Tuesday January 14. 2014
The monthly meeting of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the Police Department of San Francisco, for January of 2014 was called to Order by President Bob Mattox at the Hall of Justice in room#150 at 1:45pm. Robert Mattox turned the meeting over to Al Luenow who is the new 2014 President. The meeting started at 1:45pm at in room 150 at the Hall of Justice.
Roll Call of Officers:
Wells Fargo Abbot-Downing representatives Jerome Paolini and Ash Daggs gave a positive year-end report of our portfolio investments showing growth in our account. This report pre-empted our usual course of business, which followed immediately thereafter.
President Bob Mattox, Vice President Al Luenow, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees John Keane, John Centurioni, Sally Foster, Joe Reilly, and Ray Kane were present at the meeting. Trustee Leroy Lindo was excused. New installment of officers for 2014 commenced with Al Luenow taking over as President, John Keane as Vice President, Mark McDonough and Dean Taylor remained as Secretary and Treasurer respectively, John Centurioni, Sally Foster, Joe Reilly, and Leroy Lindo remained as Trustees, and Ray Kane was installed as our new Trustee.
Approval of the minutes of our December 2013 meeting:
A motion was made by Trustee John Centurioni to approve last month’s minutes from the December 10, 2013. Trustee Sally Foster seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Receiving Applications for New Members; Suspensions, Members Released, and Reinstatements:
Trustee Leroy Lindo responded to the San Francisco Police Academy and signed up more than 40 recruits from Academy Class #239. Trustee Lindo and I will respond to the Academy on February 3, 2014 to address Academy Class #240 on membership to the WOAA. Approximately 95 recruits will be presented with an opportunity to join the WOAA. New applicants are covered by the Benefit during their FTO and Probation periods. However, an applicant is not a permanent member of the WOAA until they graduate from their Probationary Phase of the San Francisco Police Department. Any applicant who applies and is accepted into the WOAA is covered by the Benefit, but will be dropped from the membership if they do not successfully complete their Probationary Status.
After an exhaustive effort to reach unpaid members the past six months, I regrettably must print the names of those who either did not pay by choice, or were not contacted and are unaware of this release. We can resolve this issue beyond this point by having members pay their back dues and late fees. A motion was made by Trustee Joe Reilly to release the unpaid-suspended members from 2013. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. At this time, the following members, due to unpaid dues, are released from membership in the WOAA:
Victor Arrebollo, Nancy Brewer, William Brunicardi, Juliana Garcia, James Gratz,
Ronald Hollins, Kimberly LaSalle, Martin Loo, Iraj Mahvi, Steven Maionchi,
Lance Martin, Anh Nguyen, Maria Peregrina, Dagmar Strand, and Chi Young.
There are a few “promised payments” that we received currently of members from the unpaid list. I have not added their names to the list of released members. However, if their payment in full is not received by our meeting next month, they will be released from their membership.
Communications and Bills:
Communications included a letter sent by Secretary McDonough, to the Hearst Corporation. The letter included our sincere condolences for the loss of former San Francisco Police Officer and WOAA member Bernard Shaw, and our intention of sending the benefit upon receiving the necessary documents. Death Benefits were paid to the beneficiaries of Neville Gittens and John Lynch.
Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to pay the monthly bills. Trustee Sally Foster made a second on the motion which carried without objection. Ted Starky sent in a donation of $75 to the WOAA. All tax information was sent to our accountant. Members may request copies of reports for our WOAA bills, finances, accountant’s reports and our investment portfolio.
Report of Visiting Committee:
Several members of the WOAA board, along with countless Police Officers, retired Police Officers, Command Staff personnel, members of the media, family friends, and others were in attendance for the funeral service of retired Lt. Neville K. Gittens. Chief Greg Suhr gave a heart- warming and emotional speech describing Neville’s strength of character, warmth, professionalism, and his heart. The Chief’s speech captured the spirit and character of the man, the Police Officer, the leader, and friend we all knew as Neville.
Two of Neville’s closest friends, retired Commander Leroy Lindo and retired Sergeant Mike Lewis, gave testimony to Neville’s strength of character and their bond of friendship which tugged at our heartstrings. Neville will be missed by all who knew him and most certainly left us too early.
Report of Trustees:
At the time of this article, we received two reported deaths of our members:
John E. Lynch, age 91: John E. Lynch was born on 5-8-22, in his parent’s pub in London, England. He grew up in London and Essex and graduated from St. Bernard’s School in 1938. In 1940 he enlisted in the British Merchant Marines and sailed in convoys from Great Britain to New York across the North Atlantic. In 1943, he was transferred to the American Merchant Marines under the auspice of the U.S. Army. He then sailed throughout the South Pacific on troop ships. On one occasion his ship was torpedoed, on another it was bombed. While his ship was in the shop being repaired from Japanese attack, he met an Irishman who befriended him and introduced him to the Irish community in San Francisco, a city he came to love. At the end of World War II, he returned home to London and rekindled his relationship with Winifred Russell. John and Winifred were married in 1947. They immediately immigrated to the United States and settled in San Francisco. For several years John worked as a carpenter. On 4-16-56, John entered the San Francisco Police Department and was assigned to Star #1165. Prior to his promotion to Sergeant on 7-5-70, John had assignments at Southern and Potrero Stations (57’), and Ingleside Station where he served from 1957-1970. John was transferred to Central Police Station in January of 1971 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1981. John retired a little more than a year later on 08-24-82 from the Records Section. John was awarded numerous commendations and a Medal of Valor. John loved his career as a police officer, serving people in San Francisco and developing life-long friendships with police officers and members of the public. John was always enthusiastic about physical fitness and was an avid swimmer, bicyclist, and rower. He joined the South End Rowing Club in 1962, and swam in the bay every day of the year. He participated in numerous Golden Gate and Alcatraz swims, and swam from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park on his 80th birthday. John and Winifred traveled throughout the world, including yearly trips to visit family in London. He also bicycled the length of Baja, California and throughout New Zealand. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Ivy Lynch, Brother Peter (Tony) Lynch, and his daughter-in-law Sherri Lynch. John was survived by his wife of 66 years, Winifred Lynch, his two sons Michael and Robert (SFPD Retired/ Sit team Richmond Station), daughter-in-law Veronica, Grandson Christopher, Sister Noreen, brother-in-law Tom, sister-in-law Kathleen and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by family, friends and fellow South-Enders.
Bernard Shaw, age 68: Bernard Shaw was born on 9-3-45 in San Francisco. Bernie, as he was known to many, grew up on Delano St. in the Ingleside District. Bernie attended Corpus Christi Catholic grammar school, and later, Balboa High School. Bernie studied Karate and earned a Black Belt. Bernie joined the Army, and worked as a Label Clerk before joining the San Francisco Police Department. While in the SFPD, Bernie attended the University of San Francisco and eventually earned his bachelor’s degree. Bernie entered the SFPD on 12/16/69 and was assigned to Star #472. Bernie transferred to Ingleside Police Station in 1970. Bernie worked at Ingleside for over ten years and transferred to Richmond Police Station with an extended loan to CP&E. In 1979 Bernie married Patricia Hearst. On 4-1-81 Bernie transferred to the Community Service Detail. On 9-13-83 he filed for P&T leave, effectively resigning on 9-13-85. Bernie earned a promotion to Sergeant on 09-24-80, and another promotion to Inspector on 09-24-82. Bernie worked for the Hearst Corporation for three decades, and prior to his death served as the Vice President for corporate security. Bernie and his wife Patricia resided in Connecticut for many years. Recently he and Patricia moved to Garrison, New York. Bernard Shaw is survived by his wife, four children, and one grand-daughter.
The WOAA incurred 29 reported deaths of members in the year of 2013.
Report of Special Committee:
Our “www.sfwidowsandorphans.org” website is up and running. Please view the website for relevant forms, WOAA history and Past Presidents, photos, and information. Joe Reilly located a WOAA handbook from 1938, and is in search of more historical photos for the website. We ask for assistance from any member who has access to historical photos and information which will strengthen and support our website.
Unfinished Business:
Trustee Sally Foster is continuing her new project of researching Flower Shops for the sending of floral arrangements to the funeral services of our members. We are looking for quality flowers at a reasonable price. If any member has information or suggestions regarding this matter, please contact us at 415 681-3660, or use our website.
Secretary McDonough has contacted Matt McNaughton/Attorney at Law to review our Constitution re-write for recommendations and approval.
New Business:
We will have a Past President’s Dinner honoring Bob Mattox as our out-going President from 2013. The dinner will take place at IL Fornaio on 1-25-14 and includes past presidents and our Board members.
Good of the Association:
No report.
Adjournment:
The President and the Board observed a “moment of silence” for our fallen members. The President then adjourned the meeting at approximately 1455 hours, and set next month’s meeting for February 11, 2014 at 850 Bryant St-Hall of Justice, in room #150, at 1:45pm.
All Members:
Please be sure that your current beneficiary forms, your current address and contact numbers are up to date. Please utilize our website ‘www.sfwidownsnorphans.org’ for forms, updates, questions and information .Send your dues and information to WOAA, P.O. Box 880034, SF,Ca 94188. We can be contacted at 415 681-3660. Bills are being sent out this month. Please be patient as we have approximately 3000 members. Direct deposit from you financial institution is the most effective way to pay your dues. Ask your representative to apply and provide our P.O Box address above. You can always send your dues to the above address if your bill is delayed. Seventy-two dollars ($72.00) is due every January for retirees, or those members who left the SFPD prior to retirement.