“The Final Flight” 2016
….. In Remembrance …..
In Honor of Those Who Departed On Their “Final Flight”
[Scroll Down For Complete Obituary]
2016
Janet Pizzo Summers & Jon Summers – November 30, 2016
Ronald Phillip “Ron” Winiker – October 2, 2016
Julio “Jules” Nestor-Hubert – August 19, 2016
Harry Smock – August 5, 2016
Sharon Grashuis – July 31, 2016
Maria Hartman – July 29, 2016
Hollis Loyd Harris – July 14, 2016
Tom Borders – June 23, 2016
Peter Villano – June 8, 2016
Nancy Porter Grantham – June 5, 2016
Elisabeth Gyllman – May 7, 2016
Janice Marie Quinn – April 27, 2016
Wolfgang “Peter” Reinert – April 19, 2016
George Wai – April 10, 2016
Glenn Smith – April 10, 2016
Tony Bond – April, 2016
David M. Bulmer – March 31, 2016
Kenneth W. Healy – March 23, 2016
Kara Christine Lewis – February 21, 2016
Janet Pizzo Summers & Jon Summers – November 30, 2016
Janet Pizzo Summers and her husband Jon are among the people confirmed deceased as a result of the fires that erupted across Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Jim Summers, Jon Summers’ brother, reported the news on a Facebook page the family set up after the couple could not be found this week. He wrote that the Sevier County medical examiner confirmed Thursday afternoon that “two of the bodies found in North Chalet Village were Jon and Janet Summers.”
The Summers’, both of whom were 61, were visiting the resort town of Gatlinburg for a birthday celebration with their adult sons, Branson, Wesley and Jared, when the fires exploded on Monday.
We mourn the recent passing of Jon Rosson Summers and Janet Pizzo Summers, his wife and partner for 26 years. Both were 61 years old.
Jon grew up in Murfreesboro and graduated from Riverdale HS. He already knew he wanted to be an architect, having designed the sign for the high school that still stands to this day. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, graduating with a degree in Architecture in 1979, and enjoyed a 37 year career. As a 10 year partner with brg3s Architects, he worked as a member of the health care planning group, focusing on projects for Methodist Health Care in and around Memphis. Summers recently began work on a new Shelby County Health Department building in the Medical District, and also was involved with the new emergency department and front entry at Memphis Veterans Medical Center; a new Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital pediatric clinic in Jackson, Tennessee; and a Methodist South Hospital emergency department expansion. Jon also was involved with the design of the West Cancer Center and the new emergency room at Methodist University Hospital. Jon’s hobbies included golf, where he gleefully beat his brothers annually or whenever the chance arose.
Janet Summers grew up in Waco, Texas, where she was known for an adventurous spirit. Her career included working as a Flight Attendant for World Airways. Janet was an entrepreneur, involved in several small business startups, including sales and manufacturing of Daddy’s Hot Stuff. She took time off to raise her 3 sons, Branson and twins Jared and Wesley. For the last several years she has been a reservation agent for Disney Dining. Janet had a positive and caring spirit for people. Her Italian heritage was instrumental in her love of life, family and cooking.
Jon and Janet were not only passionate about their careers but were also passionate about teaching and raising their sons to have an excellent work ethic. When their sons took an interest in music at the age of 13, both parents poured their hearts, souls and resources into assisting the children and nurturing the obvious talent that producers and other musicians saw in the boys. They have always encouraged their sons to follow their dreams.
Jon was predeceased by his father, Dr. James Mouzon Summers in 1955, and his mother, Marie Jackson Summers Kerr, who died in 1968. He is survived by his two brothers, his sister, nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his cousin and mentor, and his aunt, who adopted Jon’s family following the death of Marie, and who has been the mother figure in his life for over 50 years. He is survived by cousins all of whom are considered brothers and sisters in the extended family.
Janet is survived by her sister, her three nieces, and her cousins. Both are survived by hundreds of friends from around the country. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Ronald Phillip “Ron” Winiker
October 4, 1927 – October 2, 2016
Ron was born October 4, 1927, and died peacefully October 2, 2016, in Patagonia, Chile, two days before his 89th birthday. Ron was born in Alameda, CA, to parents Ronie and Dolores Winiker. He grew up in Alameda and Oakland, CA. In his youth he worked as a stevedore at the docks, cutting hiking trails in Yosemite and for a while for the Southern Pacific Railroad. At a young age he acquired a pilot’s license, before he even had a driver’s license, and later owned his own plane. Ron became a commercial airline pilot and flew for Trans Ocean Airways and World Airways. He was an accomplished diver and photographer and took many underwater photographs around the world including the Maldives, the Red Sea, and the Galapagos Islands. Ron was a regular at Cowell’s Beach where he made lifelong friends. His routine was to walk or jog to the river mouth and back, swim from the cove to the lifeguard tower, sit with friends including Wes Reed and discuss world events, politics and tell stories of his world travels. He enjoyed his daily visits to Gilda’s on the wharf where he could be seen sitting at the counter joking and laughing with the waitresses. Malio, Dino and the staff were a second family to him. Ron took up the dangerous sport of underwater cave diving and took beautiful photographs of underwater cave formations in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Many of his pictures were published in National Geographic magazine. Late in his life his favorite place was in Patagonia, Chile, where he rode horses, enjoyed the beauty and had made many friends, some that he would refer to as “his angels”. His last wishes were to spread his ashes in Patagonia where he rode horses. Ron had many friends all over the world and his knowledge of the world and his great sense of humor will be greatly missed. There will be a small celebration of Ron’s life for his friends on October 27, 2016 at 3:00pm to 4:30pm at Gilda’s on the wharf.
(Reprinted From the Santa Cruz Sentinal)
May Ron rest in Peace, he will be missed by his entire World Airways Family.
Julio “Jules” Nestor-Hubert
June 12, 1957 – August 19, 2016
Julio “Jules” Nestor-Hubert, 59, of North Charleston, boarded his final flight August 19, 2016. Born in St. Martin, he is the son of Charles and Mabel Nestor-Hubert. Jules served his country in the United States Navy and worked for many years for World Airways. He was currently the owner and operator of AlphaQuad Systems. Jules loved computers, learning and researching his family geneology. He is survived by his parents, Charles and Mabel Nestor-Hubert of St. Martin; sisters, Josiane Windfield and Lucy Ewing, both of New York, Ann Roman and husband Danny of Virginia; brother, Charles Hodge and sister, Mylene Munis, both of St. Martin; friend, Annette Sellers of North Charleston. Jules is also survived by his nieces and nephews. Jules is predeceased by his brother-in-law, Mervin Windfield.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. in MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, GOOSE CREEK CHAPEL. A prayer service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy can be submitted or viewed online at www.mcalister-smith.com.
Jules will be missed by his World Airways Family.
Harry Smock
September 17, 1931 – August 5, 2016
Harold “Harry” Smock, age 84, of Napa, California, was born on September 17, 1931 in Greencastle, Indiana. He boarded his Final Flight on August 5, 2016. Harry served in the United States Air Force for 22 years. He was an avid golfer. Harry is survived by his wife Carolyn.
A Graveside Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held on Monday, August 15 at 2:30pm at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, in Dixon, CA.
Condolences may be sent to Claffey and Rota funeral home
Sharon Grashuis
July 31, 2016
Sharon Grashuis boarded her Final Flight on July 31, 2016. A Memorial Service will be conducted on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at 11:00 am at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 4814 Papermill Rd., Marietta, GA 30067. Please RSVP to mailto:grashuis@gmail.com with the number attending. The family requests in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Maria Hartman
July 29, 2016
Maria Hartman, boarded her Final Flight on July 29, 2016, at her home in Hungary after suffering a heart attack. Maria was a dedicated World Airways Operations Representative in Europe for many years and will always be remembered by her World Airways Family.
Hollis Loyd Harris
November 25, 1931 – July 14, 2016
Hollis Loyd Harris, a resident of Peachtree City, Georgia since 1969, died on July 14, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
He is survived by his daughter, Patti Harris Ayers of Peachtree City, his sons David (wife Leigh Ann) of Atlanta, and Jeff Harris of Marietta; his grandchildren, Rachel Harris Ragan (husband Ben) of Hartsville, SC, Michael Hollis Harris (wife Kayci) of Madison, Wisconsin, Jackson Ayers and Mitchell Ayers of Peachtree City; and great-grandchildren Liam Ragan and Selah Ragan of Hartsville, SC. He is also survived by his brother John Harris (wife Gaye) of Peachtree City, his sister-in-law Janice Entrekin Griffin of Lakeland, Florida, and his brother-in-law Cleve Entrekin (wife Kathy) of Carrollton, Georgia; and by nieces Beth Parker (husband Bart), Missy Scott, Andrea Scott, Aimee Entrekin, and by nephews Wes Harris (wife Charmaine), Doug Scott (wife Sheila), Rob Scott (wife Kim), and Matthew Entrekin (wife Skye) and numerous great nieces, great nephews and many friends.
Preceding him in death was his wife for over 55 years, Joyce Entrekin Harris, his parents Clarence Loyd and Nellie Ruth Harris, and by his grandson, David Loyd Harris, Jr.
Hollis was born in Carrollton, Georgia on November 25, 1931, to parents Clarence and Nellie Ruth Harris. He graduated from Carrollton High School in 1949 and attended Auburn University from 1949 to 1950. He joined the U.S. Army in 1951, serving as battery commander in Germany during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant in 1954. Returning to Georgia, Hollis enrolled in Georgia Tech’s Aeronautical Engineering program where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961.
Hollis’ 51-year airline career began in 1954 as a transportation agent at Delta Air Lines while taking full-time classes at Georgia Tech. In 1961 while working in Delta’s engineering department, he was promoted to managerial positions. Between 1965 and 1969, he progressed from Manager of Facilities to Director, and eventually became Assistant Vice President of the Facilities Department, which incorporated the various functions of planning, engineering, and constructing Delta’s system-wide facilities, including airport terminals, hangars, reservations offices, city ticket offices, general office and fuel storage facilities, and ground support equipment. By 1971, Harris was head of the Aircraft Engineering Department, and in 1973, he became Senior Vice President of Passenger Service. After a series of promotions, in 1987 Harris was named President/COO and a member of Delta’s Board of Directors, where he served for four years. During this time, Harris helped launch Delta’s new service to Seoul, South Korea in anticipation for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Hollis retired from Delta Air Lines in 1990 after a 36-year career.
He then joined Continental Airlines as Chairman, President, and CEO with the task of helping the airline avert bankruptcy. Due to several disagreements with the Board about how the airline should be restructured, Harris resigned from Continental in September 1991 and joined Air Canada as Chairman, President, and CEO in 1992. The following year, after returning to serve on the Board at Continental as part of a plan for Air Canada to acquire 27.5% of Continental, Harris and the Air Partners Group brought Continental out of bankruptcy through strategic restructuring of the airline. While at Air Canada, Harris and Steve Wolf signed a “strategic agreement” between Air Canada and United Airlines that produced what became the Star Alliance – the largest airline group in the world. In 1994, the Financial Times of Canada named Harris the “Number One CEO.”
In 1999, Harris joined World Airways as Chairman, President, and CEO. During his five years at World, Harris cut costs by relocating the airline’s headquarters from Dulles International Airport to Peachtree City, Georgia, and similar to his experience at Continental and Air Canada, Harris led the restructuring team in providing several consecutive quarters of profitability before retiring in May of 2004.
During his time with the airline industry, Hollis was an avid traveler, visiting all seven continents. He never lost his love of flying and would get on an airplane every day if he could. He also enjoyed playing golf for many years and played with numerous celebrities such as U. S. President Gerald Ford and astronaut Neil Armstrong. He was a member of Conquistadores del Cielo since 1987, where he would gather with other accomplished aviation and aerospace executives each September at the “A Bar A Ranch” in Encampment, Wyoming.
In recognition of his distinguished airline career, Hollis was inducted into the Georgia Tech College of Engineering Hall of Fame in 2004 and he was enshrined into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2004, the Chamber of Commerce named Hollis the Fayette County Business Person of the Year. Other awards include the Boy Scouts of America Golden Eagle Award in 2012 and receiving the Carrollton High School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015. He served as a board member of many organizations including: Canada-Korea Business Council, the British-American Business Council, the Canada-U.S. Committee on National Issues, the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association, the Georgia Tech National Advisory Board, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Air Advisory Board of GATX Capital Corporation. He was a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He has been a member of the Peachtree City First Presbyterian Church since 1969, where he served as an Elder.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, July 18th at First Presbyterian Church, 206 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, Georgia.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 17 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Mowell Funeral Home, 200 Robinson Road, Peachtree City, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Piedmont Fayette Hospital Cancer Wellness in memory of Hollis Harris. Address is Piedmont Healthcare Foundation, 2001 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Carl J Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City-www.mowellfuneralhome.com
Tom Borders
January 25, 1932 – June 23, 2016
Captain Tom Borders departed on his Last Flight at 10:00am, June 23, 2016. Tom became a member of the World Airways Family on July 12, 1962, at the age of thirty, and was assigned to fly the Douglas DC-6 on the domestic Logair operation. He transitioned to the Boeing 707 upon its introduction to World and he upgraded to Captain in 1967.
Tom’s performance on the Boeing 707, Boeing 727, Douglas DC-8, and the Boeing 747 was rewarded with promotions to Instructor/Check Airman on those aircraft. When the Company contracted with McDonnell-Douglas to purchase nine new Douglas DC-10-30 aircraft in 1978, Tom was one of the first selected for training in Long Beach, California, to be an Instructor/Check Airman on the new aircraft.
Many of the World Airways crewmembers that were with the Company between 1980 and 2002, when Tom retired, referred to him as “Mr. DC-10” and continue today to praise the training they received from him. Some have commented that Tom’s mentoring enhanced not only their career at World Airways but also their opportunity to move on to positions with some of the aviation industry’s great airlines flying the most modern aircraft in operation today.
Tom served the Company for may years as an FAA Approved Designated Pilot Check Airman and upon reaching the FAA mandatory retirement age for pilots he transitioned to the Flight Engineer position on the DC-10. He mastered this position rapidly and upon the Company’s request the FAA quickly approved him to be a Certified FAA Designated Flight Engineer Examiner.
May Tom’s “Last Flight” have the winds at his back as he ascends to a place where he can crew rest in peace and meet again with all of his WOA friends that have gone before him. A salute to all of them.
Peter Villano
March 17, 1931 – June 8, 2016
Capt. Peter Villano, retired Vice President of Flight Operations at World Airways, departed on his Final Flight West on the morning of June 8, 2016, in Danville, CA.
Born on March 17, 1931, Peter is survived by his loving wife Veronica, children Jeffry, Paul and Joanna, his five Grandchildren, and five Great-Grandchildren.
Pete was passionate about flying, playing tennis, and he enjoyed riding motorcycles. Following a very tough battle with cancer Peter can now can rest in peace. He will be missed by his World Airways Family and friends.
Nancy Porter Grantham
June 5, 2016
On Sunday evening, June 5, 2016, Nancy Grantham left this world to begin her flight with the Ravens. Her passing was peaceful and painless. She left with a smile on her face.
Nancy came into this world in 1944, to parents John and Pat Porter in West Vancouver, B.C. She was the second child in a family that included a sister and four brothers. She played basketball and skied the mountains of British Columbia and enjoyed her Pacific Northwest childhood.
When she was 19 she went to San Francisco and after a job with a bank she applied for a job as a stewardess with World Airways in Oakland. This led to over 9 years of flying with the airline and was fodder for a great many stories she was happy to share with friends and family. She spent over a year flying soldiers in and out of Vietnam and was even “loaned” by World Airlines to El Al Airlines to serve in Israel.
When she left the airline she married and moved to the island of Kauai, and had three children, Shannon, Kelly and Patrick. When the marriage ended, she decided to remain on Kauai and raise her family. While working as the Developer’s Rep. at Nihi Kai Villas, Nancy met Bruce Grantham and within a year they married and her life took off on another wonderful adventure. She got her Real Estate Broker’s license and began a vacation rental company called Grantham Resorts. Over the next 25 years she guided this company to become one of the largest and most successful companies of its kind on Kauai, making many friends and acquaintances along the way – people remember her infectious smile and never ending chatter to this day.
Nancy was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1980s (the first of five different types of cancer she contracted and beat during her lifetime) and that resulted in her becoming very involved in the National Cancer Society, serving on their Board of Directors and as the Honorary Chairperson of the “Relay for Life” in Hanapepe the first year it was held there. In 1994, she was named the SBA’s “Woman in Business” for Kauai. This was an award she took very seriously as women were just beginning to be recognized in business. In 2006, Nancy sold the business to Johnathan Parrish and retired to do things she had put off. She went to KCC for a term, read copious books on many subjects, visited with friends, and traveled with Bruce.
In June of 2015, she was told by her doctors that she probably had at best 6 months to live. She took that in the same stride she took everything else. She began to read and study everything she could about the two diseases that she had and the drugs she was taking. Nancy also redoubled her efforts to spend as much time as possible with her 9 beautiful grandchildren. They were probably the most important thing in her life.
On June 5, 2016, she felt she had done enough in this life and accepted the Raven’s gift to fly off to new adventures. Given all of her professional accomplishments, her “Ohana” was always her greatest joy. Nancy is lovingly survived by husband Bruce; son Patrick and wife Jina Thompson and their children Blaise, Lilly, Mia, Annabella and Bear; daughter Kelly and husband Tony Howard and their children Finley and Maddox; daughter Shannon Scott and her children Luke and Scarlett; and by brothers Michael, David, Greg, Mark, and her sister Susan Nelson.
Her Mahalo Celebration in the Park will be held in Poipu at the Botanical Gardens across from Spouting Horn, on Sunday, July 10th from 2 to 4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF.org) may be made in Nancy’s memory.
Elisabeth Gyllman
July 5, 1946 – May 7, 2016
Janice Marie Quinn
June 22, 1939 – April 27, 2016
Janice Marie Hoekman Quinn was born on June 22, 1939, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The oldest of four children born to Jennie and Arthur Hoekman, a farming family of Dutch descent, she was baptized in the Colton Christian Reformed Church in Colton, South Dakota. In 1951, she and her family moved to a farm near Peoria, Iowa. Janice graduated from Peoria Christian Grade School in 1953, and from Pella Christian High School in 1957. In 1960, Janice graduated from Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For many years, she gave aid and comfort to the sick in this occupation.
Janice also became a flight attendant in the golden age of air travel. She flew around the globe with PanAm, TWA, American Airlines, and World Airways, visiting places as far-flung as Bulgaria, China, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, and Rwanda. Many of her loved ones traveled with her to exotic locations. Additionally, for more than 20 years, she continued to work between flights as a nurse at New York Hospital and New York University Hospital. As much as Janice loved to travel, she was devoted to her family and her home. At a party in Manhattan in the 1960s, she met James Quinn, a native New Yorker who worked in advertising. They married on December 14, 1968, and enjoyed more than 47 years together. They raised their two sons, James and Geoffrey, first in New York City and then in Chappaqua, New York.
Well-known for her beautiful smile and caring disposition, Janice also created beauty everywhere around her. She added her lovely soprano to the Chappaqua Choral Group; she enjoyed making nutritious, delicious meals for her family and for friends experiencing illness, injury or other hardships; and her inviting home and garden gave testimony to her taste and attention to detail. Janice and James moved to Woodstock, Georgia, in 1996. Janice was a member of Hillside United Methodist Church, where she served as a greeter at Sunday worship services and enjoyed friendships with other members of the church choir (1998-2006), and more recently, the ladies’ Thursday afternoon Bible study and the Wednesday evening discipleship class.
Janice moved from Atlanta to Boston in 2012 in order to provide full-time care to her younger son, Geoffrey, during his bout with advanced sarcoma—a battle he tragically lost in 2013. Alongside the sorrow of losing her son, Janice found joy in the births of her grandchildren, Brendan and Vienna, and making trips to California to visit with them and her son James and daughter-in-law Alyson.
In January 2015, shortly after Janice was diagnosed with advanced neuroendocrine cancer, her son James organized weekly prayer meetings via teleconference with numerous family and friends spread across four time zones. Janice enjoyed these meetings as opportunities to draw close to God as she listened to loved ones pray for her and share encouraging passages of Scripture, as well as the hymns that her brother Will sang at the conclusion of each prayer meeting. Throughout her 16-month illness, Janice was lovingly cared for by her devoted husband and continued to enjoy frequent visits from her son James and her extended family. Even six months after her diagnosis, she continued to enjoy playing her beloved piano and tending her garden amongst the flowers, shrubs, trees, and her many bird houses. Later, after becoming too ill to care for herself, she continued to find great comfort in playing hymns, filling her home with sweet music in praise of her Savior, whose presence she entered on April 27, 2016. Her husband and remaining son were each holding one of her hands as she breathed her last.
Janice is predeceased by her parents, Arthur Hoekman and Jennie DeHoogh Hoekman, and her son, Geoffrey Quinn. Those remaining to cherish her memory are: Her husband, James Quinn; Her son, James Quinn Jr., along with his wife, Alyson, and their young children, Brendan and Vienna; Her sister, Bernice Haverhals, along with her husband, John, and their daughters, Anne and Mary, Mary’s husband Shane, and their young children, Shane, Stella, and Iva; Her sister, Gerada Gattein, along with her husband, Max, and their children, Stephane and Caroline; and Her brother, Will Hoekman, along with his wife, Dixie, and their children, Scott and Katherine.
Funeral Services were held on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at Hillside United Methodist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. Sosebee Funeral Home, Canton, GA, was honored to serve the family.
Wolfgang “Peter” Reinert
April 24, 1946 – April 19, 2016
It is with a sad heart I write to say that Wolfgang Peter Reinert passed away on Tuesday, April 19th; five days shy of his 70th birthday. Peter, as he was known to the WOA crews lived, worked and retired in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Peter grew up in Germany and worked in banking before coming to the US. He wanted to travel and came to San Francisco in the mid 1970’s. He was hired by World Airways for the first training class in 1977 and flew for a little over three years. Known for his somewhat sarcastic sense of humor he managed to have a good time whenever he was flying. During a crew rest in south FL he met Larry Kannon, the love of his life. Larry had a small event planning business serving the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale area when they first met. Kannon Productions, Inc. grew into the largest party and event planning business under Peter’s direction. He had a good sense of how to run this type of business and the creative flare that was needed to produce grand “Gala’s” as he would say. He kept a huge warehouse filled with props, fabric and mannequins dressed to the nines. When he retired ten years ago the hardest part for him was letting go of all his props.
He was an avid animal lover and always had three or four dogs at his home. They were his family after Larry passed away. Peter had many friends in the Ft. Lauderdale area and leaves a void for those who called him friend. A private memorial will be held in FL in the coming weeks.
Respectively, Diane Soshnik
George Wai
August 11, 1923 – April 10, 2016
George Wai, 92, long-time World Airways Structures Foreman, passed away peacefully in Sacramento on April 10, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was born in Oakland, California on August 11, 1923. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, primarily in Europe, but also in the Philippines. After serving honorably, he returned to Oakland and became a chief airframe mechanic and foreman for two airlines until his retirement. During this time, he married and raised his daughter and son. George loved fishing the Sacramento Delta, taking his family on many trips throughout the West, and worked on home improvement projects into his mid-80’s. George leaves his loving wife Doris of 69 years, beloved daughter Nancy (Glenn), son Dennis (Barbara) and grandchildren Cynthia and Jeanine. He will be missed. Per George’s wishes, there will be a private family service and military internment at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Asian Community Center’s Senior Services Center, 7334 Park City Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831, or to a charity of your choice.
Published in The Sacramento Bee on May 1, 2016
Glenn Smith
April 23, 1931 – April 10, 2016
Glenn E. Smith, a long-time resident of rural Grass Valley, CA, died April 10, 2016 at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. He was 84.
Mr. Smith was born in South Gate, California on April 23, 1931, to Edward Glen and Betty R. Smith. Glenn attended South Gate public schools and Los Angeles City College. He enlisted in the United States Army at the beginning of the Korean War and later served as an Army aviator in both fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. He left the Army as a Captain in 1974, and began his world-wide airline flying career. Glenn resided for various periods in Tokyo; Saigon; Jakarta; Seoul; Luxembourg; Sanaa, Yemen; London and Frankfurt. During his career at World Airways he was a Flight Engineer and participated in the Operation Baby-Lift flights out of Saigon in 1975, crewed with Captain Nick Bountis and First Officer John Dewitt. He retired from flying in 1982.
Mr. Smith was a very active Freemason and twice served as Master of Madison Lodge #23 in Grass Valley, and was its long-time secretary. He was also a life member of VFW Post #10788 in Grass Valley. He was an avid student of the American Civil War and The Indian Wars. His hobbies included writing for publication, the restoration of light aircraft, WW2 military vehicles, and amateur blacksmithing. He had a life-long love of reading, classical music, a good martini, and a fine cigar.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Akiko; sister Sybil Carhart of Grand Terrace, CA; brother David Smith of Arkansas; nephew Ralph Carhart of Fair Oaks, CA; niece Glenda Hensley of Riverside, CA; and several grand nephews and nieces.
In accord with his wishes there will be no memorial service. Arrangements are under the care of Chapel of the Angels Mortuary.
Tony Bond
April, 2016
Tony Bond lived in Frankfurt, Germany, in an apartment above the Baseler Eck Restaurant, a traditional World Airways crew gathering place. Tony had recently undergone heart surgery and passed while completing his rehabilitation. Tony had a long airline career serving Transamerica and World Airways as an Operations Representative in Frankfurt and other locations throughout Europe. His dream was to build a small airline on a Caribbean island and he worked hard to save enough money to fulfill that dream, however his relationship with unscrupulous “business partners” resulted in him losing his savings and his dream.
Tony was a gentleman, well liked and popular with his collegues, and respected by all of the World Airways crews he served. Aviation and betting on British soccer teams were his primary hobbies.
Tony was a dedicated professional and a member of the World Airways Family.
He will be missed by us all.
(Information courtesy of Detlev Anders)
David M. Bulmer
October 9, 1930 – March 31, 2016
David McMillian Bulmer Oct. 9, 1930 – Mar. 31, 2016, Resident of Hayward, California, David McMillian Bulmer passed away on Thursday March 31, 2016 in Hayward, Ca. David was born in Dearborn, Michigan and moved to California when he was 14 years old. He graduated from Alameda High School and attended Cal State East Bay. After serving in the U.S. Army, David enjoyed a 45 year career in the Airlines, starting at Cal Eastern, World Airways, PSA and finally USAir. David is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; devoted children, Barrett of Vallejo and Leslie of Alameda; devoted daughter-in-law Martha of Vallejo. He is also survived by his sister Anne Boyle of Modesto; sister-in-laws Shirley Morrison of Alameda and Barbara Rossi of Mooresville, NC. His generous loving heart will be missed by all who knew him. Friends and Family are invited to a Vigil on Monday April 11, 2016 from 4-8pm at Holy Angels Funeral Center, 1051 Harder Rd. Hayward, Ca. and funeral services on Tuesday April 12, 2016 at 10:30am at All Saints Catholic Church, 22824 2nd Street, Hayward, Ca. Burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center FD 1456 (Published in Contra Costa Times on Apr. 8, 2016)
Kenneth W. Healy
March 9, 1916 – March 23, 2016
San Leandro, California
Kenneth Healy, 100 years of age, passed away peacefully at his home in San Leandro, California, on March 23, 2016. He was born on March 9, 1916, to John P. and Lilian M. Healy in Chicago, Illinois. His family relocated to Montana shortly thereafter and in his pre-teenage years he learned to hunt with his 22 caliber rifle and fell in love with the outdoor life of Montana. His family relocated to Texas during his teen years and he worked with his father in the trucking business. He learned to fly in Texas and when World War II began he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp. Because of his previous flying experience he was accelerated through training and assigned to the Ferry Command where he delivered a variety of aircraft types, P-38s to B-24s, to their departure points for the European and Pacific combat zones. He was stationed in Japan after the war ended and elected to take his separation from active duty in Japan. He immediately joined Chinese National Air Corporation in their efforts to keep China free from the Communist takeover and remained there until the Communist dominance in 1950. He and his family were able to take refuge in Hong Kong and return to the United States later that year. He settled in Texas and tried his hand at raising cattle, chickens, and real estate investment. However, flying was in his blood and it drew him back into commercial aviation. He held flying positions in Nicaragua, Ethiopia, and became the Chief Pilot of the Overseas National Airways, Inc. Pacific division in Oakland, California, in 1959. He joined World Airways, Inc. in the early 1960’s and was promoted to the position of Vice-President of Flight Operations and held that position until his retirement in 1983. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha and his daughter Joan. He is survived by his loving sister Ruth Clay of Glenwood, Arkansas, and her family, as well as relatives in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area.
He was the Captain of the “Last Flight out of Da Nang” and Captain of the first Vietnamese Baby Lift flight into Oakland at the end of the Viet Nam war and will be dearly remembered by so many World Airways coworkers that worked for him and beside him for more than twenty years, especially the fifty or so that helped him celebrate his 100th birthday two weeks prior to his leaving us for a better place. One of his greatest pleasures was flying the B-747 at flight levels above 40,000 feet where he could conserve fuel. March 23rd he took that last flight West and slipped the surly bonds of earth to gain altitudes where he can now reach out and touch the hand of God. He will be missed and long remembered.
Kara Christine Lewis
June 9, 1954 – February 21, 2016
Kara Christine Lewis 51 passed away peacefully on Sunday February 21st, 2016. Born in Providence R.I, she was preceded in death by her parents, Florence (DePetrillo) Madonna and Ralph Madonna Sr. She is survived by her devoted husband Scott Lewis of Cranston, a sister Lucille Ruggieri and her husband Raymond of Massachusetts a brother Ralph Madonna Jr. and his wife Linda of Rhode Island.
Her nephews, Brandon Ruggieri and his wife Rachel, Jared Ruggieri and his wife Tayla, Matthew Madonna, and her niece Lucia Ruggieri, who adored her. She also leaves three great nieces, Sydney, Abby and Reese Ruggieri a great nephew Sonny Ruggieri and many friends from everywhere who loved her dearly.
She loved literature and studied at New York University. She then worked for Pan Am Airlines and Delta Airlines before leaving to work as a software tester for Microsoft in Seattle. She took a job later with Alaska Airlines followed by World Airways where she traveled throughout Asia and Europe.
She was a brilliant mind and a wonderful storyteller who instantly turned strangers into friends. She had a way of captivating anyone she met and had a gift for making you feel that you were her favorite and she loved you best. One of her remarkable talents was that she was able to drop an obscure quote from literature perfectly at any moment and make everyone laugh.
She traveled the world over, living in New York City, London, Rio, San Francisco, Portland, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Rhode Island. Staying in each awhile until the spirit moved her. She met her loving husband Scott and then landed her “dream job” at The University of Rhode Island’s English department, where she continued to awe her Colleagues and her many dear friends there with her knowledge and warmth. She will be sadly missed by all who simply adored her.
All are invited to a memorial service and life celebration at the University of Rhode Island, Swan Hall, 60 Upper College Road, Kingston, on Wednesday, May 4, at 3:00 p.m.
More at: http://www.carpenterjenks.com/obituary/Kara-C.-Lewis/Cranston-RI/1592534#sthash.WyfXONNb.dpuf
One thought on ““The Final Flight” 2016”
I can`t think of a better place to spread his ashes, He definitely was a free spirit. RIP old friend. Lee Huffines