Ben & Mary Agrifoglio Award

Ben Agrifoglio, first generation Italian, eldest of five children, was born and raised in Rochester, New York until the age of 16 when he moved to Fresno. He graduated from Edison High School. Ben is a veteran of the 303rd Hells Angels Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force with thirty lead missions over Germany during World War II. Ben was a farmer in the Reedley area for 46 years. He is past president of the Reedley Lions Club, and served as vice chairman of the Alta Irrigation District Board of Directors; safety chairman of Fresno County Farm Bureau; Farmers Home Administration Committeeman; Fresno County A.S.C. Committee Chairman; and served as a member on the Fresno County Civil Service Commission. Ben enjoys being of service to people and was dedicated to the various organizations he served and offices he held.

Mary Agrifoglio, first generation Italian, one of three children was born and raised in Rochester, New York, graduated from high school in Rochester, and attended the Rochester Business Institute. Mary came to San Jose, California in 1964, moved to Reedley in 1966 after marrying Ben and attended Reedley College. Mary is a retired employee of Reedley College where she worked for 23 years.

Mary and Ben have one son and one grandchild. Mary and Ben believe young people are the largest assets to our future and feel they are making a contribution by helping a student with his/her education.