Month: December 2008

Story by Collin Tiura

Oh yes, I knew Orville,

He was a ding bat to be sure but an okay ding bat.

At one time he was one of the divers at Marine World when it was in San Carlos. He and another friend of mine, Ted Pinerelli, dove on fish gathering expeditions around the world, collecting specimens of the oceans. What a cool life.

When not plying the seas their work was a bit more mundane, swimming among fish in the viewing tanks.

One of the favorite chores was feeding the fish and turtles.

Ted told me this story about Orville:

Orville’s family was visiting Marine World and Ted was walking them through the park, the highlight being, watching Orville feed the fish. The spectator area was fairly crowded but all of Orville’s family was able to get an “up close to the window viewing spot”, mom, dad and the siblings.

As Orville swam along giving hand-outs to the hungry salt-water stars he came upon his clan, and proceeded to put on a special show of extended feeding in their viewing area but unfortunately forgetting rule #1 in the ‘fish feeding manual’, which was ‘always keep moving while feeding the fish’.

Maybe he didn’t forget that rule, but possibly wasn’t told ‘why’ not to stop and visit, or show off just a bit for that special audience.

So, Ted and Orville’s family are watching the show. Orville’s father apparently was a thoughtful sort of a guy not prone to show much emotion, so when a huge turtle came up behind  becalmed Orville and bit one of his ears off (not quite off, it was swinging, held on by a thread or something) and blood was seriously clouding up the water to the point where you could no longer see the look of concern on Orville’s face. Ted said that Orville’s dad looked at the scene for a few seconds and then moved on to clearer water as if not at all impressed with Orville’s display, planned or not.

Ted said that Orville’s mother and siblings showed enough emotion with their screaming to more than make up for dad.

Orville’s selection of attire was farmer John bib overalls. I don’t remember seeing him wearing anything else, although he might have. And he always reeked of ‘Ben-Gay’ or some other obnoxious smelling muscle relaxing ointment, to the point where your eyes burnt if within 20 feet of him. He always had plenty of room at a crowded bar, which brings me to another ‘Orville-ism’.

I was having beers with a few of my friends at Dan’s in Moss Beach a bunch of years ago when Orville came in. He ordered a beer, and at some point we all went outside for reasons unknown. I believe we were all having a good time, but while outside Orville challenged one of my friends to arm wrestle. We all wondered where that came from but they went at it anyway. After awhile my friend had second thoughts about the whole thing and punched Orville in the nose. It was about time. We all went back in Dan’s and had another cold beer, listening to Orville repeating ‘why’d you punch me in the nose?’.

I liked Orville in a way I like many of the other coastal goof-balls. They are what they are and that’s pretty honest.

Like my Mom used to say, you ‘like them in spite of their faults not because of them’.

I was genuinely saddened when I heard that Orville had done himself in many years ago.

Mom also used to say ‘a smile is like a lighted window, it always show’s somebody’s home’ but she would describe some with ‘the lights are on but nobody’s home’. Go figure.

Well, I hope this sheds some light on things.

Sincerely, I think………………Collin

Elaine M. Teixeira: I’ve attached a copy of a photo from my class reunion, 60th, from HMB, class of ’49, oh so many years ago.

The 1949 graduating class of HMB High School held a reunion on Sept. 13, 2008 at the Mezza Luna Restaurant in Princeton-By-The-Sea. Of the graduating class of 24 students, eight attend the dinner with spouses and relations were: Ugo Lea, Frank Ramacciotti, Guido Santini, Fred Cunha, Wiulbur Azevedo, Lena Ghilardi Ormonde, Jack Bettencourt, Dick Picchi, & Elaine Martini Teixeira. Others attending: Loretta Martini Santini, spouse of Guido Santini, Stacy Teixeira, Sunnyvale,daughter of Elaine Teixeira, Sally Lea, spouse of Ugo Lea, Franka Ramacciotti, spouse of Frank Ramacciotti, John Cunha, son of Fred Cunha, Cecilia Madonna Azevedo, spouse of Wilbur Azevedo, Kenny Ormonde, spouse of Lina Ormonde, Bobbie Pacheco, daughter of La Verne Pacheco, HMB.

Members of the class who were unable to attend: Rosina Bertolucci Banks of Washington, Mildred Jepsen Evangelho, San Jose, Dolores Evangelho Sima, Fremont, Pedro Corral of Rancho Cordova, Alice Martini Wickersham, Cloverdale, Shirley Marsh Pacecho and spouse Walter, HMB. Additionally, Class Advisor, Flora Mancebo of Novato, sent her regrets, she was not able to attend due to health problems.

Those deceased: Jerry Dutton, Nataline Giusti O’Toole, Edward Kochever, Edward Marsh, Evelyn Matteucci Mason, Alice McNulty Fernari, Alan Pederson, Francis Powell, Wayne Robertson, and June Torre. Others who attend school with the Class of “48, deceased: Mateo Pacheco and Darlene Paxton Cunha.

Entertainment was provided by Fred (Fritz) Cunha, with his repertoire of jokes, and Guido Santini with a special “crutch” given to him for assistance in his advancing age!

After a delicious dinner, the class members spent time recalling their days in high school, and having many laughs. In addition, a couple of class songs were song! Among diners who came and joined the group for a few words, included local residents Gino Lea, Sharon Bertolucci, and Cherie Torre.

May fond memories of the evening sustain us until the next reunion!

This from Larry Witham: I just came across another newspaper archive. It’s been a couple of years in the works and now finally yielding some interesting stories. Here is the link; To access the archives, please click here

Yep, it’s a 1948 MG