Blasy "Bill" Carl Yanito

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our father, Blasy “Bill” Carl Yanito, who died peacefully on October 7, 2026, at the age of 92, surrounded by his family. We take comfort in our faith and in knowing that he is now home in heaven, surrounded by God and reunited with many loved ones who have gone before him. He will be deeply missed, but his memory and the love he shared will remain with us always.

He was born on September 30, 1934, in Maple Heights, Ohio, to Biagio (Blasy) and Filippa Yanito, whose family owned a grocery store. When he was a teenager, the family moved to California. He graduated from Montebello High School and attended California State University, Long Beach, where he played basketball, served as secretary of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, started the Chipmunks Car Club in Arrowhead, and studied to become a teacher.

He served our country in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1963. Stationed at the field hospital at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he worked as a clerk-typist. He received the Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged.

He had a long career in the grocery business, beginning as a manager at Vons, where he met Paula, his wife of 54 years. He also worked as a manager for Albertsons and retired from the Retail Clerks Union. They made their home in Orange County, California, where they raised their daughters, Tami and Lori. He coached their sports teams and attended every game. The family later moved to Northern California, where he built Square Deal Market in Grass Valley. He eventually retired in Riverside County, but his retirement “hobby” was working as a sales representative in grocery stores.

Throughout his work and personal life, he was known as a stand-up man, admired for his strength, extraordinary patience, dedication, and love of family. He had a quiet, steady, and loving presence in the lives of those around him. He was a simple man who never wanted anything for himself-he only wanted to make his family happy. He never complained or spoke poorly of anyone, and our family affectionately called him ‘St. Bill’. He greeted everyone he met with a smile, loved playing cards, and was never afraid to join us on the dance floor.

Family was always first and foremost to him. He was a devoted and proud father to his daughters, Tami and Lori, and a loving father-in-law to Daryl Florgan, Lori’s husband, and Robert Andrade, Tami’s husband. He was also a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren-Zane, Cade, Ryland, Archer, Macy, Trenton, and Camilla, and a loving great-grandfather to Bennett. He treasured attending their sporting events and extracurricular activities and celebrating birthdays and special occasions together throughout their lives.

He is survived by his wife Paula, identical twin brother, Don Yanito, and his wife, Cathie, and their children, Donnie and David. He was preceded in passing by his sister, Mary McAllister,

brother-in-law Jim McAllister, brother Sam Yanito and sister-in-law Flo Yanito, as well as his mother and father-in-law, Rosemary and Richard Rocha Sr.

A funeral Mass will be held on October 21 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, 34750 Whisper Heights Parkway, Winchester, CA 92596. A short reception will follow immediately after the Mass in the church hall.

Burial will be held at 1:15 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery at 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in his honor to be made to the Knights of Columbus at St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church.