) in the Chapel on the base. He was sent out on the aircraft carrier "Boxer" for the shakedown cruise to Puerto Rico and Cuba and then on through the Panama Canal and the final destination Japan.
He stayed in the Naval reserves training at Alameda for several years. After the war, he went into almond and peach ranching with his father and later his son. He was an inveterate golfer and spent Wednesdays and Saturdays playing his favorite game. After 55 years of ranching he retired in 2000.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Elvera; daughters, Renee Lee Rollins of Modesto and Carol Ann Trentacosta (Andrew) of Rancho Mirage; four granddaughters, Danielle Foster (Dan) of Santa Rosa, Erin Haverty of Hayward, Rebecca Rollins of Reno, NV and Andrea Trentacosta of La Quinta; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son Allen Rollins, Jr., mother and father, Evelyn and Harvey Rollins and his brother, Harvey Rollins, Jr.
Private family graveside services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Optimal Hospice, 122 West Granger Ave., Modesto, CA 95350 or to the American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94010.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Sept. 3, 2008
Born on July 2, 1923, he was a lifelong resident of Escalon until he moved "across the bridge" to Modesto in 1978 with his wife Elvera. He graduated Escalon High School and joined the Navy in March of 1943. Mr. Rollins went into the Pilot Training program and graduated as an Ensign and got his wings at the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christie, Texas.
In 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Elvera (Solari) in the Chapel on the base. He was sent out on the aircraft carrier "Boxer" for the shakedown cruise to Puerto Rico and Cuba and then on through the Panama Canal and the final destination Japan.
He stayed in the Naval reserves training at Alameda for several years. After the war, he went into almond and peach ranching with his father and later his son. He was an inveterate golfer and spent Wednesdays and Saturdays playing his favorite game. After 55 years of ranching he retired in 2000.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Elvera; daughters, Renee Lee Rollins of Modesto and Carol Ann Trentacosta (Andrew) of Rancho Mirage; four granddaughters, Danielle Foster (Dan) of Santa Rosa, Erin Haverty of Hayward, Rebecca Rollins of Reno, NV and Andrea Trentacosta of La Quinta; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son Allen Rollins, Jr., mother and father, Evelyn and Harvey Rollins and his brother, Harvey Rollins, Jr.
Private family graveside services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Optimal Hospice, 122 West Granger Ave., Modesto, CA 95350 or to the American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94010.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Sept. 3, 2008
