School was finally out for the day. It was 1959 and Stell Manfredi had only a few more days until he graduated from St. Joachim’s Catholic Grammar School. As with almost every school day he strolled slowly eastward toward F Street (now Gateway Drive) to his dad’s (Stelio’s) and mom’s (Eva’s) restaurant, The Towne House. As he walked in the near 100-degree day he stopped at the corner of Fourth and G streets to look at a dilapidated school house that long ago had seen its last students.
Four years later, after doing homework in the back room of the restaurant after school, Stell would graduate from Madera High where he played football and wrestled, winning 101 matches out of 110.
The future administrative officer had a long way to go before taking the reins of Madera County. He graduated from Fresno City College in 1965 and three years later from Fresno State with a degree in business administration and a minor in economics. Still later he did post-graduate studies in public administration.
With the Vietnam War in full battle mode, Stell joined the United States Naval Reserve and was stationed in Da Nang, South Vietnam in 1969-70. After serving his country he returned to his hometown where a few years later he would serve his own community...