The Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street, room #150 in San Francisco, California. The meeting was held on Tuesday February 9, 2016.
Roll Call: President Sally Foster, Vice President John Centurioni, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, James O’Meara, Al Luenow, and John Keane were present. Sgt. Phillip Fee of Traffic Company was present for a short time.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to approve the minutes from last month’s meeting that was held on Tuesday January 12, 2016. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ray Kane and passed without objection.
Receiving Applications for New Members; Suspensions, and Reinstatements: I will be responding the S.F. Police Academy on Tuesday February 23, 2016 to present our Organization for membership to the #250 Lateral recruit class.
Communications and Bills: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills and death benefits to the beneficiaries of the following members who passed this month: Joseph Cotla, Arvo Kannisto, Ray Macaulay, Angela Martin, Donald Matisek, and John McKenna.
Trustee John Keane seconded the motion which passed without objection
Donations were received by the WOAA by the following supporters: In the memory of retired Lieutenant Matteo Genna, $120.00 from Benevenuta Brand, $20.00 from Robyn Canevascini, and $100.00 from the Sacramento County Office of Education. We also received an incredibly generous donation to our general fund by Barry Kane of Trinity Properties on behalf of his recently passed father-in-law Angelo Sangiacomo. Angelo had the utmost respect for the Officers of the San Francisco Police Department, and their hard work and dedication in protecting the citizens of San Francisco, a City he cared for deeply. This donation was extended by Barry from Yvonne Sangiacomo and the entire Sangiacomo family. Past President and current Trustee John Keane assisted in facilitating the donation.
Report of Visiting Committee: Trustee Leroy Lindo reported his attendance at the Memorial Service for Angela Martin and stated it was well attended. John Keane reported his attendance at the Memorial Service for Franco Flemming and also stated that it was well attended. Both Lindo and Keane stated that each service delivered a respectful tribute to our passed members.
Report of Trustees: We received notice of the passing of the following WOAA members:
Joseph Cotla: Joseph Cotla was born in Fairfield, California in 1927. Joseph was listed as “Brinks Guard” prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department. Joe entered the S.F.P.D. on January 18, 1960 and wore star #102. Joe graduated from the Police Academy and was assigned to Central Police Station on April 11, 1960. Joe worked the following units during his career: Potrero Police Station (February 5, 1961), Mission Police Station (February 13, 1962), HQ CP&R (March 2, 1964), Property Clerk (July 1, 1976), and Taraval Police Station (January 18, 1978). Joe retired with a service pension on November 30, 1989 after serving the citizens of San Francisco for nearly 30 years. Joe was awarded a Second Grade Meritorious Medal of Valor for services rendered on October 21, 1961, in the arrest of three suspects who had committed an assault on their two victims. Joe was on foot patrol when he heard the victims screaming for help. Joe ran to the scene and observed the suspect(s) beating the victim with a tire iron and stabbing at them with a razor. Joe fired one shot over the heads of the suspects stopping the attack. Joe took the suspects into custody.
Arvo W. Kannisto, age 97: Arvo Kannisto was born in San Francisco, California. Arvo’s listed “Previous Occupation” prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department was “Student”. Arvo entered the S.F.P.D. on December 17, 1945. Arvo’s listed star number is ‘one-two-three-four, or #1234. Arvo graduated from the Police Academy on June 24, 1946 and the following units were his chronological assignments in his career: Potrero Police Station (June 24,1946), Richmond Police Station (July 16, 1946), Northern Police Station (July 21, 1947), Richmond Police Station (July 20, 1953 Promoted to Sergeant on August 16, 1953), Ingleside Police Station (February 16, 1956), Park Police Station (January 27, 1958), Richmond Police Station (June 13, 1960), Potrero Police Station (November 9, 1964), Supervising Captain’s Office (December 1, 1967), Taraval Police Station (February 20, 1969, Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant), Richmond Police Station (April 7, 1971), Ingleside Police Station (July 20, 1971), Mission Police Station (June 1, 1972), Potrero Police Station (June 17, 1973), Personnel (June 1, 1975), Mission Police Station (October 12, 1975), Northern Police Station (September 5, 1976), Taraval Police Station (November 17, 1976), and the Support Services Bureau Communications (January 3, 1977). Arvo retired on August 30, 1977 after more than 30 years of service.Arvo and his partner Wiliam Taylor received a Meritorious Award First Grade for services rendered on June 16, 1950 in rescuing a woman from the waters of San Francisco Bay. The Officers went out approximately 150 feet into San Francisco Bay to rescue the woman. Arvo was awarded a Second Grade Meritorious Award for services rendered on November 19, 1958 for the arrest of a suspect who fired several shots at the officers. The officers used “tear gas” to effect the arrest. Other Officers were Robert Marshall, Peter Cappadona, William Mott, and Burton Bishop. Arvo was awarded another Second Grade Meritorious Award for services rendered on October 26, 1959 for the arrest of a suspect who had stabbed and slashed his female companion. The suspect used a large knife and attempted to stab the officers who drew their service revolvers in defense of their lives prior to taking the suspect into custody. Officer Chapman Riese also received a Second Grade Meritorious Award.
Raymond P. Macaulay, age 84: Ray Macaulay was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on November 7, 1931.Ray was the youngest of seven children born to John and Delia Macaulay. Ray’s father John was a veteran of the Jersey City Police Department. After graduating from High School, Ray joined the United States Army and served in the Korean War. After the War, Ray worked for the Army in Japan as a private contractor. It was during that period that Ray met and married his wife Misayo. Ray returned from Japan with his wife and settled in San Francisco where he was the first member of his family to join and serve San Francisco as a San Francisco Police Officer. Ray was a resident of San Francisco since 1956, and joined the S.F.P.D. on November 1, 1961. Ray was a Grocery Clerk prior to be San Francisco Police Officer. Ray’s star is listed as #1312. Ray worked in the following units during his career: Taraval Police Station (April 9, 1962 after the Police Academy), Potrero Police Station (May 16, 1963), Northern Police Station (August 1, 1971), P&T (July 13, 1977), Park Police Station (July 27, 1977), and Richmond Police Station (April 9, 1980 promoted to the rank of Sergeant). Ray Macaulay retired with a service pension on September 15, 1989 after more than 28 years of service. Ray was followed into the S.F.P.D. by his nephew Sgt. John Macaulay, numerous grandnephews and a grandniece. Ray and Misayo enjoyed traveling to Lake Tahoe, and were able to travel back to Japan as part of a special trip for them. He was an avid poker player and entered several tournaments. Ray was survived by his wife Misayo, and his children Raymond Jr., Kenneth (Pam), and daughter Judith (Dan) and several grandchildren. Ray was also survived by his sister Catherine Macaulay of Convent Station, New Jersey, and sister-in-law Jeanette Macaulay and many nieces and nephews.
Angela Martin, age 62: Angela (McClure) Martin was born in Montgomery, Alabama. Prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department, Angela was listed as a”Copywriter/Nursing Assistant”. Angela entered the S.F.P.D. on January 7, 1980 at age 26. Angela graduated from the Academy on August 24, 1980 and was assigned to Central Police Station. Angela was assigned to star #1359. Angela worked at the following units during her career: Central Police Station, Co. K (November 28, 1980), Central Police Station (December 28, 1980), Southern Police Station (January 11, 1981), P & T to Records (March 10, 1981), Vice Crimes and back to Southern Police Station (June 17, 1981), FOB (July 27, 1983), Southern Police Station (July 1, 1984), Richmond Police Station (August 5, 1985), Promoted to Sergeant and assigned to Investigations (April 7, 1986), Juvenile Detail (July 12, 1986), Sex Crimes (also promoted to rank of Inspector on May 2, 1987). Angela retired with a service retirement on June 8, 2008.
Donald W. Matisek, age 80: Donald W. Matisek was born in San Francisco, California. Don was a “Teamster” prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department on January 9, 1961. Don wore star #883 and graduated from the Police Academy on April 17, 1961. Don worked at the following units during his career: Park Police Station (April 17, 1961), Central Police Station (February 19, 1962), Potrero Police Station (April 16, 1963), Communications (November 9, 1964), Co. K C & PC (May 2, 1966), Co.K Schools (August 8, 1973), and finally at FOB on August 3, 1991. Don retired with a service pension on February 14, 1992 after 30 years of service to the City and County of San Francisco. Don was awarded two Meritorious Third Grade Medals of Valor. Don, for services rendered on March 1, 1963 participated in an arrest of a suspect who had been threatening the occupants of an apartment building with a firearm. Officers had to force their way into an apartment to arrest the armed suspect. Lt. Robert McKiernan Jr., and Officers Martin Bastiani, John J. Coffey, William Daily, and John J. Kennedy were also participants and were awarded. For services rendered on September 21, 1966 Don was awarded his second Third Grade Meritorious Medal of Valor for the arrest of two Armed Robbery Suspects. The Officers responded to the Bank holdup, located the suspect, grabbed him and disarmed him. His “confederate” who was sitting in the getaway car was then apprehended by the officers.
John E. McKenna, age 86: John E. McKenna was born on November 13, 1929 in San Francisco, California. John passed away on January 15, 2016 in Roseville, California due to complications from a stroke. John was the son of late John J. and Alice (Foster) McKennna, and brother to the late Carole Haggmark. John was a graduate of Poly High School and City College of San Francisco where he studied Criminal Justice. John served his country with distinction in the Korean War where he was awarded with a Bronze Star for his actions with the Counter-Intelligence detachment of X Corps. Following his honorable discharge, John worked as a Banker and later joined the San Francisco Police Department on June 16, 1957. John wore star #358 and graduated from the Police Academy on September 23, 1957. John worked at the following units during his S.F.P.D. career: Mission Police Station (September 23, 1957), Richmond Police Station (May 19, 1958), Ingleside Police Station (May19, 1958), Central Police Station (December 17, 1962), B.S.S. (September 7, 1964), Inspectors Bureau (September 16, 1966), Intelligence (August 3, 1977 and officially promoted to the rank of Full Inspector on January 1, 1975), G.T.F. (September 13, 1977), and finally back to Intelligence (August 9, 1978). John worked Intelligence until his service pension retirement on November 3, 1986 after a career of over 29 years. John was highly decorated and his success in Investigations included successful convictions in the Golden Dragon Massacre. John was awarded a Meritorious Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on November 4, 1963 with his partner Officer John D. Irish. The Officers arrested an armed suspect who had fired several shots at patrons of a tavern. The suspect had locked himself in a room and it was necessary to use Tear Gas to force open the door and make the arrest. John and his partner Robert L. Stone were awarded a Meritorious Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on April 19, 1963. McKenna and Stone prevented a woman from jumping to her death from a roof of a five story apartment building. It was necessary for the Officers to climb out onto a narrow ledge in order to grab the woman and pull her to safety. Inspector John McKenna, with Inspectors Ron Schneider, Albert Podesta, Diarmuid Philpott, George Huegle, and Tim Simmons were awarded the Meritorious Conduct Award for their Investigation and services rendered from Sunday August 12, 1973 to Monday March 17, 1975. During this time, the Inspectors conducted an intense investigation into the execution-type murder of a Chinatown gang leader. For the first time, a Chinese gang was penetrated and its members defeated to the point where they testified against each other which resulted in the suspect being convicted of first degree murder. Upon his retirement from the San Francisco Police Department, John spent the next five years working international security for National Semiconductor in Sunnyvale, California. After John’s five years with National Semiconductor, he and his wife Marilyn relocated to their home in Folsom, California. John was predeceased in 1983 by his first wife Juliana (O’Brien) of San Francisco. John is survived by his five children John (Melanie), Joyce (Robert), Jaqueline (Frank), William (Edna), and Michael (Tammie). John’s blended family with Marilyn welcomed James (Virginia), Stephanie (Charles), and Derrick (Maria) to the family. John is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Report of Special Committee: Our Special Committee for the WOAA Constitution and By-Laws ‘rewrite” will now go forward. We suspended the committee’s actions until we received the results from our Actuarial Study that was printed in last month’s minutes in the POA Journal. Next month we will continue our task of updating and rewriting sections of our Constitution and By-Laws to reflect the current changes of our era.
Unfinished Business: Trustee Ray Kane will compose a cover letter that will be sent to members with payroll authorization forms for the ensuing dues increases of 2017-2018.
New Business: No new business at this time.
Good of the Association:
Adjournment: President Sally Foster led our Board Members in a ‘moment of silence’ for all our fallen members and their families. President Foster scheduled our next monthly meeting for Tuesday March 8, 2016. The meeting is scheduled for 1:45pm in room #150 at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street in San Francisco, California.
To All Members: Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. For beneficiary forms, please click on the RESOURCES BOX which is located on the upper right side of the tool bar on our face page. Please use a desk top computer. The RESOURCES BOX will open and the forms are accessible. Please print and complete the form. A change of beneficiary requires a signature from 1.) a WOAA board member, or 2.) Notary. Please use this form for change of address or contact information. A change of address or contact information DOES NOT require a signature. Please mail the completed forms to WOAA, P.O. Box 880034, San Francisco, California, 94188. I can be contacted by telephone at 415 681-3660, and by email ‘markmac825@comcast.net’. A copy of the 2015 Summary Annual Report can be accessed on our website. Continued thanks and gratitude go out to Retired Captain Paul Chignell of the POA who assists on a regular basis with membership communication and location. Captain Nick Rainsford and David Ng of Personnel assist us with employee service information for our obituary section. Sergeant Rachael Kilshaw and Risa Tom of the Police Commission support our obituary column with Department Awards information on our fallen members. And finally, Ray Shine, POA Editor, edits and completes this report for presentation in the POA Journal and to TRAFFIC COMPANY for their generosity of space and time for our monthly meetings.