“The Final Flight” 2021
….. In Remembrance …..
In Honor Of Those Who Departed On Their “Final Flight”
(Scroll Down For Complete Obituary)
2021
John (Ski) Czawursky – December 19, 2021
Sarah Pickens Mann – September 24, 2021
Merv Bailey – September 15, 2021
Luis Mallarino
Bonnie Burleson Brady McLoughlin – August 19, 2021
Johnny Wiseman – July 14, 2021
Thao Nguyen – May 21, 2021
Lorraine Claire (Lori) Olson – February 21, 2021
John Herbert Lewis – February 15, 2021
Dave Jean – January 30, 2021
Julie Ann Nickerson Antonelli – January 1, 2021
John (Ski) Czawursky
December 19, 2021
John “Ski” Czawursky boarded his “Final Flight” on December 19, 2021. One of World’s best known and “World Famous” Maintenance Technicians, Ski will be missed by everyone at World Airways.
Always present and always there to support operations and make sure we were “On Time” and “On Schedule”, Ski was a mainstay member of the World Airways Family.
“May He Rest in Peace”
More Information Will Be Provided When It Is Available.
Sarah Pickens Mann
September 24, 2021
Nancy Peppin …..
“It’s with sorrow I’m posting that my best friend Sarah Pickens Mann boarded her “Final Flight” on Friday, September 24th. Sarah was a World Flight Attendant in the 70’s, based in Oakland.”
“Sarah had been battling Lung Cancer for over a year. Sarah boarded her “Final Flight” at her home in Livermore, CA, with her husband David at her side.”
“R.I.P My Sweet Friend”
Merv Bailey
21 December 1940 – September 15, 2021
Captain Merv Bailey boarded his “Final Flight” on September 15, 2021, at his home in Reno, NV. Michael Morgan, who has stayed in touch with Merv, said he had tried to call Merv several times and had gotten no response so he called the Reno Police Department and asked them to check on Merv. The police reported they found him unresponsive at his home. It was reported Merv boarded his “Final Flight” due to natural causes.
Merv was a Veteran who flew as a Navigator/Bombardier on the B-52 and after going to pilot training he flew F-100’s in the Colorado Air National Guard.
Merv was a very private person and his brother Paul, a retired pilot for United Airlines, lives in Florida. When services are scheduled and more information is available it will be provided as soon as it is available
May He Rest in Peace
Luis Mallarino
Luis Mallarino boarded his “Final Flight” in France while on vacation with his daughter.
When more information is available it will be posted here.
May He Rest in Peace.
Bonnie Burleson Brady McLaughlin
February 27, 1946 – August 19, 2021
Bonnie Burleson Brady McLoughlin boarded her “Final Flight” on August 19, 2021.
More Information will be provided when it bocomes available.
Johnny Wiseman
July 14, 2021
I have been advised that Johnny Wiseman boarded his “Final Flight” on July 14, 2021, in San Diego, CA.
Johnny will be deeply missed by his family and by the entire World Airways community. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Jeannie and his entire family at this time.
More information will be provided when it becomes available. May Johnny Rest in Peace.
Thao Nguyen
May 21 – 2021
The World Family has lost a legend. Julie Huynh, Daughter of Thao Nguyen, a long time and historical member of World Airways, reported that Thao boarded his “Final Flight” on May 21, 2021, in San Jose.
Thao was the Station Manager in Bangkok before he moved to become a member of the Saigon Station working alongside Bach Nguyen (no relation) and Saigon Station Manager Phung Nguyen (no relation). When World Airways ceased operations in Saigon, Thao and his family, along with Bach and his family and the other members of the Saigon Base were evacuated on a World DC-8 to Oakland, California.
Due to their considerable language skills, upon arrival in California Thao and Bach both became active in the refugee settlement effort. Due to their established rapport with World flight crews both soon returned to moving airplanes working for Ford Larson. When Ford moved from Operations to Training Thao joined the fledgling Cargo department and Bach became the Oakland Station Manager. In 1985, when World ceased operations in Oakland, Thao and Bob Kirschten from the main office went into the car rental business in San Jose.
Thao was a strong family man, giving and receiving support from his family. His wife was an absolute artist in the business of cake creation. Thao was exceptionally smart and spoke not only Vietnamese and English but also French, Mung, Thai, and several of the dialects. He was an officer in the military and in every respect an officer and a gentleman. Those who knew and worked with him held him in extremely high regard.
Thao will be greatly missed by his family as well as by his World Airways Family. More information will be provided when it becomes available.
Lorraine Claire (Lori) Olson
April 15, 1947 – February 21, 2021
Lorraine Claire (Lori) Olson boarded her “Final Flight” on February 21, 2021, in Napa, CA, following a seven month illness. Her Husband Peter and her Son Christopher saw her through the journey into the arms of her loving Creator.
Lori, who is also known as “Rainy” to her family of origin, was born on April 15, 1947, in Sioux City, IA, to her parents John and Beulah Spakosky. She was nicknamed “Rainy” because her father thought she was a “stormy little girl”. The family also lived in Sioux Falls, SD and Duluth, MN before settling in Eau Claire, WI in 1960. Lori graduated from Regis High School in 1965, and attended the University of Wisconsin, majoring in journalism. In 1970, she struck out for San Francisco, CA to attend Flight Attendant School for World Airways based in Oakland, CA.
For the next 17 years Lori traveled to many continents and exotic cities with World Airways until the company moved their base of operations to Virginia. She had wonderful memories of her travels and made may lifelong friends along the way. While still flying, Lori and Marilyn Moffett were co-owners of “Monkey Business”, a gift shop in Glen Ellen, CA. On her travels she would purchase exotic gift items to stock the shop and then retail them to the public.
On October 21, 1972, Lori married Peter Olson in Eau Claire, WI. They were blessed with their son Christopher in 1979, and spent many years between their two homes in San Francisco and Napa entertaining friends and family. After World Airways Lori began a career in sales as a representative for a specialty card and gift wholesale company. She eventually bought out the company and named it “Paper Alliance”. She employed several representatives in and around the Bay Area until her illness forced her to turn over the reins to one of her representatives. Lori loved meeting people and made many good friends throughout those years.
Lori loved living in her “City by the Bay” and loved sharing it with friends and family who came to visit. She loved all of her canine friends Yukon, Thor, Cinnamon, Cole, Baxter, Timmy, Toby and Billy. Baxter, Toby and Billy still reside with Peter in Napa, CA.
Lori’s sense of humor was infectious and she always made people laugh in spite of themselves. She was always ready for a song or a laugh, and telling a joke even if she forgot the punchline. She was coined “Zany Rainy” by her brother Gary. Lori had a very special relationship with her Grandson Grant, who named her “Gaga”. She took every opportunity to spend time with Grant, taking him to the park, reading to him, and playing games with him. He highlighted her life.
Lori is survived by her husband Peter, her son Christopher (Kelsey) Owen and Grandson Grant, brothers Gary and David Spokosky and sister Susan (Steven) Gould, wonderful nieces and nephews, great cousins, and a host of friends, most especially Cori Scharf. Lori was preceded in death by her parents John and Beulah Spakosky and her sister Jean Schreiber.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Dick Kalman ….. “This is indeed sad news. Lori Olson boarded her “Final Flight” on Sunday, February 21, 2021, in San Francisco, CA. Lori was such a sweetheart and always had that cute smile. Smooth flight Lori. You will leave a big void in the World Airways Family.” If anyone wants to send a card, send to:
Christopher Olson, 2917 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
John Herbert Lewis
February 15, 2021
John Herbert Lewis passed away peacefully at Bayhealth Hospital on February 15, 2021. John was born in Drumright, Okla., the son of the late Monroe Lewis and Vesta Tinnie.
He was a graduate of Drumright High School, and proudly served in the United States Air Force as an aircraft maintainer for 21 years. After retirement from the Air Force, John worked an additional 23 years at World Airways as a materials representative. John was a proud father and husband, but no title gave him more pride than that of “Grandpa.” John was an avid Elvis Presley and NASCAR fan, and enjoyed spending free time with family.
John was preceded in death by his brothers, Donnie and Monroe (Junior.) John is survived by his wife, Margaret K. Lewis; his sons, Presley Ray Lewis of Kansas, John Everett Lewis, and his wife, Stephanie of Florida, Wesley Elvis Lewis, and his wife Crissy of Bear, and Aaron Ashley Lewis, and his wife Jen of Dover; his grandchildren, Bentley, Greyson, Haley, and Ashlynn; his sisters, Eva and Charlotte; and his brother, Paul.
Services are to be held in Drumright, Oklahoma at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Bayhealth Foundation, 640 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901.
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com
Dave Jean
January 30, 2021
Captain Dave Jeane boarded his “Final Flight” on Saturday, January 30, 2021.
Please keep Dave’s Family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.
More information will be provided when it becomes available.
