Albert George Hook, 81 of Soledad Mission District passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at his home. While Albert was his name, everyone called him "Abie".

He was born February 22, 1932 in Gonzales, Calif. Then his parents moved the family to Soledad and bought a ranch in the Soledad Mission District and raised cattle. He attended grade school in the Soledad Mission District and graduated from Gonzales High School where he participated in football and baseball.

Albert married Mary Jo Duncan in 1954. This year they would have completed 60 years of marriage. Abie served in the US Army. He served his country during the Korean War.

Abie started at a young age along with his siblings to help their father and mother with the daily chores on the ranch. However, as he got older, his passion was into farming. Abie was a row crop farmer until 1972 and then went on to be the vineyard manager for Greenfield Vineyards for over 30 years before he retired in 2002. Abie was a member of the Soledad Rotary Club where he was a past president. He was also a former board member of the Mission School District. He was an avid bowler and bowled in the Men's League and Mixed League for years. He played softball in the local city leagues until the age of 60. In his younger years Abie loved to team rope and take his daughters to Gymkhanas. He loved fishing and hunting. He was an avid S.F. Giants and S.F. 49ers fan. He enjoyed watching old westerns on the television. He loved gathering with his family, watching the grandkids play sports and telling his childhood stories. He also loved meeting with his friends on Friday nights for dinner in Soledad. He and his wife Mary Jo have been meeting with their friends for over 30 years for dinner.

Abie is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Hook; children, John Hook; of the Soledad Mission District; daughters, Suzie Gonzalez (Mike) of Soledad Mission District, Lee Walbeck (Mike) of Thousand Oaks; grandchildren, Mallory DeMars (Jason) of Walnut Creek, Matthew and Samantha Hook of Salinas, Thomas Gonzalez (Tamara) of Soledad, Brittnee Gonzalez of San Diego, Michaella, Lauren and John Walbeck of Thousand Oaks; great grandchild, Anthony Azevedo; brother, Dennis Hook of Salinas; sisters, Mary Jansen of Soledad and Florence Soares of the Soledad Mission District and Josephine Pedevilla of Gonzales, brother-in-laws, Clarence Roth of Soledad Mission District, Charles Duncan (Nancy) of Soledad and sister-in-law Vera Snowden (Everett) of Greenfield.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Madge Hook; brothers Frank T. Hook, half-brothers Wilbur McKinsey and Ervin Franscioni; sister Gail Roth, and half-sister Wilma Franscioni.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

Per his request services will not be held at this time. However, family and friends are asked to join us as we Celebrate Abie's Life from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2014 in the Pavilion Building of the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St., King City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Soledad Historical Society, P.O. Box 593, Soledad, CA 93960.