The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday September 8, 2026, at 1100 hours.
Roll Call: Jim O’Meara (Interim President), Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Maureen Leonard, Lou Barberini, Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present. Former President Ray Kane and Former Trustee Rob Forneris both resigned-on August 27, 2024. Trustee Maureen Leonard and Treasurer Dean Taylor resigned after this September 8, 2026 meeting, effective September 15, 2026.
Our regular order of business was pre-empted in order to nominate and vote for a new President and two new Trustees. Jim O’Meara made a motion to take the position of interim President. Jim received a first by Trustee Leroy Lindo, and a second by Trustee Ryan Walsh, and was subsequently voted-in for Interim President. President O’Meara asked the Trustees for recommendations for the two Trustee vacancies. Trustee Maureen Leonard recommended Rich Cibotti, and Trustee Ryan Walsh recommended Dominque Ellis. Each new Trustee received a first and a second and were voted in as our new Trustees on the WOAA Board.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ryan Walsh made a motion to accept last month’s meeting in August of 2026.Trustee Maureen Leonard seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions and Reinstatements: There are no new suspensions or reinstatements. New Trustee Dominque Ellis accepted the task of presenting our membership to new recruit classes. Dominque will reach out to the 287th, 288th, and the 289th classes that have already left the Police Academy for the FTO Program.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the monthly bills and the beneficiary claims for recently deceased members for David Bowman, Laurence Mahar, and Rebecca Robertson. Trustee Lindo made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the passing of three of our members:
William Joseph Cahill, age 84: William Joseph Cahill was born on March 7, 1942 in Waterbury, CT. On this very day the first class of Tuskegee Airmen graduated from the Tuskegee Airfield in Alabama. William entered the San Francisco Police Department on December 16, 1969, and was assigned to Star#1303. William worked the following assignments during his 28-year career: Potrero Police Station (February 27, 1970), City Prison (May 16, 1971), Ingleside Police Station (November 16, 1978), Traffic Hit & Run (April 23, 1980, promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on June 4, 1980, and Inspector in 1982), Burglary (August 10, 1980), P&T DP (February 23, 1984), Burglary (April 23, 1984). William Joseph Cahill retired with a Service Pension on July 6, 1997. AWARDS: Police Officers William J. Cahill, Charles C. Coates, and James C. Parashis were each awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on April 18, 1971, at 2300 hours. A vehicle driven at high speed and in an erratic manner caught their attention. The Officers learned that the vehicle was taken in an armed robbery. The suspects fired several shots at the Officers during the chase until their stolen vehicle ran out of gas and came to a halt. The suspects were placed in custody and their weapons were seized. Police Officers William J. Cahill and David J. Bowman were each awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on December 22, 1980, at 1400 hours. Cahill and Bowman heard a broadcast of an armed robbery at the Holiday Lodge at 1901 Van Ness Street. Three suspects were traveling in a beige over brown Cadillac travelling southbound on Gough Street. Cahill and Bowman intercepted them and the suspect vehicle crashed at Pierce St. and Golden Gate Avenue. One suspect exited the vehicle and was pulling out a handgun. Officer Cahill fired three shots at the suspect who then fled on foot. The suspect was overtaken by Bowman several blocks away. Suspects were all placed in custody.
Louis E. Calabro, age 93: Louis E. Calabro was born on October 7, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York. Lou was the first member of his family to graduate from High School and College. Lou earned his Bachelor’s Degree, and later a Masters Degree. Lou dedicated his life to serving his country, beginning with entering the United States Navy at age 19. Lou was initially stationed in Long Beach, CA. Lou served during the Korean Conflict as an Electrician’s Mate First Class. After his discharge from the Navy, Lou moved to San Francisco and worked briefly in the Insurance Industry. Lou entered the San Francisco Police Department on November 1, 1961, and was assigned to Star #867. Lou worked the following assignments during his 30-year career: Park Police Station (April 9, 1962, Taraval Police Station (May 16, 1963), City Prison (June 24, 1963), Central Police Station (September 7, 1964), Northern Police Station (September 19, 1965), City Prison (December 1, 1967), Ingleside Police Station (promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and transferred on August 1, 1969), Taraval Police Station (April 20, 1970), Ingleside Police Station (March 23, 1973), Permits (January 25, 1978), Park Police Station ( November 14, 1979), Communications (October 29 1980), Central Police Station (July 27, 1985), Richmond Police Station (January 25, 1986 and later promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant on May 19, 1986), Communications (September 17, 1988), Property Control (January 9, 1989). Louis E. Calabro retired with a Service Pension on September 12, 1991). While working in the San Francisco Police Department, Lou was a founding member of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, and worked as their Treasurer. AWARDS: Lou was awarded with a Captain’s Commendation for services rendered on November 2, 1963. Lou’s investigation while assigned at City Prison led to the knowledge that one of the Inmates of the Prison was an escapee from a Florida chain gang. In retirement, Lou enjoyed playing tennis and bocce ball. Lou spent his time with his family and was active in his church. Lou took his grandchildren on adventures such as bringing them along when he was building a house in Juarez, Mexico. Lou is survived by his second wife and best friend Aida Cordanu, and his daughters Sheila Calabro (Joy), Brenda Calabro-Collins (Dennis), and Gianna Calabro (former husband Tony Perez).
Thomas P. Donohoe, age 85: Thomas P. Donohoe was born on December 7, 1942 in San Francisco, CA, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tom grew up attending Catholic Schools and graduated from Riordan High School (Now Archbishop Riordan High School), and later earned his bachelor’s degree at Cal-State Hayward. He joined the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country for eight years. His military time took him overseas, including a tour in Thailand during the Viet Nam War. Following his military service, Tom returned home to San Francisco and began a distinguished 30-year career in Law Enforcement. Thomas Patrick Donohoe entered the San Francisco Police Department on September 2, 1969, and was assigned to Star #1427. Tom worked the following assignments during his career: Central Police Station (January 2, 1979), Vice Crimes (October 5, 1977), Richmond Police Station (October 24, 1979), S Squad (/Personal Crimes (October 22, 1980, Tom was promoted to Police Sergeant on November 5, 1980), General Work (December 16, 1981), Fraud (September 14, 1983), U.S. Marshalls (January 5, 1984), Fraud (May 5, 1984), Co.K Solos (Tom was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant and transferred to the Solos on September 19, 1984), Communications April 11, 1987), Auto (March 26, 1988), Robbery (July 7, 1990), Legal (August 31, 1991), Communications ()October 9, 1993, and promoted to the rank of NCS Captain on March 7, 1994), Traffic (February 10, 1996), Chief’s Office (February 1, 1977), Detailed to the Department of Electricity and Telecommunications (reverted to Q-60 Police Lieutenant on March 22, 1990). Thomas Patrick Donohoe retired with a Service Pension on January 31, 2000. AWARDS: Thomas P. Donohoe, with Inspector Steven J. Gudelj, and Officers Thomas J. Griffin, and Phillip J. Dito were each awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on Friday April 13, 1979. The Officers, at 1339 hours, were informed of an Armed Robbery at Gilda’s shop at 2600 Sacramento Street. The Officers sealed off the area and conducted a systemized search pattern. Shortly thereafter, one of the suspects emerged on the run from a driveway on the 2600 block of Sacramento, and ran into Alta Plaza Park. The Officers ordered the suspect to halt. The suspect turned to the Officers and pointed his weapon at them. The suspect then ran but stumbled and fell. The Officers converged on the suspect, disarmed him, and placed him in custody. Lieutenant Thomas P. Donohoe, with Inspectors Calvin Nutting, James Bergstrom, Armond Pelesetti, Laurence Ramlan, Glenn Pamfiloff, and Duane Otis, and Asst. Inspectors John Erlich and Robert McMillan, and Officers John Lewis, Michael Robinson, and John Robertson were each awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on August 15, 1990. The Officers each played an integral part in the clearance of 21 robberies in San Francisco, five robberies in Daly City, and numerous stolen auto cases. Three dangerous felons were taken into custody for the offenses. Lt. Thomas P. Donohoe, with Inspectors Gary Fox, Mark Mahoney, Calvin Nutting, Laurence Ramlan, Paul Falconer, Jeffrey Levin, and Sergeants Richard Bruce, Michael Puccinelli, James Bosch, and Officers James Ludlow and Thomas Vellone were each awarded with a Police Commission Commendation. There is no date given. The above-named Officers combined to stop dangerous dope addicts committed to a life of robbery and drug use. The organization and planning resulted in confessions to 11 robberies and led to the arrest of two dangerous felons. Lt. Thomas P. Donohoe, with Inspectors Robert Brodnik, Lewis Bronfeld, Dominic Celaya, Robert McMillan, Mike Stasko, Robert Totah, and Officer John J. Garrity were each awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for an investigation in July of 1990, under the direction of Lt. Thomas Donohoe. The program’s targeted areas were the Tenderloin District and South of Market areas. The named areas had an increase in serious crimes. During the 10 weeks of the implemented program, the above-named Officers arrested 200 Parolees, and 153 for other felony arrests. The program reduced city wide robberies by 17%.
Report of Special Committee: No update from our Actuarial Study.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: See resignations and newly appointed Trustees in the above Roll Call section of the minutes. After the meeting, I made a motion to retain an Erisa Attorney to review our business style and agenda, and to evaluate our financial status in regard to our investment firm, and auditing firm
Good of the Order: No Report this month.
Adjournment: President O’Meara led our Board in a moment of silence for all our fallen brothers. President O’Meara adjourned the meeting and scheduled our next meeting for October. The meeting will be at Northern Police Station.
To All Members: Members can obtain a new beneficiary form from our website at sfwidowsandorphas.org. Click on Resources and follow the link. Please complete the form with all requested information and contact Mark McDonough at (415) 681-3660 or at sfwidowsorphans825@gmail com. Each month we acknowledge the people who assist us for our membership: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the Defense Administrator of the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA), Paul Chignell; retried San Francisco Police Lieutenant who reaches out to many retired and active Officers, Rene LaPrevotte; retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the editor of the SFPOA Journal Newspaper, Ray Shine; Joron Coleman of Personnel, and Stacy Youngblood of the Police Commission Office.
