Wednesday Obituaries

11/16/05

BRECK, Harry (Yankee)

passed away Nov. 14, 2005 on his 70th birthday. Yankee grew up on the ranches in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley working beside his brother, Leonard Breck, and mother, Barbara Breck, in the bunk houses and beside his father, Harry Breck, running heavy equipment.

Once Yankee could reach the pedals of a car his passion was born. Cars and auto racing became his love and he shared this love with his sons, Danny and Johnny, and his many, many friends.

In 1970 Yankee was hurt racing his stock car at the Santa Maria Speedway. As a result of the accident, he spent the next 35 years in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. He met this challenge with great strength, running a successful trucking and heavy equipment business for 23 years, checking on jobs throughout the county from his van.

Never giving up, always lifting the spirits of those around him with his wonderful sense of humor, befriending all those he met at his many stays in Santa Barbara Rehab and the area hospitals, he was a role model for many younger people who found themselves suddenly confined to a wheelchair.

Yankee leaves behind his mother, Barbara Breck, who was by his side for the past 35 years keeping him healthy and well-fed. He also leaves his sons Danny Breck (wife Debbie Breck) and Johnny Breck (wife Danielle Breck), grandchildren Ashley Breck, Benny Breck, Abby Breck, and Holly Breck, as well as his brother Leonard Breck. No doubt, Yankee is now behind the wheel of a fast car, telling jokes to those on this next journey.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 17, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 at Welch-Ryce-Haider at 15 Sola St. Church services will follow at 10:00 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 21 E. Sola St. Graveside services held immediately following the church service at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.

COLVILLE, William Teal, Jr.

1923 - 2005

"The Heart of Montecito," Bill Colville was born July 29, 1923 to William and Johanna Colville, proprietors of the famed Montecito Store on East Valley Rd. above San Ysidro Road.

Bill grew up in a Montecito far more innocent and open than the community of today. "The big difference between the estates now and the estates then, there was no electric gates. For us kids, we'd just walk through the estates along the way to wherever we were headed, opening and closing the gates behind us... all you had to do was put a towel on your shoulder and head out to the beach and somebody'd pick you up."

The Colville home was adjacent to the family business and Bill began working at the store as soon as he "was old enough to push a broom."

He bagged groceries, worked the soda fountain, helped drivers load the cars and eventually upon gaining his license made deliveries himself. While delivering a case of whiskey at the Hillman Estate on Picacho Lane the sixteen year old had his first encounter with the undraped female form as he opened the poolside gate and found two women sunbathing au natural with their host. Bill was so startled he dropped the case, loosing three bottles in the process. Hoping for a repeat performance he dashed back to the store for the replacement bottles but upon his return the nymphs were "...sadly, gone."

He attended Montecito Union School graduating with a class of eight, and then went to ninth grade at Santa Barbara Junior High where "we were shunned. Though we were just the kids of the gardeners and workers in Montecito everyone thought we were rich."

Bill's charm and friendly personality soon changed attitudes and he was elected class president. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School and spent his war years in the army at March Field near Riverside.

After the war, Bill returned to Montecito working at the family store until 1961 when his parents retired and sold the store and liquor license to Harold Jurgensen. Jurgensen's, an upper end grocery chain opened their new store on Coast Village Rd. with Bill as manger. In the meantime Bill had married and he and his wife Bessie adopted a son, Gary. In the mid-60s the Colville's moved to 1550 East Valley Rd. which Bill "slightly remodeled" to include a swimming pool that extended into the living room.

Civically and spiritually he was active in the Montecito Lion's Club, was an elder in El Montecito Presbyterian Church and was the Sunday School Superintendent there for 25 years. Historically, civically and certainly spiritually was his involvement in the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. He was taken in to the organization by his friend, Dr. Don Bittleston in 1976 and became Grand Noble Humbug of Platrix Chapter #2 in 1987. Three years later he was one of the Founding Fathers of de la Guerra y Pacheco Chapter 1.5.

Bill's first wife, Bessie passed away in 1969 and as fortune would have it, two years later he found his soul mate Betty Jane "BJ" Seaton, a widow of four years, at a church function. Bill and BJ moved to 130 Butterfly Lane which soon sported a fabulous sauna and a commodious hot tub featuring an antique copper wrapped water heater which was a piece of art in itself - "those were the days... and nights!"

Following his retirement from Jurgensen's the Colvilles left Montecito and moved to a mobile home park where Bill could spend his full time developing what would evolve into a new career.

Though he had no formal training, Bill was an accomplished and sought after artist. His initial interest in art became apparent at a very early age when his mother found the best way to stop him from fidgeting at church was to give him a sheet of paper and a pencil. "When they saw that I liked to draw - I didn't paint at that time - my dad would give me a nickel for every drawing I did that he thought was good."

When he began attending school as both his parents and his sister worked at the store, they had to find something for him to do until they could get home. First they tried piano lessons from Mrs. Hosmer at the adobe on his way back from the Montecito Union School. Failing that, mathematics from the Ords at the same location was attempted with the same result. But when they got to art lessons Bill's natural talent stood out. In addition to the afternoon art lessons he also went to the Saturday morning art classes at the Museum of Art taught by Mrs. Frank (Esther) Julian.

"I had fun with those Saturday morning classes. I never went to a formal art college or anything. It was just after school and for fun. And lots of the kids in school could draw a lot better than I could but I went home and tried it again and they went off to do something else. I really loved it and every vacation when I was older it was an art vacation and I'd have lessons from some expert, but I have no formal art training."

In 1934, budding artist Bill was working on a portrait of Pancho Villa for a school project when a friend's father happened by. "He looked at the picture I'd drawn of Villa with a big hat and embroidery which I knew from Fiesta, a big handlebar mustache and fierce eyes, and bandaleros and bullets with a big knife. And he says "You're an artist - I'm an artist too - I really like your work."

So I tore it off, signed it "Billy" and gave it to him and he said "I'll have to give you one of my paintings."

"A few months later I found the family packing up to return to Mexico. I told my friend's father "Hey you can't leave, you owe me a painting."

So he took a piece of old newspaper and with charcoal drew a picture and signed it "to my dear Billy, Ramos Martinez."

For a while I had my nose out of joint because I had my art on a nice piece of white paper and he used a damn newspaper."

Many years later Bill would find out that his friend's father was the great artist Alfredo Ramos Martinez who had been in Santa Barbara to paint the magnificent frescoes at the Santa Barbara Cemetery Chapel.

Now, some fifty plus years after that event Bill was gaining a reputation of his own, specializing in portraits of homes and gardens.

After BJ passed away in 1991, Bill returned to Montecito to a house on Hosmer Lane just a few steps from the home and store where he had spent so much of his early life. His new home was in fact the first house he bought - for û100 as a 19 year old. "A man came into the soda fountain and mentioned he would be tearing down the old Pollorena House on the other side of East Valley Road. I told him don't tear it down, it's a great old house I'll give you a hundred bucks for it. He immediately took me on my word and I had a house. It cost me another û800 to move it to a piece of property my dad had behind the Montecito Library."

Bill later sold the house to his sister, who used it as a rental, but luckily was able to buy it back. It was overgrown with vegetation and had suffered a bit over the years but several of Bill's friends came to the rescue with ideas and plans that turned it into the perfect bachelor pad, artist's studio and gallery.

Happy, peaceful years of painting, garden parties and art receptions were marred by the passing of Bill's sister Elizabeth and his son Gary in 1997 and Gary's wife in 1996. Bill's eternal optimism kept him strong. He took many painting trips including several to Europe.

Last year Bill was diagnosed with esophageal cancer but despite the bad days and discomfort, he was always glad to greet a friend with his generous smile and a booming hello. He passed away quietly on Sunday, November 16th.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

John 14:1-3

As the end drew near, Bill took great comfort in that scripture as he was certain that his room "included a wet bar and dancing girls."

His many friends would like to acknowledge the care given to him during these past months especially by the tireless Hospice workers Holly Joseph and Julie Hirsch, the daily caregivers Kari Campbell, Michelle and Pia, Gary and Gerda Meyer and Mark and Cheri Swank.

Bill's friends will gather to remember him on Sunday, November 20th from 12:30 to 3:00 at the Elk's Lodge, 150 N. Kellogg Ave. Friends and strangers alike are encouraged to send a donation in his memory to The William Colville Foundation for the Arts c/o Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, 1483 East Valley Rd., 93108.

Bill never had a cross word about anyone, greeted friend and stranger alike with a welcoming smile and despite the many tragedies he dealt with during his life he remained upbeat and positive. This is Bill's legacy. And if each of us could take the time to think of Bill from time to time and follow suit, "The Heart of Montecito" will always be beating.

CRAIG, Clayton D.

November 23,1921 to November 8, 2005

Loving husband for 59 years of Liz, survived by his children: John (Lynn), Janie (Rob Guillermo), Margaret, Ruth (Dave Ambriz), Trish (Tim Drennon), Tony (Diana), Rita (Johnny Flores), Dan (RoseAnne), Chris (Mark Bellefeuille), Nancy (Bernie Torres), Paul (Julie), 29 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is also mourned by his sister Noni Saunders.

As founder of Craig Roofing Company he was known for his high integrity, honesty and pride of workmanship, and donated his company's efforts to many of the charitable institutions in the Santa Barbara area. As past member of Santa Barbara Mission for 30 years, he was currently a member of St. Mary's Parish, Palmdale, CA.

For 10 years Craig performed the maintenance for Our Lady of the Pines, Pioneer, CA, as a volunteer. He volunteered for the Knights of Columbus and was a WWII veteran.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 17th, 2005 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McDermott-Crockett Mortuary at 2936 De La Vina St. A memorial mass will be held on Friday, November 18th, at 1:00 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Old Mission. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Mary's Church Building Fund, 1600 E. Ave. R-4, Palmdale, CA 93550.

JOHNSTON, Jacquelyn B.

passed away on Nov. 7, 2005. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, S. Parker Johnston, Jr. and her sister Elaine B. O'Meara.

Jackie was born in Boston, Mass. on Oct. 30, 1927 and lived in Montecito, CA for over 25 years. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG) at P.O. Box 92210, Santa Barbara, CA 93190.

A Mass will be said in her honor at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Carpinteria. A memorial service will be held by family and friends in the near future.

Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.

JONES, M. Darlene

loving friend and colleague to many, passed away November 14, 2005 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 63. Darlene was born on January 2, 1942 in Santa Maria, California to Manuel and Margaret Perry. They, along with her husband Walt Jones and her sister Joanne Garner, preceded her in death. While Darlene did not have children, she is survived by a wide circle of friends (Dorothy Reid and Karen Libby receive top honors), colleagues, and family that she helped raise in one way or another. This also included friends of the four legged variety-cats and dogs, many that she personally saved through her active involvement as both a volunteer and board member of the Dog Adoption Welfare Group aka D.A.W.G.

In her professional life, Darlene served as the Human Resources Manager at St. Francis Hospital and, later, at the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. At the Housing Authority, she did the job of two-Human Resources Manager and Assistant to the Executive Director-where she worked for 27 years until her retirement in October of last year. Darlene helped give the City Housing Authority great spirit as well as the wonderful reputation it enjoys today-be it responding to the AIDS crisis by acting as the developer of Sarah House or meeting the housing needs of very low income seniors, the disabled and families through countless programs and projects. Darlene was always there for the community, the Housing Authority and the Staff. She could be a tough cookie, but there was always that soft center made of love and concern. She is missed and loved by many-more than she knows for she shunned the spotlight and never looked for praise. She was DJ.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 18, 2005, at 10 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 21 E. Sola St. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to D.A.W.G., 5480 Overpass Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93111 or the Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, 808 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider.

MASTRARRIGO, Muriel Grace

a 14 year cancer survivor, ended her battle and died Saturday morning November 12th, 2005 without pain and in complete peace with a smile on her face. Muriel's two eldest children, Laurie and Neil were at her bedside recanting mischievous family memories filled with humor and love in her final hour.

Muriel was an administrator for the inmate records division of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Dept. for 25 years until her retirement. Muriel held many interesting jobs in her life, including her little known stint as a Tiara Model, but her main career and focus was being a good and loving mother to her 3 children.

Muriel was married to Louis Mastrarrigo for 28 years and widowed in 1984, she is survived by her 3 children, Laurie Theobald, Neil Mastrarrigo and Julie Jorsling and her 2 grandchildren and her brother Lawrence McQueen and his 4 children and their families.

Born Muriel Grace McQueen in Dundee, Scotland, Muriel immigrated to Canada and then the United States in her early 20's and became a US Citizen in 1962. Although she 100% embraced her new country and life here in the United States, it was her Scottish-ness that made her unique to everyone who knew her and that protected her in life.

Since Muriel's days during the London blitz, when her family's home was destroyed to her travels across rough seas to North America and finally her long battle with cancer it was her Scottish humor, her desire to have fun and her love for a nice "cold one" that kept her going. As they say in Scotland, "let's raise our glasses to a very Bonnie Lass."

Services are being arranged for Friday, November 18th by Welch-Ryce-Haider.

McCURRY, Ernest Alton

Ernest McCurry died on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005 at his home in Carpinteria. He was born Oct. 11, 1914 in Los Angeles, CA to Avery and Verna (Hill) McCurry. Ernie had a very strong work ethic. From early childhood through high school, he delivered milk for a Hawthorne dairy before school each day. He worked at the Riviera County Club as a shoeshine boy and caddy where he developed his life-long love of golf. He graduated from Leuzinger High School and attended Los Angeles Technical School and Los Angeles Junior College.

He married Jeanne Evelyn Welsh in 1935. They lived on Catalina Island where he managed the power plant. They had three children. During World War II he went to the Northwest Territory and worked on the construction of the TransCanadian pipeline.

The family moved to Carpinteria from Avalon in 1944. Ernie worked as a mechanic at Gordon Bailard Tractor Repair. He later owned a gas station/grocery store in Summerland. Upon returning to Carpinteria in 1951, he took over the Shell station, which he sold in 1959. He then joined Surf Realty where he enjoyed a long and productive career.

Ernie was generous with his time and energy. He helped individuals with their particular needs, as well as addressing community-wide needs. He and his friend Fred Risdon secured, operated and maintained the town's first street sweeper. He was named Carpinterian of the Year in 1960. He served on the Carpinteria School Board and the 19th Agricultural District Board (including terms as president), and the Grand Jury. He was a 32nd degree Mason of the Carpinteria Lodge and twice past master and chaplain for over 20 years.

Ernie was an avid golfer and was a member of the Montecito Country Club. Music and singing were an important part of his life. He sang in the Carpinteria Community Church choir for over 50 years. He was a charter member of the Channel City Barbershop Chorus.

In 1983 Ernie married recently widowed Barbara Winneguth. They shared 22 years together - traveling, mostly on golf trips, singing together, enjoying their retirement and their families. Although he was a cancer survivor, he succumbed to Alzheimer's disease.

Ernie was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanne, son Jack, grandson Todd, and brother Kenneth. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Diane Beamer (David), son Barie, daughter-in-law Jenifer, grandchildren Mickey, Jeffery, Mitchell, Kirsten, Hilary, Jack and Sarah, 12 great-grandchildren, and his stepchildren Nancy, Mike and Jill, their families, and his sister, Velma. He will be dearly missed by his loving family and the many Carpinterians who knew him. His family wishes to thank Namgay Namadorje for his gentle, loving care.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Carpinteria Community Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Carpinteria Community Church or Hospice Care.

MORGAN, Jerrie Ann Ketcham

passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Vancouver, Washington on Thursday November 10, 2005. She was born June 30, 1927 in Cook County, Illinois to the late Frank Winans Ketcham and Eleanor Serrell Ketcham. She graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where she met her husband Robert Harold Morgan. After their marriage in 1950 they lived in Fresno, CA moving to Santa Barbara, CA in 1954 where Mr. Morgan was an architect. Mrs. Morgan was an award-winning equestrienne and generously donated her time to train youngsters to participate in horse shows and compete in public speaking. Some have received national awards. She also trained Weimeramers and Vizsla dogs which also placed in national competitions.

Mrs. Morgan was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She shared her love of life, God and country, and the determination to overcome any obstacle with many youth who considered her their "second mom."

She had a wonderful love of music and sang wherever she went as well as teaching many children to sing in parts and perform. Her motto was "Onward and Upward" and "Merry Christmas Every Day."

Mrs. Morgan was preceded in death by a sister Jody Carsello and her beloved husband Bob ("Fuzzy") who at the time of his death in 1990 was the Bishop of the Arroyo Grande Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She is survived by a daughter Kris Marele Morgan Cunningham and son in-law Scott of Three Lakes, Wisconsin; three sons and daughters in-law, Kenton Serrell Morgan and Cherie of Vancouver, Washington; Kerry Ketcham Morgan and Karen of Beaverton, Oregon; Kory Cameron Morgan and Shirley of Vancouver and her niece Stephanie Carsello of San Ynez, CA.

Her fifteen grandchildren are: Joseph, Erin, Ammon and Ariel Cunningham; Jessica, Brandon, Sarah, Ryan, Nishelle, Kaitlyn, Cambria, Justin, Shirlyn Wanlass, Kyrsten, K.C. Morgan and a great granddaughter Kailey Wanlass.

Funeral Services will be held on November 19 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 751 Traffic Way Extension in Arroyo Grande, CA with viewing at 10 am and the funeral service at 11 am. Marshall Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel at 1239 Longbranch Ave., Grover Beach, CA 93433 will handle the burial.

Stories about Jerrie's life may be sent to mommymorgan@comcast.net or write Shirley Morgan, 12915 NE 93rd Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662. Please send any donations to: LDS Humanitarian Fund, 50 E. North Temple St., Room 701, Salt Lake City, UT 84150. These funds are used to help urgent and ongoing requests from countries around the world for people of all faiths and nationalities.

IN MEMORIAM

THANK YOU with LOVE

A big thank you to all our friends in "Leisure Village"; Bassett & Company, Westside Senior's Services Association and friends from as far south as Santa Barbara, CA, for their expressions through cards, letters and telephone calls of love and caring in the passing of my beloved, Art Bassett; and to those who brought food; to those who attended Art's memorial and joined in the celebration of his life.

To Art's family and to mine for your remarkable strength, love and caring. Are there better words than "Thank You?" Yes!! The word is "L O V E."

Wilma ("Willie") Bassett