Saturday, April 27, 2013

David William Anderson, BHS 1956

David William Anderson, BHS 1956

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David William Anderson on April 19, 2013. After putting up a valiant fight against cancer, Dave left his earthly body to find eternal rest in the loving arms of his Savior.

He is survived by his faithful wife of 50 years, Linda; his devoted daughters, Amy (Joel) and Julie (Bill); and his adoring grandchildren, Alex, Nico, Elena, Liliana, Kara, Ryan, Michael, Blaine and Connor.

Dave was born in Akron, Ohio to David and Ruby Anderson and raised in Burbank, California where he was class president and captain of the football team at Burbank High School ('56). He went on to play football at New Mexico Military Institute and graduated from San Jose State University ('61) with a business degree. He proudly served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1961 - 1963. He married Linda Martin in 1962.

Dave began his own business, Anderson Air Conditioning, Inc. in Orange County in 1968. Dave was a well-respected business owner and mentor to many as well as an active member in his community and church. Dave enjoyed many things among them: classical music, sailing, football, travel, and his beloved California Angels.

Dave was a principled and loving father and grandfather who served as the ultimate role model to the entire family. Later in life, Dave took an active role in his grandchildren's lives and loved to watch their sporting events and support them in their education. Dave's influence is far reaching and his legacy will live on through the lives of his many friends, family, and all who had the great privilege of knowing this wonderful man. Though his loss is greatly felt here on earth, comfort is taken in the fact that he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 
A memorial service will take place at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4861 Liverpool Street, Yorba Linda on Friday, April 26 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Angeles Clinic & Research Institute/Melanoma Center, 11818 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 90025 in memory of David W. Anderson. www.FairhavenMemorial.com

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Ronald Allen Grygus, BHS 1965

Ronald Allen Grygus, BHS 1965

Ronald Allen Grygus was born on October 26, 1946 in Easton, Pennsylvania and passed away on July 28 2008. The son of Herman Grygus and his wife, Isobel Burzycki. Along with his older brother Andrew, the family lived in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, they moved to Connecticut in 1955. After his parents separated, Isobel, Andrew and Ron relocated to California in 1956. Ron attended school in Burbank, at John Muir Junior High and graduated from Burbank High School in the class of 1965.

Employed briefly at Burbank Stainless Steel, before Ron was drafted into the army in 1966, he served in Vietnam in 1967-68, and returned home in 1969.

Perhaps Ron was best known for his motorcycle repair and fabrication, his self employed life long art and passion. He worked with metal, developing many specialties including restorations and fabrication of forks, frames, fenders, tanks, pipes and amazingly; cases, heads and barrels.

Ron was a wonderful friend: helpful, interested, person. Ron was a person who lived his life everyday. The plants and succulents, feeding the hummingbirds, his dogs, wild life, his collections, photography, current events, riding his mountain bikes, and tofu burgers are just some of the things we can recall when Ron comes to mind.

He will live on in his work and our memories as a unique individual, who's talents made the world a better place.

Thank you Ron for your honesty and kindness.

PS: To see and read more about Ron,
CLICK HERE

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Barbara Jean Porter Gardner, BHS 1941

Barbara Jean Porter Gardner, BHS 1941

Barbara Jean (Porter) Gardner - (Queen Charlotte)

Date: November 28, 2012

Barbara Jean (Porter) Gardner, was born Jan 30, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Maurice and Phyllis Porter. She grew up in Burbank, California and attended Burbank High School(1941), where she met Raymond Gardner(bhs1939) at the age of 15.

They married July 24, 1942 and spent 60 years together. Barbara and Ray enjoyed their retirement years at their homes in Queen Charlotte City and in Camarillo, California. Barbara loved to fish, being in the woods, on the streams and out on the beaches. To her last days, she often reminisced about the years she spent on Haida Gwaii and the friends she made here.

She passed away in Ventura, California on October 20, 2012, at the age of 89. She is survived by her daughters Judy Puls (Karl), Janet Sampson, and Jill Solotoff (Myckle), her granddaughter Kristi (Gregg) and her great grandchildren Amanda and Joshua. Barbara was a beautiful soul and always looked on the bright side of every situation.

A Special thanksto the staff at the Palms Assisted Living in Ventura for taking such good care of our Mother in her final days. Barbara's ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean near Ventura Harbour and at the Blow Hole in Keauhou, Hawaii.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Scott J. Volland, BHS 1981

Scott J. Volland, BHS 1981


Burbank Leader, Saturday, January 1, 1994

Scott J. Volland, 31, died December 25, 1993 in Sherman Oaks. Born in Minnesota, he lived in Burbank for 27 years.

Mr. Volland was a electrician with Hoffman Electric for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Volland and two brothers, Michael and Terry.

A Funeral Mass was held at St. Francis Xavier Church. Burial was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California. The Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Lawrence Evan Frankel, BHS 1973

Lawrence Evan Frankel, BHS 1973

Gay Activist and Civil Lobbyist, Larry Frankel, dies at 54
Matthew Spolar, Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug 31, 2009


Philadelphia, PA - Larry Frankel, who worked the halls of Harrisburg for 16 years as a civil liberties lobbyist, died Friday in Rock Creek Park in Washington. He was 54. Relatives said he died of natural causes.

Mr. Frankel was legislative director of the
American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania from 1992 to 2008. He was also the organization's executive director from 1996 to 2001. In March 2008, he took a job in Washington as state legislative counsel for the ACLU, but he kept his apartment in Philadelphia.

Mr. Frankel was well known at the state Capitol, where he worked to reform the state's Right to Know Law, defeat proposed state constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage, defend voting rights, and stop plans for school vouchers.

A native of Burbank, Calif., Mr. Frankel studied comparative literature at the University of California at Berkeley. He also attended the university's law school, where he met Andy Chirls, his longtime partner before their separation five months ago.

The two met in September 1978 at a seminar for law students organizing against a proposition to allow school boards to fire gay teachers. They moved to Philadelphia upon graduating in 1981; Frankel first worked in the law office of Harold Diamond before starting a solo practice.

In Harrisburg, Mr. Frankel's conviction and talent for persuasion thrived. "He viewed his client as the Constitution of the United States," Chirls said.

In a statement, Gov. Rendell said Mr. Frankel served the people of Pennsylvania "as much as any elected official in the Commonwealth." "I could count on Larry for his strategic insight and clever approach to advocacy, making him a pleasure to work with and a gentleman that I always wanted on my side," Rendell said.

Rep. Dennis O'Brien (R., Phila.) also expressed admiration for Mr. Frankel's ability to form bonds on both sides of the aisle. "Everyone had the highest respect for Larry. He was tenacious, the consummate advocate," O'Brien said. "We rarely agreed, but he brought a sense of fairness."

Stacey Sobel, former executive director of
Equality Advocates of Pennsylvania, worked closely with Mr. Frankel to defeat a proposed state constitutional amendment in 2006 that would have banned gay marriage. "People who cared about individual rights and liberties lost an incredible advocate," she said. Sobel said Mr. Frankel always had his finger on the pulse of important constitutional issues circling the Statehouse. "Reporters would just come over when he was standing in the hallways and say, 'Hey Larry, have you heard anything interesting lately?' " she said.

Yesterday, Sobel, who teaches law at Western State University in Fullerton, Calif., was headed to the beach in memory of Mr. Frankel, who loved beaches.

When State Sen. Daylin Leach (D., Montgomery) was elected in 2002, he said he "knew very little about how the place actually worked." "Larry took the time to work with me and educate me. In time, he came to inspire me. He was the smartest, hardest-working and most knowledgeable lobbyist I knew," Leach said.

Mr. Frankel is survived by his brothers, Norman and Kenneth; his sister, Leslie; and his father, Richard.

Donations in Mr. Frankel's memory can be sent to the American Civil Liberties Foundation, Box 40008, Philadelphia 19106, or to the Fairmount Park Conservancy, 1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 1670, Philadelphia 19103.

Relatives plan to hold a funeral in California and a memorial service in Philadelphia but no dates have been set.


NOTE: Larry Frankel went jogging along Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park. Another jogger found his body floating in Rock Creek.


Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Betty J. Rick, BHS 1947?

Betty J. Rick, BHS 1947?

San Gabriel Valley Tribune (West Covina, CA) - Monday, October 8, 2012

Betty J Rick, 83 of Glendora, Ca. passed away October 2, 2012 after a short illness. Betty grew up in Burbank, CA. and attended Burbank High School . Her working years were spent at La Canada Country Club and 10 years at the Walt Disney Studios where she made many long time friends.

She is survived by her husband of 28yrs. Bill Rick, two stepsons Larry and Craig, her brother-in-laws Bob and Arlene Rick of Covina , Gary and Linda Rick of Ventura her cousins Hal and Betty Estes of Camarillo, and longtime friends Marilyn and Mike Buckhoff of Redondo Beach. Betty's wonderful smile and always cheerful personality will be missed by all.
A celebration of her life for her many friends and relatives will be held at the Glendora Women's Club, 424 N Glendora Ave, from 12:30 to 3:00pm on Friday October 12th.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Angelo Costanzo, BHS 1953

Angelo Costanzo, BHS 1953

Ventura County Star (CA) - Thursday, January 3, 2013

Born:1935 - Died:2012

Angelo Costanzo has gone to be with our Lord. He passed away Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 at 6:13 a.m. We will miss him forever but we know he will finally have found some peace and a pain free heaven. Ang fought an incredible battle for over six years.

Ang was born to Angelo and Caroline Costanzo in Pittston, Pa., on March 25, 1935. It was a large Italian family where he learned the value of good work and how to get along with his fellow man. And he wasn't a bad cook either!

At about the age of 13 he and his family moved to Burbank, CA. where he went to school and graduated from Burbank High School in 1953. He was a very talented athlete. He was offered a college football scholarship, but he opted to start working instead. He turned out to be the epitome of a "self made man". By the time he was 40 years old he had created a very successful ceramic tile company. He employed hundreds of people and garnered the respect of those people along the way. He was a true leader of men. He was a very generous man and would not like much more said about that.

When still a teenager he, met Jo (Ruth) Manskar and they were smitten with each other. They married at the tender age of 19 and remained for more than 58 years. It is tempting to go on and on about Ang's goodness but he wouldn't' like it. God bless his good soul.

Ang is survived by his wife Jo, son David (daughter-in-law Yvonne) and granddaughters Sierra and Gabrielle. Also he leaves his sisters Josephine and Mary, brothers Nick (Linda), Ralph (June) and numerous nieces and nephews.

His mother, father and brother Jim are deceased.

There will be a vigil service Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 at 7 p.m. at Griffin Family Funeral Chapels, 1075 E Daily Dr. Camarillo, ph. 805-482-1166. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Mary Magdalen church, corner of Crestview and Las Posas Rd. in Camarillo, on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11 a.m.

God bless you all from Angie. He so loved all his friends and family.

Arrangements were made with the assistance of Griffin Family Funeral Chapels, Camarillo. (805)482-1166.


Sunday, April 7, 2013

Lola Mae Richard Anderson Phillips, BHS 1925?

Lola Mae Richard Anderson Phillips, BHS 1925?

The Cupertino Courier, May 25, 2005

Former Cupertino resident Lola R. Anderson Phillips died in Houston, Texas, of heart failure. She was 97.

Phillips was born in Oklahoma on May 29, 1907. She and her first husband, Lincoln Anderson, moved to Los Altos, and lived there until his death in 1966.

Phillips then moved to Sunnyvale, where she worked for Lockheed Martin until 1971. After retiring, she took up ballroom dancing and received her California real estate license. Phillips also traveled to Europe, Asia, South America and Australia by herself.

In 1978, she moved to Houston to be close to her son, Dick Anderson. To her family's surprise, she married longtime friend and Cupertino resident Hugh Phillips at the age of 80 and moved to Cupertino to live with him. She remained there until his death in 1999.

Phillips is survived by son Richard Anderson and his wife Michelle, of Houston; grandson David Anderson and his wife Pellie, of San Rafael; granddaughter Karen Anderson of Houston; and three great-grandchildren.

Phillips is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles. A celebration of her life will take place Saturday June 4, at 11 a.m. at Union Church of Cupertino, 20900 Stevens Creek Blvd.

Donations can be made to the Senior Bulldogs Foundation of Burbank High School, care of Bill Magee, P.O. BOX 3216, Grandad Hills, CA. 91394 or to the Dixie Children's Fund, P.O. BOX 6182, San Rafael, CA, 94903.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Dr. Mark Leland Dana, BHS 1973

Dr. Mark Leland Dana, BHS 1973

Californian, The (Temecula, CA) - Tuesday, November 14, 2006

CARLSBAD - Dr. Mark Leland Dana, 51, died of cancer and a brain tumor Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006.

Born March 29, 1955, in Los Angeles, he lived in Carlsbad for 14 years. He retired in 2004 as a physician for Medical Group of North County.

Dr. Dana was preceded in death by his brother, Karl Dana, in 2000.

He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Rita Dana of Carlsbad; mother Janet Dana of Kaneohe, Hawaii; father and stepmother Leo and Jane Dana of Carlsbad; sons Maxwell Dana and John Dana, both of Carlsbad; and sisters and brothers-in-law Deborah and Keith Richman of Northridge, Jennifer Dana and Bob Orso of West Covina, and Diane and Damon Bell of Kaneohe.

Private services are planned.

Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside is handling arrangements.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Russell R. Koehler Jr., BHS 1952

Russell R. Koehler Jr., BHS 1952

A longtime resident of Burbank, CA passed away suddenly on December 23, 2012. Born in Chicago, IL in 1935, Russ moved to Burbank as a young boy with his parents, Thelma and Russell Koehler, Sr. and his sister Susan. After graduating from Burbank High School in 1952 he proudly served his country in the US Navy. Russ enjoyed a long and successful career in the insurance industry retiring in 1995. Russ had a lifelong passion for travel having visited countries on every continent.

He is survived by his partner of 32 years, Albert Saccocia; and his daughter and son in law, Janice and Jeffrey Glosup.

A private memorial is planned for later this month. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made to the American Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals at
www.aspca.org.


Published in Los Angeles Daily News on February 8, 2013



Monday, April 1, 2013

Michael Shannon Flynn, BHS 1983

Michael Shannon Flynn, BHS 1983

Michael Shannon Flynn passed away Feb. 9 2013, in Lake Havasu City at the age of 48. Mike, as he was known by many, or Shannon, as his family and close friends called him, was born Dec. 8, 1964, in Glendale, Calif., to Michael and Vickie (Oberholtzer) Flynn.

Mike lived in Burbank, Calif., then several years in Basalt Colo., then back to Burbank, before graduating from Burbank High School in 1983. He worked in the Air Conditioning Industry for over 25 years and most recently worked for Mercury Air from 2003, when Mike and his family moved to Lake Havasu City, until 2012. 

Among Mike’s many hobbies were Hot Rods and motorcycles, building several cars and bikes from the ground up. His love for old, classic cars led him to become one of the founding members of The Lucky Few Car Club in 2008, where he was known as "Stitch." He also loved boating on the lake and fiddling with guitars and guns.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Kim Flynn, of Lake Havasu City; son, Shane Flynn, of Lake Havasu City; mother, Vickie Flynn, of Lake Havasu City; father, Michael Flynn and his companion, Nancy Seymour, of Burbank, Calif.; sister, Laury Spinelli and her husband, Gino, of Simi Valley, Calif.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be today, at 6 p.m. with Chaplain Kathy Kenney offering words of comfort. Viewing of Mike will be from 5 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.

February 12, 2013 Lake Havasu News