George Bracey Gillow

San Diego's Homeland Improvement Company--1907

From Bruce's message 1245 it was apparent that the swastika was used as a company logo.  Here is proof from the San Diego 1907 business directory:

Seems horrible to think about today, but as I mentioned previously it was not considered a bad symbol in 1907.

Terry Lee Maple

I too attended the Kennedy commencement speech. A very inspirational day. My brother Brian graduated from SDS in 1963 with degrees in physics and mathematics so it was a big day for our family. I also remember the competitive spirit in junior high school when Nixon and Kennedy backers ran around the campus in their campaign ensembles. A Californian, Nixon had a lot of support at that time. And we all know how close that election was. George mentioned the tour of DC. I was lucky enough to participate in that tour. It was the first time I ventured beyond the state of California (other than Mexico) so it was quite an eye-opening experience. I was dreaming about a career in foreign service at the time so I met with an officer who gave me some advice. I was hoping to see the world representing my country but as it turned out I am instead an ambassador to the wildlife nation, and I've seen the world on their behalf. Funny how things turn out, but I ended up pretty close to where I wanted to be.

Bruce Wilson

There was or is a runout that Raquel grew up in the South Bay Never could confirm it Will ask her 

Rumour he said suggestively (for Jeanie B, my old Tom Swifties pal)

EDIT:

Back on a "real" computer.

Mispellings are commonplace when using the iPhone, a device which was developed by folks who never got to attend "Human Factors Engineering" in either Elementary or Junior high school. It's easier to just keep typing than it is to correct mistakes.

Keep on typin' in the free World.

My favorite Raquel photo from her archive. Fair is fair, right. Fairest of the Fair is something altogether different.  As we all know, Ms T. also did well in the Trenchcoat Modeleing competion.

Bruce Wilson

Was starting to get ready to bail on this arena, but things keep popping up. We haven't even touched on a few yet.

Terry. Probably better that you opted out of the foreign service. I think going trenchcoatless was not an option in those days.

It seems that Patty was pretty fortunate to get that JFK handshake. Apparenly, he wasn't interested in touching Ike's hand. Note DDE's attire, if you will.  I can see why DDE acronym never caught on. It seems like a computer term and you know how he was on the industrial-military complex.

Bruce Wilson

I never hung out with Mike O'Day BITD. I only knew him as Rosie's brother and because he had a woody.

At the get together a couple years back out at Rohr Park I spent a good bit of time talking with him and the memory has stuck with me somewhat more than anything else from the day.

So, I was saddened when I was informed today that Mike passed last Wednesday. The phrase goes "Rest in Peace", my take away from that day was the Mike was living in peace.

My condolences to Rosie and all her family and their friends. This is how I'll remember him.

Rosalee May (Rosie) O'Day (Mason)

Thank you, Bruce, for your kind words and condolences.  It has been a very difficult time for our family as it was so sudden.  Mike had had a few health challenges, but when his kidneys began failing, he was gone in a week.  My sisters and I are in a state of disbelief that our big brother is gone.  He was always so loving, good-hearted, and generous.  I remember him taking me with him on all his surfing adventures when we were in high school. This is one of my favorite recent pictures of him.  We learned a valuable lesson through all this -- Carpe diem!  I am just grateful that he had 69 good years on this earth.

Patricia Ilene Berry (Hodges)

Rosie, so sorry to hear that you lost your brother.  Just be assured that he is in a better place and is not suffering any longer.

Hope to see you in June.  My oldest daughter is graduating again, this time with her RN.  So great to have a nurse and a teacher (Marianne 2nd daughter) in the family.

John Poe Moore, Jr.

Rosie and all:  I first met Mike when I was a Boy Scout.  He was an older guy (one year) and his Dad was our Scout Master.  Those were the days when we could go hiking, camping, day trips and a couple of 10 day trips to Mammouth Lakes, without any hassles for kids.  Great Memories!  Then into High School and met Mike again in the water at Imperial Beach Pier, surfing!  He was one of the guys, 51 Ford Woodie, all the cool things that I thought were cool then.  Later in life to own and rebuild my own 51Ford Woodie.  Mike was always very nice and really cool to younger surfers.  I have thought of Mike many, many times over the years as I lived and surfed in the same town as Mike's good friend, John Atwell.  I believe they even went into the Air Force together.  Anyway, Mike was a good guy, still surfed until recently, served his country with honor, did his time in Viet Nam, and worked many years until retiring.  I am sure your Mother and Father were and are very proud of him as I know you are, Rosie.  God Bless and R.I.P Mike O'Day.  This is a poem for for Mike!

You are finally free,  back in the sea, From sunrise to sunset that's where you'll be..

Where the children frolick on the shores, you'll be able to tickle their toes!

You will hear their laughter and feel the love, For it will be you that we will be thinking of!

Andie (Joan) Ault (Harvey)

Oh Rosie, I am so very sorry to hear about Mike. He was such a bright, sweet and upbeat person, and I know that he will be sorely missed by your family and all of his friends. I remember him well from Dr. Dunn's little seminars at Rosebank, and my sister always thought very highly of him. My condolences to you, your sisters, and all who loved him.

Corinne McCall

Dear Rosie, 

I am very saddened to hear of the loss of your brother.  God bless you and your family, XOXO Corinne

Michele Lynette Adney (Aldrich)

Dear Rosie,

I am so very sorry to hear about the death of your brother!  I know that the loss of anyone who we love leaves a huge void in our lives.  The raw edges heal but the hole always remains.  It's a blessing that you were close and because of that you will always have wonderful memories that will often bring a smile.  Remember, the pain of loss is because he was loved .... and that's a good thing! 

Rosalee May (Rosie) O'Day (Mason)

My sincere gratitude goes out to all of you for your kind words and remembrances.  Thank you for taking the time to post such nice messages.  I am going to forward them to my sisters.  We appreciate all of you so much for your comforting messages and caring. 

Linda L. Keating (Keating)

Dear Rosie,

My sincere/deepest condolences to you, your family & friends regarding the passing of you brother Mike.  You are in our hearts & prayers always.  We all love you forever & ever.

Shayne Maree Schuller (Morgan Sledge)

I appreciate our emailsRosie, and thinking of Michael, a heart of gold, like all of the O'Days

Gail Eileen Dillon (Boone)

I remember Mike so fondly, Rosie.  I posted one memory involving him and Joyce a couple of weeks ago. Another involves the day I hit you with the golf club (it was an accident for those of you not up on the story...) and he tried to make me feel better by offering to get rid of the club.  He broke it or threw it somewhere, trying to suggest the evil doer was the club, not me.  I remember him saying, in your front yard, "Is this it?  Is this the one?" and then he took care of it!  A nice memory of an otherwise awful day.  I'm so sorry he's gone and I am one who can truly say I know how you feel.  Donna has been gone for fifteen years and I still find myself wondering "How can Donna be gone??"  I will assure you that the pain lessens and the good memories help so much.  My condolences to you, Joyce and Marilyn.  Much love.

Gail Eileen Dillon (Boone)

Yes, George, I went on the 1963 five-day trip to Washington, D.C.  The only other people I remember specifically were Sharon Aland and Laura Halferty (one year ahead of us).  It was a wonderful trip.  Several members of our group (I was unfortunately not one of them) actually ran into President Kennedy in a White House hallway completely by accident.  He stopped to greet them and shook hands with several.  I was so envious.  Ok, jealous.

Patti, I found myself thinking, "Really?  Patti wasn't with us through the years??"  Sure seems like we all knew you well.  I remember your hearbreak on the day President Kennedy died.  I can still picture and hear you crying, "Peggy, he's dead!"  You and Peggy Fallon, right?  I still have the front page of the Evening Tribune from the day of his funeral. The headline reads, "A Grieving Nation Buries Its Young Chief."   Such a sad moment in our otherwise wonderful senior year.  The hindsight of adulthood might temper our romanticized memories, but still...

Bruce Wilson

Good thing we still have our wits about us and can remember Mike's woody (also DC and Hargrove and Toad).  Don't see many of them in modern day sunny CV. May be as close as we'll get.

Bruce Wilson

Recent -- Near Third Ave. & F Street

 My brother Woodie  "converted" the family car to one of these (black one in second position). Didn't come out as nice, but still made you feel like James Dean.

John Carleton Cowherd

Rosie:

I'm sorry to hear about your brother.  I remember him as the cool surfer with the cool woodie.  My condolences to your family.

Gail Nisbet (Sutherland)

Patricia Ann Prickett

Rosie, 

I just got back in town and saw the posts about your brother - I am so sorry.  I lost my brother 18 years ago and it is still difficult.  It does get easier in some ways but it remains a huge loss.  My thoughts are with you. 

Patty

Rosalee May (Rosie) O'Day (Mason)

Once again, thank you to all of you for your kind words of comfort and caring.  Recently, Gail, Shayne, Patty, Merrie, Linda, and John -- your messages are truly comforting.  The journey right now is difficult, but I know that time will help.  With parents, it seems as though it is their time, and that softens the loss.  But with a sibling, it is always too soon.  Thank you to all of you who have e mailed me privately as well. 

I thought I would share this with all of you. I love the message of hope it brings. 

I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads its white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  It is an object of beauty and strength.  I stand and watch it until at length it hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and the sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, “There, it is gone.”

Gone where?

Gone from my sight.  That is all.  It is just as large in mast and hull and spar as it was when it left my side and it is just as able to bear its load of living freight to its destined port.

His diminished size is in me, not in him.  And just at the moment when someone at my side says:  “There, he is gone!” there are other eyes watching him coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here he comes!”

And that is dying.

Henry Van Dyke.

George Bracey Gillow

IN MEMORY

Again, Pam and my condolences go to Rosie and all her family.

One of my favorites by Alfred Lord Tennyson is Crossing of the Bar.  This first part is in the altar at the Little Chapel of Roses at Glen Abbey here in Bonita.

"Sunset and evening star,

      And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

       When I put out to sea" 

(Incidentally, the "bar" is referring to the point at sea where river flows meet incoming ocean currents and a sand bar occurs.  Crossing the bar is when a ship is considered to be at sea, not to return.)

In another memory, I found the obituary for classmate June (Juanita) Doyle recently. It is at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/utsandiego/obituary.aspx?n=june-poukkula&pid=126355954

I will, also, post the obituary in the In Memory section of this site.

Bruce Wilson

Yes indeed Rosie, I can second you on that score.

Bruce 1, Siblings -3

In the immortal words of Furry Lewis (or maybe it was Johnny Downs)

" Been down so long it seems like up to me."

On second thought I think Johnny said "howdy, howdy, howdy"

Shayne Maree Schuller (Morgan Sledge)

Adorable foto Bruce.

All 3 of us siblings were in a milk commercial for Dairy Mart Farms,  It ran on local TV during the cartoon hour on one of the 3  stations.The dairy Dad ran (nepotism?) had. !00 independent home delivererers and the milk was "organic" a term not used at the time. But Alta Dena bought the operation many years later.