March 26, 1940–September 3, 2012

Robert Ralph Ventura.

Robert Ralph Ventura, 72, born on March 26, 1940, inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania, passed away Sept. 3, 2012. He resided inToluca Lake,California, at the time of his passing. Robert is survived by his brother, LouisVentura, and sister, Lois Ventura Martino, both ofPhiladelphia.

Robert was a graduate ofSaint JosephUniversity. He was in Health and Life Insurance for more than 35 years.

Robert was active in numerous community and civic organizations, including North Hollywood Police Activities League (PALS Past President), Holy Cross Medical Center (Past Century Club Board Member), Pacific Hospital of Long Beach Foundation (Past Member of the Board), Optimist Boys Home (Charter Member), Baseballers Against Drugs (BAD), Republic of Georgia Foundation (Past Board Member), the Burbank Optimist Club (Past-President), and the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m. at the First Christian Church of NorthHollywood located at4390 Colfax Ave. (corner of Moorpark & Colfax) inNorth Hollywood.

For additional information, please contact John Kelleher at (661) 251-7753 or via e-mail: JKelleher@KelleherandAssociates.com.

– In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to:

• Baseballers Against Drugs (BAD)
• P. O. Box1438
• Simi Valley,CA93062-1438

– In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to:

• First ChristianChurchofNorth Hollywood, Youth Program
• 4390 Colfax Ave.
• North Hollywood,CA91604-2898

Ottavio Sorrentino was born June 8, 1917, in Chicago, Ill. He was a very patriotic man. He served our country in the military (Air Force), came to California in his mid-twenties, and settled in Toluca Lake where he started his family and business. He was the owner/operator of Alfonse’s Restaurant for forty-five years. He was a very kind, humble, and gracious man who loved his family. He is survived by his three children Gina, Andrew, and Camilla. His grandchildren are Tyla, Andrea, Julie, Christopher, Jessica, Bayley, Ian, and Caleb. His great-grandchildren are Alayjah, Maliyha, and Vivian. You were loved by many and will be deeply missed — rest in peace. Until we meet again. Services will be held at Forest Lawn this Saturday, Nov. 17, at 12:30 p.m. at the Church on the Hill. The reception will follow at 3005 N. Buena Vista. Contact number is (818) 268-6573.

Rory Fitzpatrick

Rory Fitzpatrick, a longtime director of constituent services for the Fourth District of the City of Los Angeles and a Silver Lake native, passed away Sunday, Nov. 25. He was 66 years old.

Fitzpatrick grew up on Panorama Terrace in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles. He was a graduate of John Marshall High School, where he was an all-star baseball and basketball player as well as an avid surfer. He continued his education at the University of Southern California, receiving a degree in political science.

An executive for the Automobile Club of Southern California where he worked for 30 years, Fitzpatrick embarked on a second career as Chief of Field Operations for Councilmember Tom LaBonge, who hired Fitzpatrick when LaBonge was first elected in 2001. LaBonge and his seven brothers were childhood friends with Fitzpatrick, having grown up across the street from each other. Fitzpatrick served the people of the Fourth District for nearly a decade before he stepped down due to his illness.

“Rory was loved by everyone in City Hall as well as in the community,” LaBonge said. “He cared about getting services to the people and will be sorely missed.”

His greatest joys were watching his grandson’s baseball games and seeing his granddaughter care for and ride her horses. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna; his two daughters, Jennifer and Amy; his son-in-law Marty; and his two grandchildren, Grace and Jack. He was a wonderful father and grandfather and will be missed greatly.

Judy and Jules Chaikin, center, with family.

A Memorial was held Monday, Dec. 17, at the Musician’s Union, hosted by his wife of 57 years, Judy Chaikin, and their children Matt and Danielle. The musician’s hall was packed with family, friends, and fellow musicians, people who Jules loved and whose lives were better for knowing him.

Richard Hurwitz, Jules’ dear friend since childhood and his brother-in-law, wrote and directed “Requiem for a Lead Trumpet Player” played by nine of the best trumpet players in the business. An appropriate and superb start to the moving memorial with touching and personal stories from great composers, musicians, and his family.

A life story/visual tribute showed the boy, the groom, the father and grandfather, and the musician with the many greats he worked with. For a tiny woman, Judy Chaikin stood tall. She spoke of her husband and best friend, her true love for most of her lifetime. Then the trumpet players played the “Trumpeter’s Prayer” and “El Nino Perdido.” Traditional and touching.

It’s oddly interesting to learn what we don’t really know about our neighbors, family, and long time friends. Jules Chaikin has been a long time friend for 60 years, from teens through the present. We met at LACC, he was in the Music Department and his girlfriend (since early grade school), Judy, was in Theatre Arts. They married, had a family and thriving careers. Judy, as a film Producer-Director-Writer and Jules as a Musician.

For a great trumpet player, Jules never tooted his own horn. Even Judy was surprised and moved by the testimonials on his Facebook page from so many musicians saying they owe their careers to Jules. At home, he didn’t talk about his business, but made a beautiful home and life for his family. He fell in love with Cabo San Lucas and had a second residence there with room for kids and grandchildren. Judy was with him in Cabo the day after Thanksgiving when his very big heart completed its job.

This is a stunning loss to his family, friends, the music community, and the entire country. Jules Chaikin was a serious American citizen and his strong voice was heard along with his music.

This is a tip of the iceberg of Jules story – from an obituary: “Jules Chaikin, lead trumpet with the big bands of Stan Kenton and Les Brown, studio musician, music contractor, and contributor to film scores, died of heart failure on Nov. 23 in Cabo San Lucas. Jules was born in Brooklyn and raised in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles. He began his trumpet studies at age 11 at the L.A. Music and Art School in East Los Angeles under the guidance of Robert Webb and later with trumpeter Jimmy Stamp. A trumpet scholarship has been set up in Jules Chaikin’s honor at the L.A. Music and Arts School.

“Jules played lead trumpet for Kenton and Brown as well as Jerry Gray, Ray Anthony, Gerald Wilson, and Burt Bacharach. As a studio musician, he participated in recording sessions with Jefferson Airplane, the Carpenters, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Anka, Chicago, the Turtles, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Rogers, Lou Rawls, Manhattan Transfer, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, and Johnny Mathis.

“Jules was also a music contractor, hiring musicians for recording artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Julio Iglesias, Natalie Cole, Andrea Bocelli, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Josh Groban, Michael Feinstein, Michael Buble, and Diana Krall. He was the house contractor for the Greek Theater, the Universal Amphitheater, and the Pantages Theater.

“In addition, his work with composers such as Johnny Mandel, David Foster, Jeremy Lubbock, Ian Freebairn-Smith, and John Williams expanded his career into film projects including Phantom of the Paradise, Uptown Saturday Night, Badlands, The Rose, A Star Is Born, Bugsy Malone, Roxanne, Sleepless in Seattle, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Ghostbusters, and Star Wars. His television credits include a 20-year run as the music contractor of the Grammy Awards as well as the BET Awards and the Latin Grammys and TV specials with Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson, and Rod Stewart. He was the national secretary/treasurer of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

“Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Judy Chaikin; a son and a daughter; and three grandchildren.”

Donating to the Jules Chaikin trumpet scholarship at the L.A. Music and Arts School will help upcoming musicians toot their horns and make their mark on the lives of others.

Dr. Cleomenes Generales

Dr. Cleomenes Angelo Demosthenes Generales was born March 6, 1922, in Lowell, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of four children: his brothers Tino and Minos, and his sister Ellie.

Dr. Generales was not compelled to be a doctor based on his own father’s established history in the same profession. At age eight, he saved his family’s cat from nearly choking on a chicken bone. He then decided to become a doctor.

He held onto his dreams while coming of age during the Great Depression. At age ten, Dr. Generales’ family lost their house. His father was self-employed, but not enough patients could afford to pay their medical bills for his family to keep the house.

Despite the inherent financial difficulty of growing up in the Depression, his revelation of becoming a doctor stuck with Dr. Generales through preparatory French school, to become Valedictorian of his class, and then through Columbia University. After only a year of studies, as World War II heightened, the Army took over the scholarly process. He marched to class and received highest marks under the Army’s accelerated track, as they needed doctors for the war effort. With only a week’s break between semesters, Dr. Generales marched to class at six in the morning every day, receiving his undergraduate and medical degrees from Columbia in six years.

Following the end of World War II, 1st Lieutenant Dr. Generales drove his convertible Pontiac cross-country, looking for work. His journey led him to Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar, where he was in charge of the T.B. wards.

Dr. Generales split his time working in the office and making house calls. On a house call for a woman in Toluca Lake, he met his patient’s niece, his future wife, Penelope. They married on April 25, 1953, and had two sons, John and Peter.

Dr. Generales and his wife Penny moved to Toluca Lake to raise their family, where every day, he would walk with his medical bag to his private practice at 10137 Riverside Dr.

As a family physician, he devoted his life to serving others. He retired fairly early, but still worked part-time in his office. His family was the most important thing in his life.

Dr. Generales died the night of Dec. 31, 2012, amongst members of his family in Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, one of the hospitals in which he worked for over forty years.

In Toluca Lake, he is survived by his son Peter Generales, wife Sylvia, and grandchildren Nicholas and Markos. In Del Mar, he is also survived by his son John Generales, wife Arlene, and granddaughter Christina.

Services were held at St. Nicholas Church, Northridge, at 11 a.m. on Jan. 7. Dr. Generales was laid to rest with his wife Penelope at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Memorial Park.

Donations may be made to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank on his behalf.

World Wrestling Champion Count Billy Varga passed away Jan. 11, 2013 in Burbank. He was 94.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Jan. 10, 1919, he lived in Los Angeles for more than 70 years. His father, Count Joseph Varga was a prize Hungarian fighter who inspired his son to enter the ring. Both men went by the denomination of Count, bestowed upon them as members of Hungarian nobility.

In Count Billy Varga’s robust wrestling career, spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s, he fought in more than 500 matches, defeating over half of his opponents. A few of his most famous titles were: National Wrestling Association World Lightweight Champion, National Wrestling Association Hawaii Heavyweight Champion, and World Wrestling Association American Heavyweight Champion.

His popularity and athletic success led to work as an actor, a job in which he often played a pro wrestler, boxing announcer, or referee. He appeared in many films including Raging Bull, Miss Sadie Thompson with Rita Hayworth, and Oklahoma Crude starring George C. Scott and Faye Dunaway. On TV he made appearances on shows including Matlock, The Munsters, and The Jack Benny Program. In addition, he and his son Billy Varga the 2nd appeared in 1971’s National Geographic’s The Mojave Desert.

Count Billy Varga served in the Navy as Boatswain’s Mate First Class UNSR during World War II. When he returned to California after the war, he lived in Burbank with his family.

In all of his endeavors, Billy was known for his spirit for life. Even former wrestling opponents called them his friend, though it was known that inside the ring he was a formidable competitor. Extremely loyal, he developed lifelong friendships with other wrestlers, staying in touch with them as members of the Cauliflower Alley Club. His friends and family also knew him as a huge practical joker, whom could be, most often then not, passionate and boisterous.

He was married to his beloved wife Rosabelle for more than 50 years; she preceded him in death in 1992. They had three sons, Billy Varga the 2nd, Courtland and Royce, all of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by five grandchildren, who will miss him deeply, Billy Varga the 3rd, Lisa Varga-Hamrick, Eain Varga, Tania Varga, and Joseph Varga.

A memorial service celebrating Billy’s life will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19, with a viewing at 11 a.m. and the funeral at 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery located at 5835 W. Slauson Ave. in Culver City. For information call (310) 836-5500 or go to holycrossmortuary.com to view his obituary.

By Linda Culpepper

Gloria “Pall” Pallatz was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 15, 1927, to Jewish parents who had moved from England to America. The Great Depression began in 1929 and plunged the family into hard times. It became evident at a young age that Gloria, who loved to perform for the neighbors, was a natural entertainer and had a strong sense of fun and adventure — and big dreams.

By the time she was a teenager in the early 1940s, glamorous billboards, and the wolf whistles from the boys on the corner, made Gloria want to be a model. She won a local beauty contest in 1947 that changed her life and put her on the path to fulfilling her dreams, and more.

Gloria worked hard and made a name for herself in commercials, as a magazine cover girl, a showgirl in Las Vegas, and a television and film actress. Though she never reached “star” billing, she was one of the more beautiful actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood and had many memorable smaller roles and cameo appearances alongside many of the biggest film and television stars of the day, like Elvis, Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Donald O’Connor, Burt Lancaster, Shirley Jones, James Mason, and more.

Doing comedy and skits were a natural for Gloria and she played opposite Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, Milton Beryl, Abbot & Costello, and Danny Thomas. She went twice with Bob Hope to entertain the troops in Korea (and made stops to visit her relatives in England). When her acting career began slowing down, she became a real estate broker and set up a glamorous office on Hollywood Boulevard that catered to the stars. Such were the days of her youth.

In 1965, she married Allen Kane, the owner of a successful car dealership, and took on the very best role of her life — mother — when her son, Jefferson Kane, was born. In her later years, she was still very full of life and as fashionable as ever. She had plans to write several more books to add to the 15 she had already written.

Gloria loved to make personal appearances and reminisce with fans, both young and old, who would come to see her at movie and television memorabilia shows, Elvis and Twilight Zone conventions, and other special events. A 1959 episode of The Twilight Zone was one of her last TV roles. Gloria died of heart failure at the age of 85 on Dec. 30, 2012, in a Burbank hospital, with her son by her side. Part of Gloria’s legacy is her genuine interest in everyone she encountered and her generous nature.

By Jon Konjoyan

From l, Karen Carpenter, Frank Pooler, and Richard Carpenter. Pooler was the duo’s musical mentor.

Longtime Cal State Long Beach choral director Frank Pooler, who mentored the 1970s pop duo Richard and Karen Carpenter, and co-wrote the holiday standard “Merry Christmas Darling” with Richard Carpenter, passed away Jan. 19 in Los Alamitos. He was 86 and had battled lung cancer.

Pooler met the Carpenters when they were music students at Long Beach. Karen was studying drums and Richard piano, but he encouraged them to also sing and compose. Pooler was credited with exposing the siblings to “voice blending” techniques, which became a cornerstone of their sound exemplified in hit songs like “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Superstar.”

Pooler hailed from Wisconsin and studied at the prestigious St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He moved to California in the 1960s and started the Cal State Long Beach choral department, and later its jazz studies division. He was choir director there for 29 years.

A memorial service is set for Feb. 23 at Grace First Presbyterian Church located at 3955 Studebaker Rd. in Long Beach.

By Jim Barrett

I went to a funeral Mass at St. Finbar’s in Burbank last week in honor of my old friend, Sal Silva. Sal and I played slo-pitch softball against and for each other the last 15 years. He was a longtime Glendale and Burbank resident and had worked for Disney 41 years. He was always up and a great guy to be around.

We used to kid each other about our Army days. We came out of two different eras and wars, he in Vietnam and myself in Korea. Myself being 14 years the senior. He never mentioned his combat time in Nam. Anyway, while at Mass and at the time of the eulogizing, the speaker mentioned that Sal, serving with the 1st Cavalry in Vietnam, had been awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and CIB (Combat Infantryman Badge).

I almost fell out of the pew. He never, in all our years, mentioned that to me. This guy was a real hero.

Any one of those awards was above and beyond, and the Silver Star is just below the Medal of Honor.

After Mass I hustled over to the reception and asked his beautiful wife Jeannette and son Bob if they had any information on his exploits, and they came up with a ton. At that time in Nam he was a 21-year-old Sergeant in Troop D, 1st squadron of the 9th Cavalry, 1st Cav. Division (Air Mobile).

The Silver Star citation reads “completely disregarding his own safety, he moved forward in order to provide fire support for his commander. Eventually running low on ammunition, he gave his machine gun to another gunner and, continually exposing himself to hostile fire, began carrying ammunition for not only his position, but for all of the personnel. After they were supplied as well as possible, he began transporting casualties out of the contact area, again exposing himself to fire.”

A true HERO!

Now the sad part. After experiencing Drop Foot symptoms early Spring 2009 when suddenly tripping and falling, Sal was later diagnosed with ALS in summer 2010. He would joke that he had 3 years left to live, but if he were lucky, only 2 years. He never gave up though. Just like on the field he swung for the fences and would say he had 5 years left.

Victoria Axenty Bartmus, 89, was born in Redondo Beach, Calif.

She graduated from RUHS in 1941.

She was married for 58 years to Galen F. Bartmus, who pre-deceased her in 2001.

Victoria is survived by three children, their spouses, and two grandchildren.

Susan Lomino passed away on December 14, 2012 at her home in Woodland Hills, after a fourteen month battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family, husband Dan of forty-eight years, their two children David and Tamara, and grandchildren Julia and Robert.

Susan was born on April 7, 1947 in the San Fernando Valley. She graduated Grant High School and later attended UCLA. She and Dan were married on Valentine’s Day, 1965. They met two years prior in an elevator, and everything was up from that moment.

Susan and husband Dan lived in Topanga for many years in a home that they designed and built. Susan became a member of the Topanga Canyon Gallery 15 years ago. She traveled the world, Thailand, India, Nepal, Japan, China, New Zealand, and all of Europe, leaving a legacy of paintings and ideas for a thousand paintings that are yet to be…

During her years she learned to Belly Dance, joined Troupe Mosaic, designed her own costumes, and danced at numerous venues. In 1982, she joined the motion picture industry as Set Designer and later became an Art Director. Some of her credits are, Hill Street Blues, Dallas, Never Been Kissed, Training Day, Postman, and Samantha Who? She worked in the industry until retirement, May 2009.

Susan was diagnosed with cancer in October 2011. Her life turned on a dime, and she embarked on the journey of healing. She read books with positive mantras. The Artist’s Way and Finding Water, by Julia Cameron, were just two of the books. She would journal each day to record treatment and feelings. She understood that there are times that you can’t control external forces. However, she knew that there are always choices as to how one could react to those forces.

Art was going to play a major role in her treatment and recovery. Some of her first thoughts were to paint large abstract images of the evil beast that lurked within her. She remembered that “Susan” in Hebrew means “Lily.” In the Apocryphal Book of Tobit, Susannah was a woman of courage who defended herself from a wrongful accusation, “The Beast.” She shifted her focus to the positive and began a year’s long affair with Water Lilies. She would, after some treatments, visit lily ponds on the way home, i.e. Melody Nursery, Japanese Gardens, Pierce College, and Calabasas Lake. When she arrived home she was inspired to work on a new piece. She didn’t name her pieces, she dated them. Sadly I never asked why she chose not to name them. I suspect that the completion date of a piece, and not the name of it, meant more to her. She channeled images of herself surrounded by water lilies at a one-woman show. It was another way to conquer “The Beast.”

Susan will only be with us in spirit at her one-woman show, “Susan’s Lilies, Journey of Courage,” that will proceed as scheduled at the Topanga Canyon Gallery located at 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. #109 in Topanga Canyon. For more information, call (310) 455-7909. The show will open on May 1 and run until May 26. There will be an artist reception on Saturday, May 4, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The members of the gallery have been extremely supportive. As is the tradition Susan’s show will be in the front half of the gallery with the rest of the membership showing their work in the back half. Most members’ works will focus on the “Journey of Courage” theme. Please try to attend the reception or drop by during the month, Wednesday thru Saturday, 10 a.m.—6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.—5 p.m.

All proceeds from Susan’s works will be donated to the Motion Picture & Television Fund, Palliative Care Unit.

Rona and Olivia Newton-John.

Toluca Lake resident Rona Newton-John, Olivia Newton-John’s older sister, has died. The 70-year-old model and actress was diagnosed with brain cancer last month. She passed away on May 24 in Los Angeles according to a Facebook post.

Rona appeared on shows like The Benny Hill Show, UFO, and Sordid Lives. She was married to Olivia’s Grease co-star Jeff Conaway from 1980 to 1985.

“My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24. It was May 25th in Australia – which was our mother Irene’s birthday. Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children – Fiona, Brett, Tottie, and Emerson and her wonderful friends,” Olivia said.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be sent to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre. A brain tumor fund will be set up in Rona’s memory and the funds will go to helping people battling the disease.

By Raymond Jallow, PhD

Last Saturday the world of journalism lost Helen Thomas. A tenacious journalist who stood her ground in asking the toughest questions to the presiding U.S. President in his White House and in front of the watching millions of Americans, as well as the world at large.

She served her country well. She advanced the profession of journalism. She gave encouragements to dozens of young women journalists. She wrote six books and an untold number of articles and stories. She fought for her beliefs no matter the consequences.

I have met with Helen on a dozen occasions, attended some of her appearances, and read some of her books. I have watched her journalistic performance at the White House Press Room with her colleague reporters questioning members of the Cabinet and sometimes the President himself.

There is no doubt in my mind that she was the winner regardless of the fight-back from members of the Administration.

I invite you to join me to celebrate the life of Helen Thomas. May God receive her in his vast heavens and give the Thomas family patience.

Chris LaBonge, 63, died from complications related to leukemia on Saturday, July 20, 2013. A loving father, husband, brother, and friend, Chris will be missed by all who knew him.

Born in Los Angeles to Mary Louise and Robert Stanton LaBonge on July 27, 1949, Chris was the fourth of eight boys. His brothers remember Chris as the one most counted on to break a silence and get the group to laugh.

Chris was raised in Silver Lake and attended John Marshall High School, Los Angeles City College and graduated from Occidental College. He was an all-league football player and team captain at all schools, and an all-around athlete. He was also “star” of the Marshall High production of Kiss Me, Kate.

Professionally, Chris was a pioneer in direct and digital marketing for over 30 years. He was named a Managing Director at Smith Hemmings Gosden when it was acquired by FCB in the mid-eighties and stayed in that leadership position for over 10 years. He went on to open up Grey’s Direct Marketing Division on the West Coast and built that division into a $100 million agency in just three short years.

Chris married the love of his life, Roberta Ullmann, in 1974. They started a family in 1978 with the birth of their son Matthew James, followed by Katherine Louise in 1986 and Michael Thomas in 1988.

Chris raised his three children on his own after losing his wife Roberta to cancer in 1991. He took great pride in his children, most recently walking Kate down the aisle at her wedding and welcoming his first grandchild, James, into the family in March.

Chris was generous with his time and enjoyed giving back to the community. To honor Roberta’s memory, he spearheaded the launch of the very first USC/Norris patient-care handbook designed to help patients navigate the overwhelming process of cancer treatment. In addition, Chris sponsored a room in the Norris dedicated to Roberta’s memory. Patients still receive care in the Roberta LaBonge room every day. Chris also served on the Board of Trustees at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy from 2008-2013. He was Chair of the Marketing Committee and was most recently working on the Leadership Gift Committee for the capital campaign.

Chris is survived by his seven brothers (Brian, Steve, Denis, Tim, Bob, Tom, and Mark) and his three children: Matt, his wife Meredith and son James; Kate and her husband Jon Paul; and Michael.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s capital campaign in his name: fsha.org/in-memoriam-chris-labonge?rc=1.

Dorothy Jean Riggio, 1928—2013.

Dorothy Jean Riggio, of North Tustin, Calif., passed away peacefully on July 18, 2013. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on October 29, 1928 to Dean and Edith Schwerha Naugle. She graduated from high school and entered Pittsburgh Hospital School of Nursing where she completed her course of study with the Class of 1949. She loved her nursing career and took great joy in working in the Labor and Delivery unit where she helped bring new life into the world. Rumor has it that on a day off, she caught the eye of a handsome young doctor as she handed out tickets at a hospital dance. She and Joseph Riggio were married on December 26, 1953.

Dorothy’s life was dedicated to taking care of her husband, Joseph, and her five children. She was active in her parish church and was a member of the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Women’s Auxiliary in Burbank for many years. Her favorite times were spent with family; cooking for and entertaining all who entered her beautiful home, whether they be out-of-town visitors, relatives, or her children’s many friends.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, to whom she was married for 44 years. She is survived by her sister, Cathy; children Lisa, Marcie, Joseph, David, and Jim; and their spouses. She leaves behind four grandchildren, Lauren, Jordan, and Michael Riggs and Luke Soderquist.

Dorie, as she was known, will be forever remembered for her beauty, humility, hospitality, and love for everyone. Her smile and laugh made everyone she met feel cherished.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on July 25, 2013 at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood. She was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills beside her beloved husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Gene Peak
November, 1945 – November, 2014

“Gene” Peak passed away suddenly just five days after his 69th birthday. He was the son of the late Joseph and Janice Peak. He was a third generation Tolucan, and a descendant of the Bakman family; one of the founders of the town of Lankershim, which is now North Hollywood.

He attended Toluca Lake Elementary, St. Charles school and graduated from Notre Dame in 1963. In 1965, he and several friends joined the Navy. He left an engineer 3rd class and was offered O.T.C.

He joined L.A.P.D., working Van Nuys for eight years. He later managed his sister’s Quarter House ranch, was a painting contractor, print shop customer service, detailed and restored cars, and was a handy man perfectionist.

He never lost his love or respect for the shield and those that stand behind it. He always loved his country and those that serve. He was a supporter of Wounded Warriors, Guiding Eyes and the N.R.A.

He was always ready to help family or old and new friends, something both his parents were known for.

His love of planes came naturally as his father, Joe, worked at Lockheed for 33 years. Together, they built models and restored cars. Gene found a ’66 Nova shell, restored it, and won first place at Super Chevy Shows. Latest project was a ’72 Mini Cooper from Italy.

His parents instilled solid work ethics: to do it right the first time, love what you do, be fair, and always be a gentleman.

He is survived by his wife Melanie, his sister Paula Swank of Paso Robles, his niece Adrienne Savage (Ryan), nephew Ryan Swank (Quinnett), great nieces and nephews: Wyatt and Kendall Savage, and Jalen, Keeley and Derrick Swank. His lifelong friends, Neil Tierney and Kenny Holiday will miss his daily emails.

Gene had a military burial in Santa Fe.

Roberta Card Buccola Bellis was born April 27th 1931 in Glendale CA and passed away December 1st 2014 at her home in Valley Village, CA.

Roberta, a true Valley Girl, daughter of Bob and Hazel Card, graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1949. During High School she was an usher at the La Reina Theater on Ventura Blvd. Roberta was a popular student at Van Nuys High, active in student government, a member of the student body Board of Control, as well as various campus organizations, including the Masques (Drama Club). She was a member of several focus committees for the school and for her senior class, The Centennials (S’49). Off campus she was a founding member of the Teen Canteen, a popular group affiliated with the YMCA, which planned and organized social dances for teen-agers in the Van Nuys area.

She started her career as an elevator operator for the May Company at Wilshire and Fairfax. After many “ups and downs” she decided she wanted to be a model. She had befriended some of the models at the store and they helped her become a model for May Company when she was 18 years old. Roberta later became a Tea Room model for Bullocks Wilshire.

In 1955 Roberta met and married Donald Buccola. They were blessed with two sons Victor and Mark (Skip to his friends). When her sons were old enough she returned to modeling and continued that career into her early fifties. She was signed by the Mary Webb Davis talent agency and became one of the 21 girls who dominated the modeling business in early LA.

After Don’s death in 1998 she married his longtime friend Newt Bellis and they have spent 15 wonderful years together. She is survived by her two sons, Victor and Mark, her sister Betty Potter-Wysocki, Newt, his children and six grandchildren. Roberta was also a loving and great aunt.

Bob Meador

A long-time resident of Toluca Lake, Bob was a rare gem who will always be remembered for his kindness, generosity and pleasant smile. Bob, you made the world a better place.

Long-time Burbank resident Barbara Bonham Strickland passed away on June 24, 2015 while visiting her son Randy and his family in Camp Verde, AZ.

Barbara was pre-deceased by her husband Dale who died in 1967, and leaves behind her six children – Randy (Ellen) of Camp Verde AZ, Kevin (Lisa) of San Jose, CA, Tim (Darlene) of Anchorage, AK, Katie Brown (Mark) of Burbank, CA, Sean (Stillysta) of Burbank, CA and Joel (Tina) of Denver, CO. She also leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was born on January 28, 1923 to Benjamin and Catherine Bonham in Lone Pine, CA. She was raised in Lone Pine with her brother Joseph and sister Ruby. After graduating from Lone Pine High School, she moved to Los Angeles where she enrolled in the LA County General Hospital School of Nursing through the US Cadet Nurse Corps program. After graduating in 1947 with her nursing degree, Barbara and Dale K Strickland were married at Wee Kirk O’ the Heather in Forest Lawn, Glendale in 1948.

Dale and Barbara made their home in Burbank where they raised their children. Barbara began her nursing career at Burbank Community Hospital and was the school nurse at Village Christian Schools before moving over to Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, beginning in the delivery room and ending her career as the Nurse Manager 4 Center (Orthopedic Unit) before retiring in 1988. Barbara gave selflessly of her time and energy, from her faithful attendance at Village Church Burbank for over 65 years to her volunteering at the Burbank libraries as well as with her brother and sister in law, Bud and Mary Jane Strickland, at the Burbank Historical Society.

Barbara found her greatest joy in bringing joy to others; this was obvious in her nursing career and countless hours spent volunteering, but it’s perhaps the quieter, less visible ways she served that her loved ones will remember most dearly.

She wrote over 100 birthday and anniversary cards each month; she greeted Village Church attendees at the front door each Sunday with a giant smile; she was a member of a dozen L.A.-area museums and attractions and happily planned a weekend full of tours to anyone visiting; she was a frequent “stand-in grandma” when kids at Village Christian School didn’t have anyone to accompany them on Grandparent’s Day.

The love she so generously showed us is irreplaceable, but we find peace knowing she wanted nothing more than to be where she is right now—in heaven with Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations could be sent to the Village Church Burbank Missions Fund or The Burbank Historical Society.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 11:30am at the Village Church located at 3216 W. Victory Blvd., in Burbank.

See more online at: Legacy.com Enter: Barbara Strickland.

Paul Raley, comedian and longtime television comedy writer, passed suddenly on June 6th in Los Angeles at age 71.  He had suffered from declining health in recent years.

Raley, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Duquesne University, moved to New York in the late 1960s where he found a job writing for David Letterman during Letterman’s three-month daytime show at NBC.

While associated with Letterman he developed a character known as P.J. Rails, an acerbic screwball conspiracy theorist who claimed to have proof that JFK’s assassination had actually been carried out by former major league catcher and sportscaster, Joe Garagiola. As evidence, he produced large blown-up photos of Garragiola in a catcher’s uniform, complete with chest protector and padded glove, leaning out of the window of the Texas Schoolbook Depository. When Garagiola was informed of the accusation, he was heard to say, “What’s that guy talking about? I wasn’t anywhere near Dallas that day.”

Raley moved to Los Angeles in 1978 where he performed as P.J. Rails at the Comedy Store and on America Tonight. Eventually he moved on to television writing assignments as head writer for D.C. Follies. He wrote briefly for Saturday Night Live and for several years worked as executive story editor and producer for Grace Under Fire.

Always fiercely loyal to his Pittsburgh roots—even at the time of his death—he was working on a screenplay about Bill Mazerowski’s home run that won the 1960 World Series for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the heavily favored New York Yankees.

Raley was married for more than 30 years to former children’s television producer Michele Connor, a union that ended with her death in 2012.  He is survived by his sister, Kathy Quinnan of Naples, Florida as well by many friends and colleagues who treasured his unique personality and highly idiosyncratic sense of humor.

A memorial service is planned for July in Los Angeles. No date has been set.