The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday December 13, 2022 on Zoom technology.
Roll Call: President Rob Forneris, Vice President Louis Barberini, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Maureen Leonard, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new applications, suspensions, or reinstatements. Trustee Ray Kane will respond to the San Francisco Regional Police Academy soon to present our membership to the 277th Recruit Class. The following former WOAA members were suspended on April 1, 2022, and dropped from the roll for non-payment of dues on August 1, 2022: Addyson Aguirre, Joel Ayelworth, James Barber Michael Bordessa, Michael Cattaneo, and Ali Zachariya.The above named dropped members were dropped in April 2022, and were contacted by phone or email and declined to continue their membership.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the standard monthly bills and the beneficiary request for our passed member James Tedesco. President Rob Forneris made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary to the family of James Tedesco. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion. The motion passed. Donations: The following donations were received by the WOAA in the name and honor of our recently passed member Fred Pardella: John and Geraldine Marotto, Sonja T. Wilkin, Susan Manning, Thomas and Carol O’Donnell; and in the name and honor of James Tedesco: Ken and Rachel Mercer, Cynthia Auman, Morre and Company LLC. The WOAA expresses their gratitude to these donors for honoring their friend and supporting the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad new regarding the passing of our following members:
Peter Buckley, age 90: Patrick Buckley was a Clerk Typist prior to entering Law Enforcement. Patrick began his career in Law Enforcement on December 16, 1954. Patrick entered the San Francisco Police Academy and was assigned to Star #973. Patrick worked the following assignments during his 27 plus years in the San Francisco Police Department: Central Police Station (March 11, 1957), Northern Police Station (November 4, 1957), City Prison (January 13, 1958), Northern Police Station (May 11, 1962), City Prison (September 10, 1962), Operations Center (June 23, 1976), Personnel (July 26, 1976), Ingleside Police Station (February 11, 1977). Patrick Buckley retired with a service pension on January 10, 1984.
Robbie E. Corley, age 78: Robbie Earl Corley was born on March 5, 1944 in New Mexico. Robbie was raised in Texas by his loving grandparents Mam’ ma and Pap ‘pa Stewart. Robbie was a high school athlete, and attracted the attention of all the school girls. After high school, Robbie served his country for four years as a member of the United States Air Force. While stationed in United Kingdom, Robbie met and married his English wife of nearly 55 years, Marion Wendholt. After having their first-born daughter Joanne, Robbie and Marion relocated to the San Francisco Bay area to fulfill Robbie’s life-long dream of becoming a Police Officer. Robbie left his job as a Salesman, and entered the San Francisco Police Department on December 16, 1969. Robbie was assigned to Star #809 and worked the following assignments during his 30-year career: Park Police Station (February 27, 1970), Taraval Police Station (April 20, 1972), Northern Police Station (May 28, 1972), Park Police Station (June 17. 1973), Ingleside Police Station (October 28, 2973), Mission Police Station (January 1, 1975), Communications (November 17, 1976), Central Police Station (April 6, 1977), Communications (August 3, 1979), Richmond Police Station (January 18, 1993). Robbie remained at Richmond Police Station until his service pension retirement on June 30, 1999. During his career, Robbie’s daughter Sara was born in 1971, The Corleys resided in Redwood City, California on a tree-lined street. There were several families with children near the Corleys. Neighbors and their children looked up-to Robbie as a “protector” and go-to type of friend for any help or emergency. The Corleys raised their daughters to be respectful and kind to others. Robbie was an animal lover. The Corleys not only welcomed friends and neighbors into their home, but also welcomed several rescued dogs, hamsters, pet rats, parakeets, parrots, and tropical fish. Robbie’s aquarium inhabitants included a crawdad named Feisty, hermit crabs, and sea monkeys. Joanne purchased a mail-order white Peking Duck Egg that Robbie hand hatched. Robbie and Marion created gardens of roses and other plants, as well as several types of vegetables and herbs. After retiring from the San Francisco Police Department, Robbie and Marion moved to Angels Camp in the Sierra Foothills. Shortly after the move, Sara moved to Angels Camp, and Joanne settled in Maine. Robbie’s other hobbies, included tinkering with Classic Cars (he owned a 1962 Stingray Corvette and a 1946 Packard), watching old classic tv shows (westerns and crime dramas), backyard barbequing, watching movies (Robbie loved James Bond movies, comedies, and Sci-fi, watching 49er games, listening to wide variety of music (Willie Nelson, the Beach Boys to Gilbert and Sullivan and Dixieland Jazz), and flyfishing and camping. Robbie loved eating Mexican Food and drinking an occasional beer. When asked by a waiter or waitress as to what type of beer he would like, Robbie frustrated the help by saying “any kind as long as it is ice cold”. Robbie is survived by his wife Marion, his two daughters Joanne Wood (Doug), and Sara Signorello (Rob), his absolute pride and joy grandchildren Katie and Curtis Kowski, and his sweet little dog “Lovey”. Joanne and Sara will always remember their father as occasionally being a stubborn and opinionated pain in the ass, but also as a person who would do anything to help you.
Old Business: The WOAA Board continues to attempt to lure Past President Al Luenow from his new location in the Pacific Northwest. We wish to honor Al for his exemplary service as our President in the year 2021.
New Business: The WOAA board will make the following Board changes in January 2023, Lou Barberini will guide us as our President, Ryan Walsh will move up to Vice President, Mark McDonough will continue as the WOAA Secretary, and Rob Forneris will step down from his position of President and will fill the void of Trustee.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Rob Forneris led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for our fallen members. Rob scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday January 10, 2023 on Zoom technology.
To All Members: We express our thanks and gratitude the following supportive people who assist our efforts in providing the best customer service possible. Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current and long-standing Defense Administrator for the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA), Paul Chignell; Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper Email that reaches out to thousands of Law Enforcement Officers, Rene LaPrevotte; Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal Newspaper, Ray Shine; David Ng of Personnel, and our new representative in the Office of the Police Commissioner Kristine Singh. Kristine has been assigned to take over the responsibilities of Risa Tom who has retired from service. Risa has been our contact for many years and provided her assistance to us by researching the awards of our members who have passed away. Congratulation Risa for your well-earned retirement.
Welcome aboard Kristine.
