The Memorial Wall

We remember the life and cherish the memory of Mary Kathryn (Broderick) Whalen. Mary was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1935. She was the third of five children (Richard, Patricia, James, and Margaret) to Cyril and Eva Broderick. The family moved to Montebello, California in the 1950s, "... and as a young girl, she attended both Sacred Heart of Mary High School for Young Women and Montebello High School.

She met the love of her life, Harry Whalen, at a party. From then on, they were inseparable and were married in 1954. From their home in Whittier, California, they selflessly raised 10 children and taught them the value of family, the virtue of love, and the gift of laughter. Their family grew and grew, and the shared moments of family, love, and especially laughter became lasting memories for all.

Mary loved to sew, cook, and collect various treasures throughout her life. She had an infectious smile and showed compassion to all. She would wake up her children every day with her beautiful voice and sing "Good Morning to You" before they got ready for school. Despite her large family keeping her busy, Mary still made time for everyone. She always enjoyed being with her friends, neighbors, and her church where she volunteered her time regularly.

Mary is survived by her husband, Harry, of 66 beautiful years, and their loving children Tom (Terri), Bob (Karen), Jim (Lisa), Cathy (Larry), John (Kari), Mike (Beth), Rich (Christy), Tim (Suzy), Laura (Bryan), and Patty (Dana), their 23 grandchildren, and their 6 great-grandchildren

Congressman Edward P. Beard of Providence, passed away January 11, 2021 at the age of 80.

Known as “Eddie Beard” to fellow Rhode Islanders, born January 20, 1940 in Providence Rhode Island.

“Eddie” attended the Assumption Catholic elementary school in Providence and Hope high school in Providence. He served in the Rhode Island National Guard, completed high school as well as a college-level course in agriculture. He was a life-long devout Catholic. He was also an avid boxer and competed at a semi-pro level. Eddie could be found at the YMCA hitting the heavy bag when he wasn't jogging. He became interested in politics when, by chance, as a child he met Congressman John E. Fogarty. In the early 1960's he obtained a job as a house painter at the Rhode Island School of Design. While employed there he began his campaigning for State Representative. Eddie would be recognized for his iconic paint brush held in the breast pocket of his suit, a symbol of his blue-collar roots, as well as the holes in his dress shoes from walking door to door to hundreds of his soon-to-be constituents. He began his political career as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives serving from 1972 to 1974. Elected as a democrat to the Ninety-Fourth Congress, he was reelected to the Ninety-Fifth and Ninety-sixth Congresses. Eddie Beard served in the U. S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 1981, and was Chairman of the Labor Standards Committee and a member on several the House committees including; House Ways and Means, Elderly Affairs, Labor Standards, Education and Labor, Armed Forces, Foreign Affairs and Veterans' Affairs.

Eddie Beard is remembered for his relentless work on behalf of the blue-collar workers of America and the founder of the “Blue-Collar Caucus.” He was well known for his diligence on cracking down on abuse and neglect at nursing homes and institutions of mental health. He was the elderly and aged champion and gained national media attention for his legislation on “Unannounced Inspections.” He proposed several pieces of legislation that supported veterans' benefits throughout his career as a Congressman. He served as director of elderly affairs for the City of Providence, Rhode Island, from 1986 to 2002

He is survived by his son Edward P. Beard Jr, of PA, his daughter Diane Louise Brennan of RI, grandchildren; Destini, Dustin and Michael, his brother John Beard and a niece and nephew.

He is preceded in death by his father Thomas J. Beard and mother Anne “Fitzpatrick” Beard and siblings Anne and Thomas Jr.

Due to COVID restrictions, services will be private for family only.  A Celebration of his life for the citizens of RI who he served will be announced in the future once restrictions are lifted.

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of David Brun January 9, 2021 at the age of 62 after a long brave battle with Parkinson's disease. David was born July 19, 1958 in Chicago but moved to Clearwater at the age of 10. He always considered himself a Florida native and enjoyed living and playing on the beautiful Gulf Coast. David graduated from Tampa College with a BA in Business Administration and Management. He worked at Eaton Cutler Hammer formerly Westinghouse from 1982 to 1999. He then worked for many years at Thasetronics in Clearwater. David is predeceased by his parents, Eleanor and Harold Brun and his brothers, Hal and Rick. He is survived by and will be sadly missed by the love of his life wife, Trina Brun and his sister, Barbara Brun of Chicago. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Rafael "Ray" Vega, an entrepreneur and restaurateur passed away peacefully on January 9, 2021 at the age of 86.

Ray was born on August 27, 1934 to Rafael and Maria Vega. He migrated to the US from Tijuana with his parents as a toddler. His parents had dreams of owning a restaurant in LA and were able to bring that dream to fruition. Ray grew up on Olvera Street in downtown LA, around his parent's Mexican Restaurant, Café Caliente. He attended John Boroughs High School in Burbank and continued on to study Hospitality at San Francisco State University. He came back to LA at the age of 22 to find a way to support his parents who had recently been forced to close their restaurant. In 1956, with the promise of a few months free rent and while working a few other side jobs, Ray opened Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks on Ventura Blvd. Ray's father was the first bartender and his mother was welcoming guests while keeping an eye on the family recipes coming out of the kitchen. He was very active in local LA politics serving on the LA County Housing Authority and as Commissioner of Dept. of Public Social Service in the late 1960's-1970's. In 1976, Ray married Charleen, a beautiful woman whom he had met at Casa Vega.

As a young businessman, Ray was successful in obtaining government contracts for dining services all around California and Nevada. One of those contracts, Nellis Air Force Base, took Ray and Charleen to Las Vegas in 1978. Las Vegas opened lot of opportunities with Ray's love of work, his vision, creativity, drive and willingness to take risks. Ray started and owned numerous successful businesses in Las Vegas under VEGA Enterprise: VEGA Vending; VEGA Wholesale; VEGA Bar & Concessions; VEGA Foods; VEGA Marketing; VEGA Spirits; VEGA Dairy and many others, along with buildings, warehouses and other business ventures. Ray loved being a businessman and was a trailblazer within the Latino Community. In 1996, Ray was appointed Honorary Counsel General to Mexico for the State of Nevada. He sat on more hospital (Providence Hospitals) and bank boards than we can list.

After retiring from Las Vega, Ray was happy to move back to his hometown of Los Angeles, to spend his days near his first (and favorite) business, Casa Vega. He never missed a day of work. Ray took immense pride in teaching his daughter, Christina "Christy" Vega, how to navigate in business and keep his legacy alive. This year, Casa Vega Restaurant celebrates 65 years of business in Ray's honor.

Ray is survived by his wife, Charleen; his children Kelly, Robbie and Christina; and his grandchildren Anthony, Taylor, Emillee, Lizzy, Jackson, Rafael Palmer, Ryan' Jr., Cruz and Mia.

Services are pending.

William H. Kobin, a public television executive who led KCET in Los Angeles and spearheaded a diverse range of programs, died Jan. 8 at his home in Brentwood, Calif., due to health complications caused by Parkinson’s disease. He was 91.

Mike Henry, a former NFL linebacker and actor known for playing Tarzan in the 1960s, has died. He was 84.

Henry died Jan. 8 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank after many years of dealing with chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Parkinson’s disease brought on by the head injuries in the NFL and at the University of Southern California.

He traded football for acting and went on to star in the Tarzan films of the 1960s and worked alongside Burt Reynolds in the “Smokey and the Bandit” movies.

Henry grew up in East Los Angeles. In high school, former city council member John Ferraro saw him play football and facilitated his tryout for USC’s football team. After college, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, for which he played from 1958 to 1961. Wanting to try his luck with acting, Henry requested a transfer to play for the Los Angeles Rams.

In one of his final games as a Ram linebacker, a producer spotted Henry and asked him to test for the role of Tarzan. Between 1966 and 1968, he starred in three films based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ creation: “Tarzan and the Valley of Gold,” “Tarzan and the Great River” and “Tarzan and the Jungle Boy.”

But he was best known for his role in three “Smokey and the Bandit” action comedies from 1977, 1980 and 1983. He played Junior, the son of Jackie Gleason’s character. His other movie roles included 1974’s “The Longest Yard,” 1973’s “Soylent Green,” 1970’s “Rio Lobo” and 1968’s “The Green Berets.” TV roles included “General Hospital,” “Lou Grant,” “Rhoda,” “Fantasy Island,” “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “77 Sunset Strip.”

Henry worked behind the scenes in film and TV for the rest of his professional career until he retired in 1988 as a result of Parkinson’s disease.

“You could not find anyone who ever spoke ill of Mike. He was one of the loveliest men ever to grace this earth,” said Cheryl Henry, his wife of 36 years.

Mike Henry is also a survived by a daughter, Shannon Noble.

William F. Cahoone Jr. (Big Cahuna) 76, lost his battle with Parkinson’s on Thursday, January 7, 2021. He was born in Sacramento CA and grew up in Fair Oaks, CA surrounded by family and beauty. He graduated in 1967 from the University of Nevada, Reno in Business Administration. After a 2-year stint in the Army serving in Korea Bill went to work for Chevron Oil in the marketing department until he joined Atlas Powder in Salt Lake City as a Sales Representative. He then moved to Denver where he worked the Colorado and Utah mines and other powder using industries. He later worked for Behre Dolbear as Vice President of corporate development, then Atkinson Construction in business development until he retired.

Bill knew everyone in the mine and civil construction business especially underground.  As was said by everyone “you just have to like the guy.”  

Bill is survived by his wife Penny, daughters Kelli (Kal) her husband Michael, Sera, son Nathan and stepson Brian Tippett and is wife Shandi, sisters Kathleen Faircloth, JoAnne Claghorn, three grandchildren: Eliza Romero Cahoone, Braxton and Brodie Tippett.

Harry Fleming … Husband, Father and Parkinson’s Fight Club Leader, Dies age 74

Harry William Fleming passed away at home on January 6, 2021, with his high school sweetheart and loving wife Carol by his side.  Harry had heart failure, a result of an existing condition, compromised by Parkinson’s and COVID.

Harry was born on November 7, 1946, to Joseph G. Fleming and Mildred Miller Fleming.  An only child, he used to joke… as he was so perfect, there was no need for more siblings.

Homecoming services will be at 2 p.m. today at Galilee Baptist Church, Gadsden, for Mr. Harry William Fleming, who died recently. The Rev. G.W. Robinson Sr., pastor, and the Rev. Hugh Trammell, officiating. West Gadsden Funeral Home directing.

He was united in holy matrimony to Trucilla Beason, and to this union, three sons and one daughter were born. He was a very loving husband and a wonderful father. Harry and Trucilla held this union together for 45 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Lewis Fleming.

He leaves to cherish his memory, dedicated and loving wife, Trucilla Fleming, Gadsden; mother, Mrs. Thomasina Bessie Fleming; four sons, Calvin (Laura) Fleming, Kalvin (Jaccie) Fleming, Dewayne Fleming, Jermaine Hayes, Atlanta, Ga.; five daughters, Harriett Fleming, Lisa Mosley, Doretha Mosley, all of Gadsden, Consuelo and Chiquita Hayes, Atlanta, Ga.; 31 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four brothers, Charles L. Fleming, William Fleming, Elbert Fleming and Gerome Wynn, all of Gadsden; three sisters-in-law, Ida (Joshua) Sawyer, Willie R. Beason and Cheryl (Charles) Coleman, all of Gadsden; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives; special friends, Allen Oliver, Kenny Lackey and Mr. Sutton.  

Born and raised in Pasadena, CA, she was the eldest of four daughters of Norman Leffingwell Goss and Jean Armour Ericson.

After graduating from Westridge School, she devoted her life to music and food. She started a successful catering business, Heather's Affairs, and later opened two restaurants, The Gourmet Goose & The Heather. She was a president of the Orange County Philharmonic; served on the Corona Del Mar Baroque Music Festival's board for many years; and on the Newport Harbor Lutheran Church's council, where she also sang in the choir. In 1990 she joined the Vox Feminae singing group and toured with them in Europe.

Heather found joy in the great outdoors, hiking and biking the California Coast. Even when Parkinson's began to take its toll, she never lost her courage and faith.

We hear her voice, we see her smile, she is with us still.

Heather is survived by an extended family, including her sisters Shana, Devon and Briar, and many nieces and nephews. A full tribute is available from heathergossmemories@gmail.com.

Dan Lauck, the sincere, soft-spoken, and inquisitive journalist who perfected the art of a phrase, died early the morning of December 31, 2020. He was 72.

For almost two decades, Dan battled Parkinson’s disease, a disorder of the central nervous system.

In 2007, at age 58, the disease forced Lauck to retire early from KHOU when his symptoms made the tight television news deadlines too difficult to meet.

For years, though, Dan’s storytelling helped us put Houston in context. He was a thoughtful reporter who sought out unique characters and stories that many journalists missed.

Dan excelled as a wordsmith, the ability to craft a phrase in rich, vivid detail that put his audience in the heart of the story. Each word had weight in Dan’s dry but deliberate delivery on television. It was a warm, unforced style that helped him connect with viewers.

In an industry sometimes characterized by egos and showmanship, Lauck instinctively avoided both to earn the admiration of colleagues and the respect of competitors. 

 The Houston Chronicle described Lauck as “one of the best writers in the business.”

His peers thought so, too.

In 2001, Dan won the national Edward R. Murrow award for outstanding writing.  Over his television career, Lauck was also honored with three regional Murrow awards and six regional Emmy Awards. 

Dan married his wife, Meg, a director at ABC Sports, in 1983. He doted on her, his three daughters and loved to brag about his grandchildren.

After retiring, Dan and Meg lived in Sugar Land, Texas where he played golf for as long as his body would let him.