CLASS BULLETIN BOARD. These are items submitted by your classmates with the most recent on top. For earlier postings (2017-2018) click here. For more recent information, visit the current Bulletin Board.

A committal at sea ceremony is planned for James Duncan, who passed away at his Aptos home following a lengthy illness. He was 82 years old. Born in San Mateo, CA, Jim moved to Vallejo as a youngster and graduated from St. Vincent High School.

He had a lifelong love for the sea, and after apprenticing as a machinist at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, he enrolled in the California Maritime Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering as well as a U. S. Coast Guard license as a third assistant engineer in America’s merchant marines. For two years, Jim sailed on merchant ships to ports in the Orient, Europe, and South America, where he saw duties that included rescues at sea while transporting people, raw materials, and manufactured goods.

Following his sea service, Jim went to work in the marine engineering department at Westinghouse in the Santa Clara Valley. He became a noted engineering specialist in marine propulsion systems as well as land turbines used by the power companies. Jim remained with Northrop Grumman after the company purchased Westinghouse and retired following a career that spanned over 35 years.

He and Patricia, his beloved wife of 56 years, were accomplished travelers, enjoying many destinations which included Europe, China, Turkey and his beloved England, where he had family. He and Pat moved to Aptos, CA 21 years ago, where Jim was a member of Seascape Golf Club. He felt blessed to have made many friends golfing, and missed the camaraderie during his past few years of failing health. He is survived by his wife, Pat Duncan of Aptos; and a host of loving extended family and friends.

He will be scattered at sea off the deck of the maritime academy’s Training Ship Golden Bear (TSGB) in a private ceremony. Any acts of charity can be made in his memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz or the Scholarship Fund of the California Maritime Academy Foundation, Class of 1963.

William "Bill" Chavez was born in Vallejo, CA December 26, 1938. He is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of 56 years. He was the father of Arthur (Aimy) Chavez of Chico, Monica (Kevin) Kendrick of San Francisco, Denise (Steve) Eachus of San Jose, Matt (Kerri) Chavez of Chico, and Jessica (Tom) Alchin of Chico. He is survived by his brother, Chuck and sisters, Norma and Debbie and sisters-in-law, Phyllis and Eileen. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Tony, George, and Ed; and sister, Vilma Landaker. Nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive him.

Employed in the San Francisco Bay Area for over thirty years, Bill was active in supporting local schools, community activist programs, as well as charity groups supporting poor, homeless, and environmental groups.

The Memorial Service will be at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Vallejo on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 10 a.m. Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Vallejo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to your local homeless support group.

Neil Nicholas McCarthy passed away peacefully on September 18, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah of natural causes. Neil was born May 18, 1939, in San Francisco, California to Mary and Nicholas Carter. After his mother remarried he was adopted by his stepfather Frank McCarthy. Neil was married to Lynda Stilts until her passing in 1977; they had three children. Neil married Vivian Call Bamberger in 1980.

Neil described himself as "the Big Dog" and was proud of his title as an Army boxing champion, but the game of basketball was Neil’s passion and he dedicated his life to playing and coaching the sport. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State University in 1965 as a student-athlete, and later went on to earn a master’s degree, with a thesis focused on the art of free-throw shooting. Neil began his coaching career at St Patrick - St Vincent High School in Vallejo, California. He was hired at Weber State University as head coach (1974-1985) before becoming the head coach of New Mexico State University (1985 1997). Neil was inducted into the Weber State University Hall of Fame (2000), the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame (2008), the Sacramento State University Coaches Circle Hall of Fame (2012), and the New Mexico State Hall of Fame (2021).

Neil was a strong influence on and off the court for his players and they had great respect for his coaching ability. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynda Stilts McCarthy, grand daughter Lynda Kiona McCarthy, sister Debbie McCarthy and his four-legged companion Parker. Survived by his wife Vivian Call Bamberger McCarthy, his three children; Lisa Rygen, Aaron "P" McCarthy (Michaela), Neil Christopher McCarthy (Heather); 10 grandchildren, Jennifer, Jordan, Emily, Molly, Natasha, Eliza, Ian, Koren, Kaylen, Skylan; Neil’s loving sisters, Vivian’s children, grandchildren and long time friend Al Manfredi.

Neil will be remembered for his love of animals, basketball, TV, travel and his piles of unopened Christmas and birthday gifts. The family would like to thank the staff at Cascade Rehabilitation Center for their gentle care. Funeral services pending due to Covid.

On Friday, April 5th Paul Rogers passed away peacefully of natural causes. Paul was born in Napa on June 4, 1939 to Jack and Margaret (Bihn) Rogers. He received his degree in Marketing from San Jose State and began his advertising career in San Francisco. He married Georgia Somers in June of 1968 and they had two children.

He loved to race sail boats on the bay, so after his divorce he fulfilled his dream of living on a boat in Sausalito. He spent 25 years on “My Way” where he held lively Super Bowl parties with homemade chili, Bloody Mary’s and lots of laughter.

In 1993 he reunited with his Napa Jr. College sweetheart Barbara Davis Chandler and they married in 1999. It was a relationship filled with travel, sailing, dinner parties and golf until her passing in 2004. Paul then turned his attention to his love of plants and classic cars. He studied to become a Master Gardener and participated in the Main Street Reunion Car Show with his 74 Triumph.

He spent the last 30 years of his work life with Balzac Communications in Napa Valley. This opportunity wed his love of people, wine and creativity. The friendships forged were memorable and lifelong.

In life, Paul taught us how to laugh and to find the joy in the details of daily living. He also taught us love and loyalty, not just in the abstract way, but in the act of love. We felt his love by his presence, his continual and consistent care. At family events you were always aware of where he was because that was where the laughter was coming from.

He is survived by his daughter Michele (children Miranda and Nathan); son Paul Jr. (wife Melissa); siblings Gerry, Patricia, Annie and Mike; and in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

A memorial mass will be held at St John the Baptist Church in Napa at 1:00 on Friday May 3rd. Reception to follow.

Sister M. Ramona Krisha, a Dominican Sister of San Rafael for 56 years, died on March 20 at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in San Rafael after a courageous battle with cancer. A down-to-earth person, with a wealth of interests and talents, Sister Ramona will be remembered fondly by the many people who had the opportunity to know her.

Born in Vallejo to Frank and Mary Krisha, Frances Marie attended St. Vincent Elementary and High Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Dominican College in 1961 and entered the convent. Sister Ramona began her life of ministry in education in 1963; she taught in Our Lady of Mercy School in Daly City, St. Leander School in San Leandro, St. Anne School in Lodi, and was principal at St. Dominic School in Los Angeles.

Beginning in 1984, Sister Ramona served in Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Daly City as the Religious Education Coordinator for three years. For the next eight years, she ministered as Financial and Plant Manager at Santa Sabina Retreat Center, and then as Administrative Assistant to the Dominican Sisters leadership council.

In 1995, Sister Ramona decided to shift direction with her ministry. She earned her certificate as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor at University of California, Berkeley and worked for local not-for-profit organizations for seven years. In 2005, she returned to Santa Sabina Retreat Center as the Finance Manager and retired at the end of 2017.

While known as a stickler for detail and thoroughness, Sister Ramona also had a wonderful sense of fun, delighting in puns, clowns, and celebrations. She was a longtime fan of the San Francisco Giants, enjoyed cooking and gardening, and long walks in nature.

Sister Ramona was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her brother, Donald Krisha (Patty), her cousins Roz McClean, Tom Markovich and Gary Markovich, her nieces Christine Crawford and Caroline Pollard, grandnieces Alyson Crawford and Abigail Pollard, grandnephew Ryan Pollard, and by her Dominican Sisters.

A funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, March 30 at 10:00 am in the Gathering Space at Dominican Sisters Center, 1520 Grand Avenue in San Rafael. Sister Ramona will be buried on Wednesday, April 3 at 10:00 am in St. Dominic’s Cemetery in Benicia.

Memorial gifts in honor of Sister Ramona may be made to the Retirement Fund, Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Development Office, 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael CA 94901.