The Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held its monthly Board Meeting on Tuesday January 12, 2016. The meeting was held in San Francisco at 850 Bryant Street, room #150, at 1:45pm.
Roll Call: 2016 President Sally Foster, Vice President John Centurioni, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Ray Kane, Leroy Lindo, James O’Meara, Al Luenow, and John Keane, and Past President Bob Mattox were president. Secretary Mark McDonough was excused.
Sally Foster is our new president for 2016, and the first female president in the 138 year history of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department. Congratulations to Sally on behalf of our entire Board.
New President Sally Foster would like to thank outgoing 2015 President and now 2016 Trustee John Keane for his outstanding dedication and leadership during a most difficult year for the WOAA. We incurred a high number of lost members who passed, and several complicated issues that extended our board meeting including but not limited to our two special projects of rewriting our Constitution and By-Laws, and an Actuarial Study to determine how to keep our organization solvent and afloat with rising costs, market dips, and increase in member loss. I would also like to thank John for doing a great job at the Top. My appreciation also goes out to all the Board members who gave their honesty and their all for these projects in the best interest of this organization. We do not always agree, but our respect for each other’s opinion and dedication to the WOAA produces a very professional result. There is no lack of leadership with this Board. I have never been more proud nor more impressed of my association with the WOAA Board.
Approval of the Minutes: Vice President John Centurioni made a motion to approve the minutes from last month’s meeting. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions, and Reinstatements: Trustee John Keane made a motion to reinstate suspended members Angela Martin and Zachary McCauliffe who paid their past dues and fees and reapplied for membership. Trustee Al Luenow seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. Angela Martin and Zachary McCauliffe were reinstated as members in good standing.
Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to suspend member Mary Espinoza who has not paid her dues. Trustee John Centurioni seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. A Registered letter of suspension will be sent to Mary Espinoza. I will be responding to the Police Academy on February 23rd to sign up the new class of recruits for membership in the WOAA.
Communications and Bills: Trustee John Keane made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. The WOAA received a $93.00 donation from Combined Charities.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received a report of the passing of the following WOAA members:
Franco Flemming age 55: Franco Flemming joined the San Francisco Police Department on January 30, 1995. Franco wore star #2165. Franco worked at the following units in his career that lasted just short of twenty years: Park Police Station (August 10, 1995), Muni (January 25, 1997), Park Police Station (September 15, 2001), Richmond Police Station (April 27, 2002), Juvenile (October 25, 2003), Special Investigations (May 29, 2004), Park Police Station (October 5, 2007), Richmond Police Station (November 30, 2007), Tactical (December 1, 2007), Homeland Security (August 9, 2008), Traffic (December 7, 2010), CIS Park (February 2, 2013 to April 5, 2013) and MTA Muni (May 25, 2013 to March 23, 2015). Franco passed away on January 16, 2016 from medical complications. Franco was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on October 17, 2000, for his participation in the pursuit and arrest of wanted Homicide suspects who fled in their vehicle and fired shots at officers Jesse Pena and Joseph Juarez. The initial traffic stop incurred at Mission and 8th streets. The suspects fled while firing shots at the officers. Officers Steve Maionchi, Carolyn Gassen, Jennifer Streegan, Anthony Gomes, and James Petty assisted in the pursuit and arrest. Lt. Dan McDonagh and Sgt. Mike Hughes also participated.
Matteo Genna age 90: Matteo Genna was born on November 30, 1925 in San Francisco, California to Joseph and Margherita Genna. He was married to Estella Genna for 55 years who preceded him in death. Matteo served his country in the United States Navy as a gunner during WWII. His previous employment prior to the San Francisco Police Department is listed as ‘Milkman’. Matteo joined the S.F.P.D. on August 16, 1954. Matteo was 28 years old and was given star #1466. Matteo worked at the following units during his career: Richmond Police Station (September 27, 1954), Co.K APB (February 24, 1958), Traffic Admin (April 28, 1969), Personnel (July 10, 1975), Potrero Police Station (January 22, 1976), Investigations Bureau (August 1, 1976), SSB Warrants (January 22, 1978). Matteo was promoted to Q-50 Sergeant on February 20, 1969 while he was in Traffic. Matteo was later promoted to Q60 Lieutenant on July 9, 1975 and transferred to Personnel. Matteo retired with a service pension on August 23, 1984 after serving the city of San Francisco for more than 30 years. Matteo loved being around family and friends and tending to his garden. He enjoyed good food, travel, and social events. Matteo is survived by his daughter Linda D. Gustafson; daughter and son-in-law Margaret A. & James V. Gondron; grandson and great grandchildren.
Ray White age 92: Ray White was born on March 29, 1923 in Reno, Nevada. Ray grew up in San Francisco and served his country honorably in WWII as a member of the United States Army. Ray enlisted at the age of 17 and was sent to North Africa and Sicily earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. In 1945 Ray married the ‘Light of his Life’ Clare, and together they raised seven children. His previous occupation prior to the San Francisco Police Department is listed as ‘Postal Guard’. Ray joined the S.F.P.D. on January 6, 1947, and wore star#692. Ray worked his way up the ranks to Captain and his work assignment sheet looks a spilled box of Alphabets. Ray worked the following assignments: Potrero Police Station (January 20, 1947, August 18, 1977, and December 25, 1978 his final assignment), Northern Police Station (May 5 1947, February 16, 1956, April 28 1976), Park Police Station (September 9, 1954, September 15, 1960), Supervising Captain’s Office (September 8, 1969), City Prison (November 3, 1969), Investigations (March 1, 1970, March 15,1974, June 14, 1978 ), Richmond Police Station (June 17, 1973), Central Police Station (September 5, 1976), Pat. H.Q. (September 8, 1977), SSB Records (December 21, 1977), Field Operations (April 4, 1978). Ray’s final assignment was Potrero Police Station from December 25, 1978 until his retirement on February 26, 1980. Ray was promoted to Sergeant on July 2, 1954, to Lieutenant on June 1, 1967, and to Captain on December 21, 1977. During his career Ray was awarded a First Grade Meritorious Award of Bravery for services rendered on May 12, 1949. Sgt. Phil Kiely, Officers William Bradley, Ray White, Carl Meilicke, John Caulfield, and Marvin Markey combined to arrest a suspect who attempted to kill his mother, and the officers with a ‘butcher knife’. It was necessary for the Officers to shoot the suspect. For services rendered on July 13, 1951, Ray was awarded a Second Grade Award for Bravery. Ray and his partner Richard Treacy arrested an armed narcotics suspect who attempted to fire at the officers to aid his escape. Ray was awarded a Second Grade Meritorious Award of Bravery along with Hike Kazarian and William Roberts for services rendered on August 23, 1957. Ray and his partners arrested an armed “Holdup Man” after he robbed a Gas Station. Ray was instrumental in the founding of the Police Athletic League that served underprivileged children throughout the city. Ray and his family spent many summers along the Eel River under the Redwoods of Richardson Grove. Ray and Clare were able to travel through Europe together spend time boating in the Delta. Ray is preceded in death by his loving wife Clare, and his sister Jean. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Patricia- Sister Pauline Mary of Jesus OCM, Suzanne (Richard), Dennis (Sana), Steve (Colleen), Mary, Margaret (Walter), and John (Debra).
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
New Business: No report this month
Good of the Order: No report this month
Adjournment: New President Sally Foster led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for all of our fallen members. President Foster then set our next meeting for Tuesday February 9, 2016. The meeting will be held at 850 Bryant Street in room #150 in San Francisco, California at 1:45pm.
To All Members: Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’ to effect a change of beneficiary. Click on the upper right side of the tool bar on ‘resources’ and locate the beneficiary form. Please print the form, complete it and have it signed by a Board Member or a Notary. Please use the form for address and contact number changes that do not require a signature. We continue to give our gratitude to retired Captain Paul Chignell of the POA, David Ng and Captain Nick Rainsford of Personnel, and Risa Tom and Sergeant Rachael Kilshaw of the Police Commission Office who combine to assist us monthly in locating members, and assisting us with supportive information for our obituary section. Ray Shine cleans up my copy on a regular basis so that you can make sense of what I write.