Talk:Vasona Lake County Park

My Great Uncle Joe had a dairy farm in Vasona Park

<< BACK TO HISTORY & EVENTS The Alvernaz Family and Vasona Lake Park Dairy Farming Through the Great Depression José Alvernaz started Sun Ray Dairy in Los Gatos in 1933 and was a well-respected member of his community. Years: 1903 — 1993 José Pereira Alvernaz, who was born in 1903, on Faial Island, Azores, arrived in Providence, Rhode Island in 1916 at age 13. After a week with relatives, he set out for California. After working at various jobs, including working at the University of Santa Clara, he was able to buy a dairy in 1933 that became known as Sun Ray Dairy in Los Gatos. The dairy was located in what is now Vasona Lake Park, which includes a man-made lake. The house in which José lived was located on the hill near what is now Hwy 17. The house has been torn down to make way for a new visitors’ center.

Sun Ray Dairy was very successful and grew. José sold his milk, and those who did not have much money were allowed to pay him by bartering with eggs, vegetables, meat, or other products. He took very good care of his customers during those difficult years. One of his customers was Sarah Winchester.

When the stock market crashed and the banks were forced to close, José was doing well -- having $1,000 in the bank and money coming in daily. He was well-respected by the community for providing a great dairy for the town's residents. José was naturalized as an American citizen in 1930.

José was also a member of: The Lions Club, the Luso-American Fraternal Federation (Past President), and he attended Five Wounds Portuguese National Church. He assisted in the building of the church by delivering supplies, and his uncles helped by volunteering their labor. He was also a leading member of the Santa Clara Dairymen's Association. He was the first to purchase a pasteurizing machine for his dairy in Los Gatos. MushroomQueen408 (talk) 01:53, 9 January 2022 (UTC)