The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting via Zoom technology, on February 9, 2021. The meeting commenced at 1200 hours.Roll Call: President Al Luenow, Vice President Rob Forneris, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Lou Barberini, Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, and Jim O’Meara, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ryan Walsh made a motion to accept the minutes from our last meeting on January 12, 2021. Vice President Rob Forneris seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions, and Reinstatements: There were no new applications, suspensions, or reinstatements. Trustee Ray Kane will respond to the San Francisco Police Academy on February 23, 2021 to present our membership to the 272nd Recruit Class.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor read aloud the WOAA monthly bills and paid beneficiary claims from the members who recently passed away. The beneficiaries of passed members David Dillon, Richard Frost, Joseph Lordan, Larry Mack, and Wassil Rolovich sent the required paperwork to process the death benefit. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Vice President Rob Forneris seconded the motion. The motion passed. Our 2020 Summary Annual Report is available on our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org, and by email and U.S. Mail by request. Contact me at 415 681-3660.
Report of Visiting Committee: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there has been no visitation for passed members memorial services.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of the following members:
Steven Driscoll, age 89: Steve Driscoll was born on October 1, 1931 in San Francisco, California. Steve was born to Mary Elizabeth Cottrell Driscoll and John Henry Driscoll, both from County Cork, Ireland. He and his siblings Rev. James Driscoll, Robert Driscoll, and William Driscoll, all deceased, were raised by their father after their mother passed away in 1939. When the boys were adults, their father married Margaret Crowley, both deceased. Steve lived a varied life. He started working at age 10 in his uncle’s gas station. Steve worked throughout his school years, and after school and sports practice. Steve attended several grammar schools: Columbus, St. Anne’s, Mt. Carmel Academy, St. John’s, and Mission Dolores. Steve went later attended and graduated from Sacred Heart High School where he played basketball and baseball. Steve also played baseball at the college level for City College of San Francisco, and San Francisco State University. Steve graduated from College and served the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Wasp. Steve is listed as a “student” prior to entering Law Enforcement. Steve joined the San Francisco Police Department at the age of 27, on October 22, 1958 and was assigned to Star #949 (later exchanged for #372). Steve worked the following assignments during his 27- year career: Central Police Station (March 9, 1959), Mission Police Station (December 14, 1959), Communications (November 1, 1960). Steve remained in Communications until retiring at the rank of Lieutenant on July 22, 1985 with a service pension. Steve was promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant on December 16, 1971, and to the rank of Q-60 Lieutenant (no date available). Steve was an avid golfer and had four “holes in one”, and won his flight in the City Golf Tournament. Steve and his family moved to Concord in 1970 and joined St. Agnes’ Parish. Steve coached boys and girls basketball, and was voted Diablo Valley Coach of the year. After retirement, Steve ushered the 7am mass for over 30 years at St. Agnes. Steve was also known as a baseball and softball coach having coached in the Concord Athletic League and was on the board of directors as the head umpire. He was a successful softball coach at Carondelet High School for 15 years. Further, he coached softball for 15-18 ages, and won the Western States Championships two years in a row, and went to the World Series in Indianapolis. He finally succumbed to cancer in February 2021. Steve is survived by his wife Edith Korte Driscoll from St. Elizabeth’s in Oakland, and St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in San Francisco, their children Mary Bastian (Jim), Steven Driscoll (Stephanie), Anne Mink (Justin), and grandchildren Marisa Bastian, Laura Overman (Connor), Nicholas Bastian, Bridget Driscoll, Megan Driscoll, Kaitlyn Mink and Keira Mink. Steve was a devoted father and grandfather. A visitation will be held at Ouimet Brother Funeral Chapel in Concord, California on Thursday February 18, 2021 from 12-5 pm. A recital of the Rosary will begin at 2 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Concord, California on Friday February 19, 2021 at 10:30 am. Friends who are unable to attend may watch the service via the St. Agnes Facebook page.
Frank Gau, age 87: Frank W. Gau was born in San Francisco, California. Frank was listed as a College Student prior to entering Law Enforcement. Frank Gau entered the San Francisco Police Department on June 16, 1957. Frank was assigned to Star #1618 and worked the following assignments during his 29 plus years as a San Francisco Police Officer: Richmond Police Station (September 23, 1957), Central Police Station (May 19, 1958), Northern Police Station (February 23, 1959), Co. K Solo (June 7, 1960), Potrero Police Station (promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant and transferred on March 21, 1979), Co. K-P/TC (February 13, 1980). Frank retired with a service pension on September 19, 1986.
Norman T. Lee passed away on Christmas Day 2020. The WOAA believed it was our member Norman S. Lee. We express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Norman T. Lee, who battled his illness for more than two decades. We also express our heartfelt apology to the family of Norman S. Lee who is active in the San Francisco Police Department and the WOAA.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: Treasurer Taylor experienced a computer crash. Taylor contacted President Al Luneow and requested a reimbursement for the purchase of a WOAA exclusive computer. Al received approval from the Board.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Luenow led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence and adjourned the meeting. The next WOAA Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 9, 2021. The meeting will be held via Zoom technology.
To All Members: Members may access a new beneficiary form by using our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Please click on the RESOURCES BOX on the face page and follow the link. Print out the form and complete it with all required information. The form must be signed by a Notary, or one of the WOAA Board Members (see above in Roll Call). Send the form to WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted by telephone at 415 681-3660. Each month, I extend our thanks and appreciation to the following people who support our efforts to provide the best customer service to our members: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current Defense Administrator for the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA), Paul Chignell, Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the current host of the Gold Country Reaper email Rene LaPrevotte, Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal, Ray Shine, Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, David Ng of Personnel, and to the entire Traffic Solo Command Staff and their Officers who graciously afford us space for our meetings and files.
