The monthly meeting of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association for April was called to order by President Bob Mattox on Tuesday April 9, 2013 at 1:45pm, in room 150 at the Hall of Justice.
Roll Call of Officers: President Robert Mattox, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees John Centurioni, Sally Foster, and Joe Reilly were present. Vice President Al Leunow, and Trustees John Keane, and Harold Vance were excused.
President Maddox opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of the minutes of the March 2013 meeting: A motion was made by Centurioni and Seconded by Reilly to approve the March minutes. The motion passed with no objections.
Receiving applications for new members, suspensions and reinstatements: There were no applications for new members, or suspensions and reinstatements. There will be a new lateral transfer class in April, and a full recruit class in May. We will respond to the Police Academy and address the recruits with an opportunity to join the WOAA within our guidelines.
Communications and bills: Trustee Reilly made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Trustee Centurioni. The motion passed no objections.
Report of Visiting Committee: None.
Report of Trustees: The Association received notice of two member deaths this past month.
Gale W. Wright, 79 years, was born on April 22, 1933 in Oxnard, California. Gale entered the San Francisco Police Academy on 10-16-57 after previously working as a Postal Inspector. A month later Gale was detailed to Taraval Police Station. Gale subsequently worked at Central and Ingleside Stations, Communications, the Traffic Bureau, Mission Station, the Hit and Run Detail, and was promoted to Sergeant on 3-17-71. Gale retired from Southern Police Station on 01-07-86. Refer to POA Journal April 2013 edition for a more detailed article on Gale’s career. POA Journal Editor Ray Shine wrote a tribute dedicated to Gale and referenced Gale’s ten years work as the POA newspaper editor. Gale also was a POA representative for the Traffic Company and served as a Retiree Representative on the POA Board of Directors. Ray’s article lists some of Gale’s accomplishments and involvement in police officer rights and benefits.
Thomas H. Duncan. Thomas retired as a Sergeant from the San Francisco Police Department. Thomas was born the youngest of eight children from Bear Creek, Cass County, Texas on May 4, 1924. Thomas was a Navy veteran of WWII. Thomas was devoted to family as he is survived by seven children from two marriages, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Thomas was well traveled as he had traveled to all seven continents, seventy-eight countries, and all 50 states. “It was a great life”. Thomas passed away peacefully on March 26, 2013, at home and surrounded by his loved ones. Thomas is survived by his wife, Jean Capra Duncan, who he married in 1982, and the above mentioned children, step-children, grand children and great-grandchildren.
William Medlin, a retired member of the San Francisco Police Department passed away recently. William Medlin was born in 1934 and was appointed to the SFPD on 3-1-58. I was unable to obtain further information.
Report of the Special Committee: None.
Unfinished Business: A motion was made by Trustee Reilly and seconded by Trustee Centurioni to add a $150 gift card to the plaque that honors Past-President Matt Gardner. This gift was in lieu of staging a formal dinner.
New Business: None.
Good of the Association: A formal letter of thanks and appreciation will be drafted and sent to Wells Fargo, our financial investment associates. President Mattox attended a free business lunch hosted by J.P. Morgan, and was pleased to report that the suggested diversification investment portfolio coincided with what our advisers have provided for the WOAA.
Adjournment: President Mattox set the next meeting for May 14, 2013 at 3:30pm at the Wells Fargo Bank on Montgomery St. A meeting with our Wells Fargo representatives will follow at 4:30. A moment of silence was observed for our deceased members. President Maddox adjourned the meeting at 2:45pm.
All Members: We have approximately 100 members who have not paid their 2013 dues, please forward a check to the address listed below, to avoid a suspension which occurs after a six month non-payment of dues.
Please be sure that your beneficiary forms are up to date with your current information and your choice of beneficiary. We can be contacted at 415 681-3660.
You can set up a direct deposit in January of each year to pay our annual dues. This can be done through your financial institution, or mail a check to:
WOAA
P.O. Box 880034
SF, CA 94188
Submitted by Mark McDonough,
Secretary