Los Banos firefighting veteran dies at 69 – remembered for his community service

Anthony Wayne Pricolo, a 33-year veteran of the Los Banos Fire Department, died Tuesday from cancer at Memorial Hospital in Los Banos.

Pricolo, 69, was a retired fire captain and served as a volunteer firefighter until his passing. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Rosemary Lewis, two sons and four grandchildren.

He started his career in the department as a volunteer in 1982 and was hired as a full-time firefighter in 1990. Over the years, he was promoted through the ranks and retired in 2009.

He is described by those who knew him best as a man dedicated to his family, career and community.

Tim Marrison, Los Banos fire chief, worked with Pricolo for about 30 years. He said Pricolo enjoyed his job and always went above and beyond to help as many people as he could. “He loved providing protection services,” Marrison said. “Not only in Los Banos but wherever (in the state) he was needed.

“The fact that he came back to volunteer after retirement, that says a lot about him,” Marrison said.

Pricolo was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer about a month ago. The Los Banos Fire Department organized a community blood drive for the Central California Blood Center, which provided units for Pricolo during his hospital stay.

Community benefits, such as blood drives, are the type of events that made Pricolo proud, his colleagues and friends said.

“He was always at charity events, and always cooking at the events, too,” said Chet Guintini, former Los Banos fire chief and Pricolo’s longtime friend. “Wayne was really a community service-oriented person.”

Guintini, who also went on fishing trips with Pricolo over the past 20 years, said he will miss Pricolo’s friendship and sense of humor.

“He was funny, and he never had any bad days, or at least you couldn’t tell because he always came to work happy,” Guintini said. “We would joke that this really was Wayne’s world.”

Born and raised in Los Banos, Pricolo graduated from Los Banos High School in 1964.

According to the Los Banos Fire Department, Pricolo also worked for the Los Banos Dairymen’s Association for 18 years, as well as Standard Oil for a couple of years after he served in the National Guard from 1964 to 1971.

Pricolo was a member of various community organizations, including the Italian Catholic Federation, Knights of Columbus and Native Sons. According to his friends, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his grandchildren.

Funeral services are planned for next week. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel, 1840 Center Ave., Los Banos.

Rosary and funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1621 Center Ave., Los Banos. Burial will be at Los Banos Cemetery District.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 3:07 PM with the headline "Los Banos firefighting veteran dies at 69 – remembered for his community service."