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People we remember
Biographies are where we share about family & friends to connect with others who remember them.
Pam Marks:
Frank was an entrepreneur and businessman. He had a good start early on in his career working for General Mills.
Note from Kathy Pinna - When my father graduated from San Jose State, he was sent a few telegrams offering him a job. I don't have the telegrams but I've seen them.
In any case, I was told that he was weighing an offer from San Jose State to be a professor (in the philosophy dept?) and also from General Mills. He went to work for General Mills in their corporate office in San Francisco, as a buyer for the west coast.
Per an article in the San Francisco Examiner, Saturday, December 22, 1956:
"Here are the results of the course, which holds its last session next week:
One man, Frank E. Kroetch, an ingredient buyer for General Mills, has his reading speed up to 988 words per minute. That means he would be able to read better than two columns of this length in less than a minute.
The average reading speed of the men when they started this course was about 250 words a minute. They have boosted the average to 360 words per minute now.
Robert Conlin, the man who suggested the course and got $25 for the idea, started the sessions and then dropped out. Reason: He got promoted to general flour salesman midway through the course and had to concentrate on his new duties."
My mother, sister, and I used to take him to the train in Sunnyvale every day - we lived in Cupertino at the time and it was the fastest and easiest way for him to commute. As I recall, he worked there for a few years and I was told that he was the fastest rising executive at the time. He rose to the grain manager for the West Coast in that short time and he was told that no one had ever been promoted so quickly. They said that he would be president of General Mills within 20 years.
Well, Dad thought that 20 years was too far away so he quit! My memory of those days were the perks - we were sent "food baskets", in those days food boxes of General Mills products and we were able to purchase General Mills products through a employee catalogue. I saved up my allowance - I was about 8 and it was 10 cents a week - to buy a Tiny Tears doll. I loved it when he worked at General Mills.
He had a very sharp mind and knew how to see possibilities and opportunities in front of him. As a result, he was involved in numerous industries and owned many businesses over the years.
In 1960 he was the President of his company, Data Services Corporation.
In 1961, he and his brother Fred were supporters of a new magazine to be called "Northwest" that would use color photos to promote Washington tourism.
Frank also started a car rental service called "Letz Rent-a Car" in the early 1960's
He had a business in Idaho, owning a lodge at Coeur 'd Alene and was involved in many California businesses:
President of Golden Bear Land Company in Salinas (incorporated in Nevada)
Western Inns, Incorporated
Travel Lodge in San Jose
Several 'fast-food' restaurants
Later in life, he owned a few restaurants in Washington State.
Frank was also an author - having written a few short stories, one of which was a science fiction take on The Night Before Christmas.
(Note from Kathy: Dad always wanted to be a writer. He would write on yellow legal pads - remember, this was the 1950s and 1960s - and started books on such things as his theory about who the "real" Shakespeare was. My theory is that he just couldn't sit still long enough to write an entire book. But there were lots of starts on books. He also wanted to be a lawyer and even applied to - and was accepted by - San Francisco University Law School. We ended up moving to Seattle, however, and he never went to law school.)
Eddy Rodriguez:
"Unbelievable what that poor girl went through my condolence to the family it absolutely incredible what devastated me for such a strong girl to be 4 days in the wilderness could have got ate alive by animals in the cold to survive and eventually die going to see her grandma God Rest her soul in peace she deserved better in this here life and a good man and kids and family rest in peace amen"
Bonita Timins:
He was active in the Van Buren Tigers, a semi-professional football team and labored in Brigg's coal mine. His name is inscribed on the Coal Miner's Remembered monument, Blakely Borough Park, Peckville, Pa.
After the War, he worked for DuPont de Memoirs, Inc. (aka I. E. du Pont de Memoirs Co.) as a black powder maker until his retirement in 1973.
An amazing life-size black and white photo of August holding a wooden shovel is on display at the Hagley Museum and Library, 200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. During the mid-1970's the photography was done at the DuPont Powder Mill in Dupont, Pa. where Gus was employed for over 40 years and selected to represent the company. The exhibit depicts the tools used by workers making black powder. Gus was also featured in an article in the Monthly DuPont Magazine.
George Dunne:
A true patriot - Helen Irene Dunne Heinz was one of 13 children born to an Army family at Fort Riley in Kansas. She along with her older brother ( my father ) and younger sister were sent to live with their maternal grandmother in New Jersey to ease the strain on the family. She attended nursing school in New Jersey and was a roommate with a woman who eventually became my mother. Helen served as an enlisted officer along with her surgeon husband in the Korean campaign's MASH units. She was a stunningly beautiful woman and as our family rumors have it, she was the prototype for the character of Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the TV show M.A.S.H.
Maria Maio:
I miss you Lew - We met at Warren Tricomi and became fast friends. He always looked out for me, I will never forget when he called me and said “Mariah wants you to come over and do her makeup” I was so nervous ! We worked with her for good while and had so much fun. Definitely one of the highlights of my career. I am so sad he didn’t get to see my daughter grow up to be such a beautiful human.. He would have been so proud and would have been a great uncle to her. We miss you so much it hurts. You were one of my favorite humans.
Wendy Geiss:
Angelo A. Zollo was my Grandfather - My founders memories of my grandpa were him coming out to our house with my grandma and taking me for a ride to show them how to get to the original Entennmans Bakery factory! He so loved us three grandkids. I was devastated when he passed. I was only 19 years old. I still miss him and my grandma terribly.
Elizabeth Brady Hull:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lorraine Marie (Brady) Downie on December 20, 2024, at the age of 52. She was a native and resident of York, PA. Lorraine truly understood that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and her generosity knew no bounds. She was not only generous in life but also in death as an organ donor.
While Lorraine’s life may seem too short to many, those of us who were fortunate to know her understand that the impact she made on our hearts far exceeded the length of her time with us.
Lorraine was born on May 23, 1972, with a naturally sweet and kind soul, a heart of gold, and a big smile for everyone she met. She was the daughter of the late Peter A. and Elizabeth (Huben) Brady. Lorraine graduated from York Catholic High School, Class of 1990.
She was a fun-spirited soul with talents spanning many areas, including photography, where her artistic abilities shone brightly. Lorraine also had a gift for words and writing, often sharing her heartfelt thoughts on Facebook, even though she never pursued it professionally. Writing brought her peace, and her words will remain a source of comfort for those who loved her.
Lorraine had a passion for trying new recipes and would enthusiastically share countless ideas with her sisters, especially for The Brady Christmas Cookie Baking Day, held every December. If you were lucky enough to read The One, The Only Annual Brady Christmas Cookies Baking Newsletter (eight editions), her wit, love, and warmth came through in every word. In addition to her culinary adventures, Lorraine enjoyed arts and crafts, playing games on her tablet, cuddling with her dogs, and watching movies.
Some of Lorraine’s greatest joys came from her four children. Together, they created lasting memories, especially during family camping trips. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, niece, and friend, finding happiness in the simple moments spent with loved ones. Lorraine’s life was filled with laughter, love, and countless cherished memories.
Her children were her pride and joy, and not a day passed without her bragging about her “beautiful babies.” She is survived by her loving sons, Tyler Spear, Zachary Downie (Brittany), and Andrew Downie (Colleen); and her daughter, Danielle Briese. She will also be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Pandora, Elizabeth, Lexie, Marie, Temperence, Tia, Robert, Ben, and Max.
Lorraine cherished her relationship with her sisters, Diane Brady and Elizabeth Hull (David). She was preceded in death by her sister, Christine Grim, and her brother-in-law, Harold "Chip" Grim. Lorraine also treasured her brothers, Peter Brady (Susan) and Paul Brady (Charlene), who were very important to her. She leaves behind her best friend, Robin Treadway, with whom she shared a sister-like bond, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and acquaintances.
Lorraine had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. She possessed an uncanny ability to listen without judgment and offer sage advice, which helped her nieces and nephews navigate life’s challenges. Though she was private and quiet, Lorraine’s wit and sense of humor always shone through. Her sensitivity, compassion, strength, and stubbornness were all integral parts of who she was, helping her face life’s difficulties with resilience.
Lorraine touched countless lives with her kindness, as evidenced by the many heartfelt comments left on her Facebook page.
Lotenzo Perez:
Jim Gilpin was a good friend...I first met him when I moved to Rio Rico, AZ
Jim was managing a Swim @ Racquet Club there in Rio Rico,AZ..He hired me on to help him run the facility...As soon as Jim found out I was a Vietnam Veteran, he
had me join the local VFW which he was also a member of....I got to love that man...He treated me like a son...I got to meet his wife and daughter...They had a beautiful stucco home overlooking a deep canyon...Jim had lost an arm in the war and wore a prosthetic arm which he was always getting out his small wrench to adjust the cable tension to the hand...If someone is out there that remembers Jim please contact me at e-mail address [contact link] or text me at (541) 626-1578...
Jeri Connor:
Birthday momknapping - February 2005 I drove from Ft.HoodTx to Tool TX to momknap my mom for her birthday month. She had no idea I was picking her up. I had somewhat of a plan but not really. The only plan i had for sure was driving to Minneapolis Minnesota to visit my sister Tabitha. Mom was so excited when I showed up and delivered the news of my spontaneous birthday plan. Mom was always down for a road trip, guess that's where I got it from. We visited Minnesota my sister Tabitha of course, stepsister Stephanie step dad Lewis and step mom Cheryl. We all went to a bar and grill together and I remember mom and dad actually danced together. Cheryl in my opinion was a hell of a woman to not get all bent out of shape with them acting dancing and carrying on the way they did. We stayed about a week and took our time going back to Texas. I treated mom to a Gary Allen concert in Waco texas whom was one of her favorite singers. When he sang 'Right where I need to be' my mom swayed and sang along. At the end of the night, she said, " is this gonna be my last birthday? Cause I've just had the bestes birthday of my whole life! Thank you so much i love you my angel baby!" It wasn't her last birthday but it was the last birthday I was able to celebrate with her.
Matthew Crosson:
My Best Friend: Steven L Koenig - Steve was at least 6'7" tall with black hair and could stop traffic with his good looks. He passed in 1993, but what was amazing about him was his honesty, amazing sense of humor (wit), and his hopeful search for that one person who would become the love of his life. He would have been my lifelong friend but his life was cut short by HIV.
But his life is not defined by how he died but with the lasting remembrance of his wonderful presence and the sense of joy that he left us all with. I know his spirit is alive and he is with us. I am only filled with gratitude of having met him. God bless you Steve! All my love.
Kristin Hughes:
My Grandpa - My grandfather, Tommy Caldwell, was the most entertaining storyteller. My brother and I grew up listening to tales about my grandfather climbing the “mountain” outside of his window to fight a grizzly bear. Not only did my brother and I get to hear this wildly violent tale, my grandpa would act it out with props and all. My grandpa was never boring. He loved my grandma Koko, and all of us because we were a part of her. I sure miss that old man.
