The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on October 13, 2020 at 1200 hours. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic we continue to use Zoom technology.
Roll Call: President James O’Meara, Vice President Al Luenow, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Ryan Walsh, Louis Barberini, Leroy Lindo, and Ray Kane were present. Trustee Rob Forneris and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Vice President Al Luenow made a motion to accept the minutes from our September 2020 meeting. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new applications, suspensions, or reinstatements. We have received 27 signed acknowledgement receipts from our certified letters to our recently fifty plus dropped members. We have received 12 letters returned to us. We have 11 new addresses for the 12 returned letters. No dropped member(s) from the 27 who signed for their letter has contacted us for reapplication. The dropped members who changed their address (without notifying the WOAA) will have a new certified letter sent out this month. Dropped members, per the WOAA By-Laws and Constitution, must pay their dues and late fees ($10 per each late month), and submit a letter of “good health” from their physician.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor read aloud the monthly bills, beneficiary claims to be paid, and other outstanding bills. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills and the beneficiary claim of fallen member James Brown. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed. A donation of $40.00 was submitted to the WOAA by Marilyn Panelli on behalf of fallen member John Minoli. .
Report of Visiting Committee: Due to the Covid Pandemic, funeral and memorial services in the State of California are limited to immediate family members.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA received the sad new of the passing of our following member:
John Minoli, age 93: John Minoli was born in San Francisco, California on February 24. 1927. John grew up in the Cow Hollow area of San Francisco, and graduated from Galileo High School where he excelled at playing baseball. John later served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. John was a proud San Franciscan which led him to joining the San Francisco Police Department on January 4, 1960. John is listed as being an Assistant Credit Manager prior to entering the S.F.P.D. John completed his 3 months in the Police Academy, was assigned to Star #1146, and then served at the following assignments during his 28 plus year career: Park Police Station (April 11, 1960), Richmond Police Station (February 5, 1961), Central Police Station (February 13, 1962), Company K (Traffic) E&I (November 23, 1962), HDQR Legal (August 1, 1971), Richmond Police Station (August 23, 1978), Personnel (March 14, 1979, promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant on June 13, 1979), Company K (February 13, 1980, Legal (November 19, 1980, and was promoted to the rank of Police Inspector on October 22, 1980), Hit and Run (April 7, 1986). John retired with a Service Pension on July 7, 1988. John loved the San Francisco Giants professional baseball team and worked as a ticket taker at Candlestick Park for many years after his retirement. He was thrilled when the Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014. John is survived by his children David Minoli and Marlene Minoli-Thiel, and his grandchildren: Stephanie Thiel, Andrew Thiel, and Matthew Minoli. John loved his family, as well as good Italian food, good wine, singing and dancing. He will be greatly missed.
Harry Paretchan, age 89: Harry Paretchan was born on March 25, 1932, in Fresno, California. Harry’s family moved to San Francisco in 1939. Prior to his many years of public service in San Francisco, Harry served his country during the Korean Conflict. Harry discharged as a decorated veteran. Harry is listed as being employed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department. Harry entered the San Francisco Police Department on April 16, 1956. Harry graduated from the Police Academy and was assigned to Star #115. Harry worked the following assignments during his 7 years career in the S.F.P.D.: Taraval Police Station (July 9, 1956), Central Police Station (January 2, 1957), Richmond Police Station (October 16, 1957), and back to Central Police Station as his final S.F.P.D. stop (June 20, 1960). Harry transferred to the San Francisco Fire Department on November 1, 1962. Harry had a distinguished career in the S.F. Fire Department. Harry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1977, and was voted Fire Fighter of the Year in 1984 before retiring in 1991. In 1981, Harry enhanced his public service by establishing the San Francisco Fire Fighters Chili Cook-Off competition, which benefitted the St. Francis Burn Center, Fort Mason Foundation, Kevin Collins Foundation for missing children, SF Suicide Prevention, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He realized his greater duty to all active and retired City and County of San Francisco Employees when he ran for and was elected to the City Health Service System Board in 1971. Harry served the Board as Vice President, President, and eventually as the Commissioner. In 1991 on the date of his retirement from the S.F.F.D., he was awarded the honorary designation of Commissioner Emeritus to the Health Service Board. In Harry’s later years he enjoyed being a member of the Marin County Barbershop Chorus, working hard to raise funds for their annual concert. Harry was predeceased by his father Bob, mother Queenie, and brother Charles. He is survived by his ex-wife Carol Paretchan Meyer, daughter Lynn, son Mark, grandchildren Steven, Charlie and Mia; and his beloved Labrador Retriever, Sadie. Harry will be missed dearly by all his friends and family who he enjoyed playing golf, tennis, hiking, singing Barbershop and meeting at McDonald’s in Novato for a cup of coffee with.
Report of Special Committee: No Special Committee at this time.
New Business: No report this month.
Old Business: With the “New Normal” state restrictions for inside-outside dining, the Board is attempting to schedule a dinner for 2019 WOAA President Ray Kane. Ray performed an outstanding job as our 2019 President and Board leader. Due the
Covid- 19 Pandemic restrictions, we were unable to honor Ray for his time, dedication and leadership during his year as WOAA President.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President O’Meara led our Board in a moment of silence for the passing of John Minoli, and for all fallen members. President O’Meara scheduled our next monthly meeting, by Zoom technology, for Tuesday November 10, 2020, at 1200 hours,
To All Members: Members may access a NEW Beneficiary form from our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on the Resources box on our face page and click on the link. Complete the form with all requested information and obtain a signature from a Notary, or one of the WOAA Board Members. Send the form to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660 for any questions or guidance. We thank the following people who greatly assist our efforts on a continual basis: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current Defense Administrator of the SFPOA Paul Chignell, Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper Website Rene LaPrevotte, Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor the SFPOA Journal Ray Shine, David Ng of Personnel, Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, and the entire Traffic Command and Officers who have graciously afforded us space for our meetings and files.
The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on October 13, 2020 at 1200 hours. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic we continue to use Zoom technology.Roll Call: President James O’Meara, Vice President Al Luenow, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Ryan Walsh, Louis Barberini, Leroy Lindo, and Ray Kane were present. Trustee Rob Forneris and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Vice President Al Luenow made a motion to accept the minutes from our September 2020 meeting. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new applications, suspensions, or reinstatements. We have received 27 signed acknowledgement receipts from our certified letters to our recently fifty plus dropped members. We have received 12 letters returned to us. We have 11 new addresses for the 12 returned letters. No dropped member(s) from the 27 who signed for their letter has contacted us for reapplication. The dropped members who changed their address (without notifying the WOAA) will have a new certified letter sent out this month. Dropped members, per the WOAA By-Laws and Constitution, must pay their dues and late fees ($10 per each late month), and submit a letter of “good health” from their physician.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor read aloud the monthly bills, beneficiary claims to be paid, and other outstanding bills. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills and the beneficiary claim of fallen member James Brown. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed. A donation of $40.00 was submitted to the WOAA by Marilyn Panelli on behalf of fallen member John Minoli. .
Report of Visiting Committee: Due to the Covid Pandemic, funeral and memorial services in the State of California are limited to immediate family members.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA received the sad new of the passing of our following member:
John Mignoli, age 93: John Minoli was born in San Francisco, California on February 24. 1927. John grew up in the Cow Hollow area of San Francisco, and graduated from Galileo High School where he excelled at playing baseball. John later served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. John was a proud San Franciscan which led him to joining the San Francisco Police Department on January 4, 1960. John is listed as being an Assistant Credit Manager prior to entering the S.F.P.D. John completed his 3 months in the Police Academy, was assigned to Star #1146, and then served at the following assignments during his 28 plus year career: Park Police Station (April 11, 1960), Richmond Police Station (February 5, 1961), Central Police Station (February 13, 1962), Company K (Traffic) E&I (November 23, 1962), HDQR Legal (August 1, 1971), Richmond Police Station (August 23, 1978), Personnel (March 14, 1979, promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant on June 13, 1979), Company K (February 13, 1980, Legal (November 19, 1980, and was promoted to the rank of Police Inspector on October 22, 1980), Hit and Run (April 7, 1986). John retired with a Service Pension on July 7, 1988. John loved the San Francisco Giants professional baseball team and worked as a ticket taker at Candlestick Park for many years after his retirement. He was thrilled when the Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014. John is survived by his children David Minoli and Marlene Minoli-Thiel, and his grandchildren: Stephanie Thiel, Andrew Thiel, and Matthew Minoli. John loved his family, as well as good Italian food, good wine, singing and dancing. He will be greatly missed.
Harry Paretchan, age 89: Harry Paretchan was born on March 25, 1932, in Fresno, California. Harry’s family moved to San Francisco in 1939. Prior to his many years of public service in San Francisco, Harry served his country during the Korean Conflict. Harry discharged as a decorated veteran. Harry is listed as being employed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department. Harry entered the San Francisco Police Department on April 16, 1956. Harry graduated from the Police Academy and was assigned to Star #115. Harry worked the following assignments during his 7 years career in the S.F.P.D.: Taraval Police Station (July 9, 1956), Central Police Station (January 2, 1957), Richmond Police Station (October 16, 1957), and back to Central Police Station as his final S.F.P.D. stop (June 20, 1960). Harry transferred to the San Francisco Fire Department on November 1, 1962. Harry had a distinguished career in the S.F. Fire Department. Harry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1977, and was voted Fire Fighter of the Year in 1984 before retiring in 1991. In 1981, Harry enhanced his public service by establishing the San Francisco Fire Fighters Chili Cook-Off competition, which benefitted the St. Francis Burn Center, Fort Mason Foundation, Kevin Collins Foundation for missing children, SF Suicide Prevention, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He realized his greater duty to all active and retired City and County of San Francisco Employees when he ran for and was elected to the City Health Service System Board in 1971. Harry served the Board as Vice President, President, and eventually as the Commissioner. In 1991 on the date of his retirement from the S.F.F.D., he was awarded the honorary designation of Commissioner Emeritus to the Health Service Board. In Harry’s later years he enjoyed being a member of the Marin County Barbershop Chorus, working hard to raise funds for their annual concert. Harry was predeceased by his father Bob, mother Queenie, and brother Charles. He is survived by his ex-wife Carol Paretchan Meyer, daughter Lynn, son Mark, grandchildren Steven, Charlie and Mia; and his beloved Labrador Retriever, Sadie. Harry will be missed dearly by all his friends and family who he enjoyed playing golf, tennis, hiking, singing Barbershop and meeting at McDonald’s in Novato for a cup of coffee with.
Report of Special Committee: No Special Committee at this time.
New Business: No report this month.
Old Business: With the “New Normal” state restrictions for inside-outside dining, the Board is attempting to schedule a dinner for 2019 WOAA President Ray Kane. Ray performed an outstanding job as our 2019 President and Board leader. Due the
Covid- 19 Pandemic restrictions, we were unable to honor Ray for his time, dedication and leadership during his year as WOAA President.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President O’Meara led our Board in a moment of silence for the passing of John Minoli, and for all fallen members. President O’Meara scheduled our next monthly meeting, by Zoom technology, for Tuesday November 10, 2020, at 1200 hours,
To All Members: Members may access a NEW Beneficiary form from our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on the Resources box on our face page and click on the link. Complete the form with all requested information and obtain a signature from a Notary, or one of the WOAA Board Members. Send the form to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660 for any questions or guidance. We thank the following people who greatly assist our efforts on a continual basis: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current Defense Administrator of the SFPOA Paul Chignell, Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper Website Rene LaPrevotte, Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor the SFPOA Journal Ray Shine, David Ng of Personnel, Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, and the entire Traffic Command and Officers who have graciously afforded us space for our meetings and files.