George William Ramsey
George was born in Arkansas on March 21, 1935. During the Great Depression along with hundreds of thousands of others George’s family moved to California. George’s family settled in Walnut Creek where he went to grade school and high school. George came from a modest background. In spite of being quite smart he did not aspire to go to college. After graduating from Acalanes High school in 1954 he entered the Navy. He spent most of the time in Korea on aerial reconnaissance.
Shortly after returning from Korea he met and married Virginia Poletti in 1959. They had two sons Greg and Steve Ramsey.
George loved fireworks. When he returned from Korea he loved helping on the San Francisco Fourth of July celebration. One year one of the great rockets he loaded into the fireworks canon exploded prematurely and George lost several fingers. This did not discourage him from his love of the fireworks displays.
George went to work for the Milan Salami Company of San Francisco. It was owned by Virginia’s family. He traveled the Western states finding more markets for the company’s products. Over time George rose to become the President of the company and maintained that position for the past thirty years. He would get up each morning early so he could be to work in San Francisco at 5:00am. He was very proud when he could take on the really big salami companies and beat them in taste and quality at a very competitive price.
Virginia passed away on her birthday February 13, 2004.
George passed away on April 6 2012.
He is survived by his son Greg and Lucy Ramsey, his son Steve and Shannon Ramsey and five grandchildren Bart, Jason, Wendee, Jeremy, Brandon and numerous other relatives
(Composed by Richard Munn)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Warren Sommers
Warren DeMilton Sommers
Warren DeMilton Sommers was born in Martinez, California on May 22, 1935. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a short illness on February 12, 2012. Warren was a lifelong Bay Area native. He was raised in Walnut Creek by his loving parents Cloyse and Georgie Sommers. At the age of 13 Warren started spending his summers at Lake Almanor. He quickly developed a lifelong love affair with the lake. He enjoyed spending time there at the family cabin with his family and friends. He graduated from San Francisco City College. His career was active and diverse. He was a Merchant Marine for Matson Navigation sailing back and forth between San Francisco and Hawaii while acting as a beverage auditor. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves. For brief periods he worked at Trader Vic’s restaurant and in construction. In 1966 Warren took a temporary job with the Piedmont Fire Department. Then some 26 years, 1 month and 10 days later he retired as a Lieutenant with the Piedmont Fire Department. Warren was responsible for many heroic acts during this time. He was especially proud of his role during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and the Oakland hills fire in 1991. In 1972 met his loving partner and wife Merry. They were married in April 1973. They raised two wonderful and loving children Chris and Kari. Warren’s spare time was often spent working oak wood into various pieces of furniture. He also loved reading, gardening and fishing. He loved his single malt scotch at home or at the Elk Lodge. Best of all Warren loved being with his two grandsons.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Leroy and David. He is survived by his wife Merry, son Chris and daughter-in –law Jacqueline, daughter Kari and son-in-law Chris, brother Charley and grandchildren Zachary and Jackson.
Warren DeMilton Sommers was born in Martinez, California on May 22, 1935. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a short illness on February 12, 2012. Warren was a lifelong Bay Area native. He was raised in Walnut Creek by his loving parents Cloyse and Georgie Sommers. At the age of 13 Warren started spending his summers at Lake Almanor. He quickly developed a lifelong love affair with the lake. He enjoyed spending time there at the family cabin with his family and friends. He graduated from San Francisco City College. His career was active and diverse. He was a Merchant Marine for Matson Navigation sailing back and forth between San Francisco and Hawaii while acting as a beverage auditor. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves. For brief periods he worked at Trader Vic’s restaurant and in construction. In 1966 Warren took a temporary job with the Piedmont Fire Department. Then some 26 years, 1 month and 10 days later he retired as a Lieutenant with the Piedmont Fire Department. Warren was responsible for many heroic acts during this time. He was especially proud of his role during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and the Oakland hills fire in 1991. In 1972 met his loving partner and wife Merry. They were married in April 1973. They raised two wonderful and loving children Chris and Kari. Warren’s spare time was often spent working oak wood into various pieces of furniture. He also loved reading, gardening and fishing. He loved his single malt scotch at home or at the Elk Lodge. Best of all Warren loved being with his two grandsons.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Leroy and David. He is survived by his wife Merry, son Chris and daughter-in –law Jacqueline, daughter Kari and son-in-law Chris, brother Charley and grandchildren Zachary and Jackson.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Patricia Leddy Moal
Patricia Aileen Moal Resident of Brentwood Passed away on Monday, December 26, 2011 in the presence of her loving family. Patricia (Pat) was born 1936 in Saint Cloud Minnesota to Floyd and Aileen Leddy and migrated to California while a young teenager. She is survived by her 3 children; Patrick (Cissy), Karen (Tom) and Mikael as well as 7 grandchildren. Pat married Donald Jones in 1955 and had her three children with him. Pat later married Rene Moal in 1986. Rene passed away in 1998. Pat worked as an administrative assistant for a variety of organizations including, Murray School District, City of Orinda, Safeway and Liquor Barn. Pat was happiest enjoying the company of family and friends. She had many friends throughout her life and always left her spirit with them. When Pat was diagnosed with cancer, she faced it with incredible dignity. Patricia's positive outlook enabled her to overcome many obstacles and live life to the fullest. Her passion was for her family and socializing with the many cherished friends she gathered throughout her life. Friends and family are invited to a service in the celebration of Pat's life on Saturday, December 31 at Brentwood Funeral Home, 839 First Street, Brentwood, CA at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at Pat's home. Pat wished to quote Dear Abby in her obituary. "If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all my prejudice against my fellow man. "Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever." Donations to NPR, Byron Kaleidoscope Organization, Hospice of the East Bay or a favorite charity are requested in lieu of flowers. Please visit patmoal.website-wishes.com for more information or to share your stories.
Published in Contra Costa Times on Decembe
Published in Contra Costa Times on Decembe
Monday, June 20, 2011
Paul Cianfichi Obituary
Paul D. Cianfichi Oct. 28, 1936-June 14, 2011 Resident of Walnut Creek Paul passed away suddenly on Tuesday night, June 14. He graduated from Acalanes High School and UC Berkeley. Paul practiced architecture for many years and designed buildings on many college campuses in the area. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Wanda; his son, Steven, and daughter-in-law Lori; his son, Philip, and daughter-in-law, Lisa; and three much loved grandchildren. He will be missed by many family members and friends. Visitation will be held at Hull's Chapel in Walnut Creek on Monday, June 20 from 3-5 PM and funeral on Tuesday, June 21 at 10:30 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Walnut Creek. Burial at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery following the funera
Monday, March 28, 2011
George Fortado's Obituary
George Allan Fortado Resident of Lakeport On September 25, 1935 George entered into this world, and on March 20, 2011, due to congestive heart failure complicated with pneumonia, this beautiful man peacefully left us. Born in Concord, CA, George was the only son of Eudora Lucille Finks of Maxwell, CA and George Anthony Fortado of Concord, CA. His amazingly colorful life contributed to his pleasant and affable demeanor, endearing him to friends, family and acquaintances galore. His loving family who mourn his passing include his adoring wife, Kathleen, his three sons with former wife Gloria Zilke Doherty, George Alan Fortado Doherty of Clearlake, Christopher Scott Fortado Doherty (deceased), and Randy (Pat) Fortado Doherty of Provo, UT, son with deceased wife, Cherron Randall Fortado; George Anthony Fortado of Kelseyville, and daughter of Cherron; Shelly Roderick of Sacramento, CA, and son and daughter of Kathleen, Melanie (John) Casey of Kilkee, Ireland and Stephen (Marybeth) Daly of Washingtonville, NY. Grandsons, Dylan Von Lahr of Santa Rosa and Michael Doherty of Provo, UT. Extended grandchildren, John and Joseph Feeney of CA, McKenna and Kimber Moreland of CP, Christopher, Allyson and Bryan Daly of NY, and Dylan Casey of Ireland. Brothers, Gene (deceased) and Jim Fowler of Umpqua, WA, sisters-in-law, Diana and Pat Fowler and many Fortado and Finks cousins throughout California. George's memorable adventures, exploits and achievements, accomplished on his own during his lifetime will be remembered by his loved ones and friends at a Celebration of his Life Memorial to be held at 1:00pm, Sunday, April 10, 2011 at the Lakeport Elks Lodge 2704 at 3775 Lakeshore Blvd., Lakeport. All family and friends alike are invited to partake in a tribute to this understated kind and loving, one-of-a-kind self made man who left us all too soon. Besides being Contra Costa All Star from Accalanes High School, George was the first Motorcycle Police Officer in Walnut Creek. He was in the Naval Reserve, a member of the Native Sons of California, the Lakeport Yacht Club, the No Name Car Club and the Lakeport Elks Lodge #2704. He will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary (707)263-0357 / (707)994-5611 www.chapelofthelakes.com Published in Contra Costa Times on March 27, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Dennis Midzor Obituary
Dennis Midzor
Dennis Truman Midzor's passions in life were family, friends and the outdoors. While pursing those passions to the fullest, he was killed suddenly on Saturday October 23, 2010 from a horseback riding accident while elk hunting in the Colorado La Garita Mountains. Dennis was born in Honeyville, Utah on April 10th, 1935. He is survived by his mother Wilma Hart, Sister Stephanie Raymond, son Steve Midzor, daughter Melissa Midzor and his grandchildren Haley, Marcus, and Megan. Dennis was preceded in death by his father Steven Christopher Midzor and his wife Clara, devoted partner of 44 years. Dennis met his future wife in 1956 while recuperating at Wadsworth VA hospital in Los Angeles, California. The couple married in 1961 and after moving from Los Angeles to Omaha and back, became a long time residents of Colorado Springs moving here in 1973. Dennis worked as a well respected engineering manager and program manager for several aerospace firms in the area including System Development Corporation, Ford Aerospace, Loral, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Dennis was rock solid, gracious, open-minded, and mentor in the truest sense of the word to countless people in his life; he was thoroughly devoted to his friends, keeping in touch with people he embraced several decades earlier, never thinking twice to open his home up or to lend a helping hand. After retirement Dennis and Clara became world travelers, having visited many countries in Europe, the Middle East, China, Australia, and New Zealand. A competitor, Dennis was fond of his once-a-month poker game with several of his closest friends; he played every hand to win which he did more often than not. Dennis loved the Colorado Mountains; a horseman for 35+ years, he proffered that riding a horse was the best way to partake of the mountain experience. Dennis was family oriented above all, and would watch many of Haley and Marcus's sporting exploits, get together with his local family and constantly travelled around the United States especially to spend time with Melissa and Wilma in California. Please join us at 2pm on Monday, November 1st, at the Sunrise United Methodist Church Services to celebrate the life of this great man.
Published in The Gazette on October 27, 2010
Dennis Truman Midzor's passions in life were family, friends and the outdoors. While pursing those passions to the fullest, he was killed suddenly on Saturday October 23, 2010 from a horseback riding accident while elk hunting in the Colorado La Garita Mountains. Dennis was born in Honeyville, Utah on April 10th, 1935. He is survived by his mother Wilma Hart, Sister Stephanie Raymond, son Steve Midzor, daughter Melissa Midzor and his grandchildren Haley, Marcus, and Megan. Dennis was preceded in death by his father Steven Christopher Midzor and his wife Clara, devoted partner of 44 years. Dennis met his future wife in 1956 while recuperating at Wadsworth VA hospital in Los Angeles, California. The couple married in 1961 and after moving from Los Angeles to Omaha and back, became a long time residents of Colorado Springs moving here in 1973. Dennis worked as a well respected engineering manager and program manager for several aerospace firms in the area including System Development Corporation, Ford Aerospace, Loral, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Dennis was rock solid, gracious, open-minded, and mentor in the truest sense of the word to countless people in his life; he was thoroughly devoted to his friends, keeping in touch with people he embraced several decades earlier, never thinking twice to open his home up or to lend a helping hand. After retirement Dennis and Clara became world travelers, having visited many countries in Europe, the Middle East, China, Australia, and New Zealand. A competitor, Dennis was fond of his once-a-month poker game with several of his closest friends; he played every hand to win which he did more often than not. Dennis loved the Colorado Mountains; a horseman for 35+ years, he proffered that riding a horse was the best way to partake of the mountain experience. Dennis was family oriented above all, and would watch many of Haley and Marcus's sporting exploits, get together with his local family and constantly travelled around the United States especially to spend time with Melissa and Wilma in California. Please join us at 2pm on Monday, November 1st, at the Sunrise United Methodist Church Services to celebrate the life of this great man.
Published in The Gazette on October 27, 2010
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