Services This Friday
Services This Friday
Posted by Susan Heavilin on May 17, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
SAN DIEGO, CA—11 a.m. PST Thursday May. 10, 2012, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer Lieutenant Chris Mosko’s body will arrive from Dover Air Force Base, Del. at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, Calif. during a dignified transfer.
San Diego Police Department, FBI Bomb Squad and Patriot Guard Riders will escort Mosko’s body from Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado to Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary in San Diego, Calif. Media and public wishing to pay their respects may view the motorcade along the route:
FROM: NASNI Fourth Street Gate
TO: The Coronado Bay Bridge
FROM: Highway 5/Exit 16B
TO: Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, 3655 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
1:00 p.m. PST Friday May. 11, a memorial service will be held at the Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) Chapel, followed by a military funeral and burial at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to attend the memorial service. The memorial service at NBPL Chapel is not open to media and general public. An area will be designated for media to record still or video imagery at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Chris was born in Worcester, MA and from middle school to high school, he attended Eau Claire Memorial High School in Eau Claire, WI. While his family did live in Pittsford, NY, Philly is where Chris said he was from. He graduated from Drexel University, receiving his commission as a U.S. Naval Officer in May 2007 through the University of Pennsylvania NROTC program.
Lt. Mosko will be returning to what he and his wife called home in San Diego, CA May 10, 2012.
As Chris’s memorial service draws closer, friends from his EOD family describe him as kind, a true leader, always with a smile and just an all around great guy. His father, John Mosko, recounts in an online journal how proud he was of his son and of all he had accomplished.
Quote from Family:
“Thank you for recognizing that we must protect our ideals of equal rights to life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. What you [did] allows so many other to pursue their dreams without limits. [You did] this with the pride and integrity you have shown,” written by John Mosko in a Graduation Letter to Chris May 2007.
Posted by Susan Heavilin on May 09, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
John Hickman McAuliffe, 83, died at sea, April 24, 2012, while on a cruise in the South Pacific. He was born in Coronado, CA, to Clifford McAuliffe and Mary Elaine Hickman.
Upon graduation in 1952 from Claremont Men's College, John joined the Navy, retiring in 1973. He then worked as a budget analyst for the San Diego Unified Schools until retiring and moving to Silverdale in 1989.
If you knew Mr. McAuliffe and want to read his entire obit, go to John Hickman McAuliffe.
Source: Kitsap Sun | Bremerton, WA
Posted by Susan Heavilin on May 08, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Last week, Coronado Common Sense published an article about the San Diego—one of the boats used to ferry cars and passengers to and fro Coronado—being dismantled.
eCoronado has published a wonderful article about Joe Ditler and Bruce Muirhead (nephew of the Bruce Muirhead) traveling to the Bay Area to document and record the final days of the San Diego. The expedition was generously funded by Debbie Riddle and Lee Mather Co., Realtors. I think that you will enjoy "A Last Walk On The Decks Of The Ferryboat San Diego".
In perusing the internet, CCS found numerous offers to buy this ferry and restore her or put her in a museum. One woman was desperately trying to purchase the old boat to use as a home. The overall sentiment was that no one wanted to see her destroyed. If the Midway could be made into a museum, why not the San Diego?
Posted by Susan Heavilin on February 21, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Master Woodworker, Family Man
CORONADO – A master woodcarver and builder, Harry Feucht (pronounced “Foyt”) was considered a Gepeto of his time and a genius in the medium of wood.
He was a regular sight at the San Diego County Fair (nee Del Mar Fair) for many, many years representing the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association booth.
Harry wasn’t hard to spot at these functions. He was the fellow always engaged with great animation and articulation in explaining to his audience why wood is such a magic medium to work in.
He could comfortably engage children about wooden toys or discuss the sophisticated planking process of a Peapod rowboat with adults. He never tired of sharing the magic of wood with those who would listen.
A proud craftsman and loving family man, Harry Feucht passed away peacefully on February 1, surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old.
Harry was born August 20, 1923 in Buffalo, New York, to Harry and Louise Feucht. His father was an athletic coach and life-long educator. Harry was the second of three children.
Following his graduation from high school in 1942, Harry enrolled in the Industrial Education program at Buffalo State Teachers College.
He entered the Navy several months later and was eventually based in San Francisco. He operated in the South Pacific Theatre of World War II.
After the war, Harry returned to Buffalo and "Buf State" to complete his Industrial Arts degree. He graduated in 1948 and spent the next six years building houses in the Buffalo area.
A life-long woodworker, Harry thrived in that element from a young boy under his father’s direction, and continued as an active member of local woodworker groups in San Francisco and San Diego throughout his long life.
He and his young family moved to California in 1955 to begin his teaching career. Throughout this time period Harry remained active in projects as small as a child’s wooden toy to full-sized houses. Harry taught wood shop for more than 30 years in Castro Valley. He retired in 1983, but remained busy on multiple projects involving his love of all things wood until his final days.
Harry was very knowledgeable about all types of wood and their history. Through extreme awareness and sensitive touch he relied on his hands and eyes to create wood products exploring the range of the practical and the artistic, and of all sizes and designs.
He once said, “Every piece of wood is different. It feels differently, it smells differently, and often what you do with that piece of wood is influenced strongly by the strength and grain of what you’re working with. Wood is alive.”
Harry was also was a member of the National Guard Medical Services Corps, retiring in 1983 at the rank of Major. He moved his family to Coronado in 1985, where they remain today.
Harry joined the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) in 1985, and began another long career as an avid hobbyist and part-time professional woodworker building furniture; doing remodeling and restoration work; and creating wonderful wooden toys, games, puzzles, and child-size furniture for children and medical facilities.
He especially enjoyed his long association with the craftsmen in the San Diego area through personal friendships and the SDFWA. Harry was also very proud of his long time efforts to organize and support the annual Design in Wood Exhibition at the San Diego County Fair, since it visually showcased the fine craftsmanship of local woodworkers and others across the country.
Harry is survived by his former wife Jackie Donlyn Feucht of Coronado; sisters Barbara Randell (Indiana); and Jean Lindburg (Florida); two sons, Harry VanEvery (Darlene), Virginia; and Ron Feucht, San Diego; and daughter Cheryl Woodhouse (Donald), Coronado.
He is also survived by four grandchildren, Ian Coutts, Christopher VanEvery, and Nolan and Avery Woodhouse.
Harry Feucht will be buried at sea with full military honors at a private gathering of immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his name to KPBS Public Broadcasting, 5200 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182.
Posted by Susan Heavilin on February 21, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
It was a blustery day on Tuesday, a very blustery day. The kind of day when you just want to stay at home and cover up your head. But though the weather wasn’t cooperating, it was a very special day, too. Because on Tuesday, February 7th, Coronado became the 100th city across the nation to be designated by the National Weather Service to be Tsunami Ready and also Storm Ready. Or as Jacqui Hardt, CERT President, dubbed it . . . the “centennial city”.
So we trudged out to the beach that day and it was much like what I would imagine a sand storm in the Sahara Desert might feel like . . . only a lot colder. And there was not a soul in sight anywhere near the Coronado Beach Lifeguard Tower where the ceremony was to take place. And that’s when Lifeguard Captain Sean Carey stepped out of thin air and beckoned us into the Lifeguard Service Building. “Plan B” was much cozier than the original plan on a day such as Tuesday.
The firefighters and lifeguards were well represented at the back of the room.
Councilwoman Barbara Denny was already at the podium speaking. She had worked with Fire Chief Mike Blood (who is not only in charge of the firefighters but also the lifeguards) in putting the plan into action.
Coronado Fire Chief Mike Blood spoke next . . .
. . . followed by Vickie Nadolski, National Weather Service Western Region Director. Ms Nadolski shared how she had been present at the very first Tsunami Ready designation ceremony in Ocean Shores, Washington and now she was speaking at the 100th designation ceremony in Coronado, California. That pretty much covers the Pacific Coast as far as the United States is concerned and in just a little more than ten years!
Roger Pierce and Alex Tardy, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) meteorologists, also spoke. Mr. Pierce presented the framed certificate to the City of Coronado.
Left to right: Alex Tardy, Fire Chief Mike Blood, City Mgr Blair King,Councilwoman Barbara Denny, Vickie Nadolski, Mayor Casey Tanaka, Roger Pierce, Councilman Mike Woiwode, Jeff Lorens (NWS Western Region Tsunami Program Mgr), Councilman Al Ovrom | Photo by Susan Heavilin
Left to right: Alex Tardy, Fire Chief Mike Blood, City Mgr Blair King, Councilwoman Barbara Denny, Vickie Nadolski, Roger Pierce | Photo by Susan Heavilin
And then all the attendees were invited to have a piece of yummy cake. Not a bad day after all.
Posted by Susan Heavilin on February 10, 2012 in Be Informed, Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
You know it's going to be some kind of special day when you round a corner in Coronado and run smack into the scene above. Modern day meets American Revolution. And it was one incredibly special day.
On Saturday, January 28th, the California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (CSSDAR) dedicated a marker in Centennial Park to commemorate The Birthplace of Naval Aviation. The DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America's future through better education.
There was magic in the air as current patriots serving in the Navy met with descendents of American Revolution patriots to pay homage to the aviators who made American history. And though the Naval officers wore their medals proudly, it was generally agreed that they were out-“bling”ed by the ladies of the DAR.
Leslie Ann Pfeifer, CCSDAR State Historian, started the program off by welcoming all the guests and Barbara Goble Volker, CSSDAR State Chaplain gave the invocation. CSSSAR Color Guard Commander William Tisch and his Guardsmen led the Presentation of Colors. (SAR stands for Sons of the American Revolution.)
Presentation of Colors by CSSSAR Color Guard
Six notable members, from the Navy and Coronado City Council, gave opening speeches. I regret that I did not get a photo of RADM John “Mac” McLaughlin, USN Retired from the USS Midway Museum. He was charismatic and gave a lively speech.
Photos by Susan Heavilin
Mr. Christian Esquevin, Director of Library Services, gave a brief yet informative history of Naval Aviation.
CSSDAR State Historian Leslie Ann Pfeifer and CSSDAR State Regent Karon Jarrard dedicated the plaque and the CSSSAR shot their muskets over the San Diego Bay. The smell of gunpowder wafted over the crowd, reminisce of what it must have been like in days of yore. I would dare to say that it sent chills through the spine of nearly everyone present.
Photo by Susan Heavilin
After the ceremony, speakers gathered around the plaque to finish their conversations. The large stone displaying the plaque was handpicked by State Historian Leslie Ann Pfiefer from the Coronado beach.
Photo by Susan Heavilin, La Jolla DAR Secretary
Members of the La Jolla DAR (l-r): Jan Thoresen; Charlotte Perry, Regent; Linda Phillips, Vice Regent; Barbara Denny, Chaplain
Photo by Susan Heavilin
Then it was on to the Winn Room of the Coronado Public Library for more celebration. Councilmembers Barbara Denny and Mike Woiwode accepted the certification given to Lauren Wasserman, Interim Director of Public Services, for all his help in getting things ready for the ceremony.
Library Director Chrisian Esquevin was given a certificate for his part in the program. He invited the guests to view the Naval Aviation display in the front hall.
Then the ceremonial cake—with the plaque image displayed on top—was cut and the guests enjoyed cake and beverages. The guests had come from all over California and there were many introductory conversations. Yes, it was a very special day indeed.
La Jolla DAR Chaplain Barbara Denny and California State Regent Karon Jarrard take a pause in their conversation to pose for a photo.
Posted by Susan Heavilin on February 03, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
CORONADO - Johnny Downs Jr. was born in Hollywood, California to a famous Hollywood actor. He entered the seminary with aspirations of becoming a priest. He owned a small chain of restaurants in Sweden. But, the signposts of his life steered him in many directions before he discovered his real passion was teaching young children, which he did until the very end.
John Gerald Downs Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1944 to John and June Downs. He was the only son amongst five siblings. John passed December 24 after a brief battle with cancer. He died at his home, surrounded by family and close friends at the age of 67.
His father was a star of Vaudeville, the Broadway stage, the big screen and TV. Johnny Downs Sr. was a child actor in the original “Our Gang” comedy series (1923-1926), and went on to star opposite such actors as Ronald Reagan and Judy Garland. While the senior Downs had almost 100 film credits, he was better known for his singing and dancing.
In 1953 he retired from show business and moved his young family to Coronado. He hosted a popular television cartoon show for more than a decade with his signature greeting, “Howdy, howdy, howdy.”
Johnny Downs Jr. went to Sacred Heart Parish School and then University High School (Class of ’63). He attended college at Gonzaga University, and then entered the seminary at the University of San Diego, where he studied for three years for the priesthood before changing his major to philosophy.
He graduated with a degree in philosophy and an impulsive desire to see the world. He went to Germany, where he attended the University of Heidelberg for two years, majoring in philosophy and religious studies. In his spare time he took odd jobs in restaurants, hospitals, and teaching English before deciding to explore the world of culinary arts.
A quick study, and blessed with his father’s good looks and charm, John began to absorb every aspect of the restaurant industry. He attended an international chef school in Sweden, and then opened three restaurants in that country, offering a wide variety of American dining experiences to his customers.
Impassioned about his career, John worked 18-hour days for nine years before a collapsed lung convinced him to return to Coronado and his family.
Once back in Coronado John decided to get his teaching credential (1979), and it was in this field that he found his greatest professional gratification. John began teaching at the Tiffany Elementary School in Bonita, and then transferred to the tougher challenges of the Lauderbacht School in Chula Vista. He was there for 18 years before moving to Vista Square Elementary School, where he worked the final five years of his teaching career.
John specialized in math, language and science and was adored by his many young students. He was rewarded as “Teacher of the Year” for his efforts. John had retired from teaching in June 2011, just six months before his untimely death.
John found an unexpected treasure in 2001 when he met and fell in love with another teacher, Lila Ivanova, from Kiev, Ukraine. They were married in 2006 and resided in Coronado, a place John always considered his personal paradise and one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. “Meeting Johnny was the greatest single moment for me,” said Lila. “Our ten years together were the best years of my life.”
“I remember in 1965 my parents let my brother Johnny take me to the Beatles Concert at Balboa Park,” remembered sister Reene. “I was only nine then. My brother was such a good guy. He had this marvelous free spirit and was a one-of-a-kind person. A decade separated us in age, and he was gone so many years, but I dearly loved my big brother.”
Sister Mary was the oldest of the Downs children. She recalled her brother visiting her in Germany. “Johnny came to visit us in Waldorf,” she said. “It was Christmas 1972 and he made this grand entrance in his classic Porsche. In the back seat he had his gift for my children, a real Las Vegas one-armed bandit.
“Yes, a slot machine with a bag of Swedish Kroner to feed it,” she recalled fondly. “That slot machine followed us around the world and became one of our icons for Johnny. His gift embodied one of his favorite sayings that revealed so much of his compassion and love for others: ‘PAY IT FORWARD.’”
Johnny passed away during the Christmas holiday season, prompting his sister Mollie to write a poem, part of which included: “Snowflakes are with us for far too short a time … just like John.” While the Downs children had married and gone their separate ways over the years, John’s illness brought them all together once again. That pleased John very much in his final moments.
John Downs is survived by his wife Lila, and sisters Mary Hodgson (Bob) of Columbia, Missouri; Claudia Flint (Gart) of Newport Beach; Mollie Curtis (Dale) of Coronado; and Reene Faulstich (John) of Encinitas.
Private services were held and John’s ashes were scattered in the water off the rocks in front of the Hotel del Coronado – the place where he and Lila were married, and a stretch of beach that had brought John so much joy in life. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to San Diego Hospice.
Posted by Susan Heavilin on February 03, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Source: Voice of San Diego | Andrew Donohue, Editor
Posted by Susan Heavilin on January 30, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
CORONADO – Vietnam was a long way from Coronado. Doctor Frank Tiffany had that thought many times while serving in country as a Green Beret combat medic with the U.S. Special Forces. One of his jobs was to befriend the indigenous Montagnard hill tribe people and seek their support in fighting the enemy.
Frank Tiffany served in the Army from 1967 until 1970 before entering into a medical career that lasted more than 35 years. He died December 20, 2011 at his home in Coronado. He was 65.
After high school Frank volunteered to join the United States Army. He performed parachute training at Fort Benning, GA, and also trained at the US Army Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, NC. Frank completed his Special Forces medical training at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He earned his Green Beret and was assigned to the 10th Group US Army Special Forces at Bad Tölz, Germany.
There was a war going on and Frank wanted to be of greater help to his country. He wasted no time in applying for transfer to 5th Group Special Forces in the Republic of Vietnam. As a medical corpsman he served as a rifle and parachute-qualified sergeant in the Special Forces, receiving wounds from enemy fire while providing aid to fallen comrades.
He served with A-team at Dak Pek, and then performed a special mission for the Walter Reed Hospital Research program. Upon completing that assignment Frank volunteered for service with MIKE Force (Mobile Strike Force) IV.
MIKE was a Special Forces unit that worked as individuals or in small teams within the indigenous Montagnard hill tribe people. The hill people were recruited by U.S. Special Forces to serve as front-line fighters alongside U.S. Army troops during the war.
The Communist Vietnamese government targeted the Montagnards as traitors and U.S. spies both during and after the war. They, and their American associates, including members of the American medical team such as Frank Tiffany, had a tremendously dangerous time of it during the war.
Frank was released from active duty in 1970 with an Honorable Discharge at the rank of Sergeant. For his contributions to his country Frank Tiffany was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” a Purple Heart, and an Army Combat Medical Badge – the latter awarded to medics who went about their business under enemy fire.
Frank was also presented a Presidential Unit Citation and Meritorious Unit Citation, along with a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, a Vietnam Service Ribbon and Vietnamese Campaign Ribbon with National Defense Ribbon.
Born in Suzurandai, Japan, February 17, 1946, Frank’s father, Frank Rupert, was an American POW held near Kobe, Japan. His mother, Yoshiko, was the youngest daughter of a British Parsee father and a Japanese mother.
Initially after leaving Japan the family lived in Pennsylvania. Later on Yoshiko married a Navy pilot and the family moved to Coronado where Frank played football for Coronado High School. He graduated from CHS in 1964.
After high school Frank attended two years of school at the College of San Mateo before transferring to the University of California San Diego as a math major.
In 1975 he graduated from the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine. While there he received the Roche Award for outstanding medical student. He was also a member of the AOA National Medical Honor Society, which admits the top five percent of students from their class.
While studying at the UCLA School of Medicine Frank earned a Postgraduate Certificate. He completed his internship in 1976 and his Residency in 1978. Both were completed at Los Angeles County General Hospital in the fields of internal and emergency medicine.
Doctor Tiffany later served as director of Adult Ambulatory Care and assistant chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance.
Frank met his wife Barbara while working in the emergency department at Long Beach community Hospital. They married in 1985 and later that year moved to Wyoming where they found a rural area in need of a Doctor. “Frank was very excited the first time he was paid for his services in buffalo meat,” recalled Barbara.
Less than two years after the move an accident resulting in a fractured back left Dr. Tiffany paralyzed and in a wheelchair. With excellent physical therapy, and much courage on his part, he was walking with assistance within six months.
It was during this time the couple moved to Reno, NV where Dr. Tiffany joined a successful medical group. Being on call and having to get up and go to the hospital in the middle of the night, however, proved too strenuous for him. It was decided a change would have to be made. Later he would practice in Las Vegas before returning to San Diego.
Frank returned home to Coronado in 1998 and had resided here since. At the time of his passing Dr. Tiffany was director of Horizon Hospice of Poway and worked in Dr. James McSweeney’s office in San Diego.
In 2000 Dr. Tiffany was listed in the National Registry of Who’s Who in Medicine and was selected Top Doctor in San Diego by the International Association of Internists in 2010.
Medicine was Dr. Tiffany’s true calling. He was an excellent diagnostician and believed that patient care should be very individualized. Patients were given his home phone number and encouraged to use it if they had questions or problems. “Rarely was there a night without patient calls,” said his wife. “Frank also took care of friends, neighbors and co-workers’ families.”
Doctor Frank Tiffany is survived by his wife Barbara Tiffany and mother Yoshiko Tiffany, both residents of Coronado. He is also survived by a daughter, Adrienne Herro, of Northern California.
A memorial service will take place Saturday, January 21, from 2-4 p.m. at the Coronado Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, “In Memory of Dr. Frank Tiffany” (4899 Belfort Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256).
Posted by Susan Heavilin on January 13, 2012 in Passages | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Recent Comments