The monthly meeting of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department was called to order at 1:45pm by Vice President/Acting President Sally Foster. The meeting was held at 850 Bryant Street, room #150 at the Hall of Justice. The regular order of our meeting was pre-empted for a financial report by our financial representatives from the Abbot Downing subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank.
Jerome Paolini of Abbott-Downing gave us his report. Since 2005 our payout has been 6% having paid out 4 million dollars. Our fund is up about $600,000 in the past ten years. We are pleased to have earned money during the worst stock market period in our lifetime. Year to date we are up 1.05%. The WOAA portfolio has experienced a plus 7% in the past 3-5 years, and 4.23% since our inception with Wells Fargo.
Roll Call of Officers: Vice President Sally Foster, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees John Centurioni, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Al Luenow were present. President John Keane was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to accept the minutes from the June 2015 meeting. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Receiving Applications for New Members; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Our next scheduled meeting to present our membership at the Police Academy will be on August 6th for the 244th recruit class.
Eight suspension letters were sent out by registered mail for members who were delinquent in dues payments from 2014. Members who have not paid their 2015 bill were given a 30 day extra period in which to settle their late payments. Members who have failed to make the payments will be suspended by our president and sent a registered letter in August 2015. By order of the Acting President Sally Foster after being provided information by Treasurer Dean Taylor, member Richard Martin is hereby suspended for non-payment of dues. There is a list of 42 members who have not paid their 2015 dues. They will be suspended at the next meeting and sent notices by registered mail. Lewis Fong, who was previously suspended has paid his outstanding bill and has been hereby reinstated by the board. By vote and order of acting President Sally Foster, the following members are now reinstated as members in good standing: Lewis Fong, Alexis Goldner, and Bart Johnson.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor presented our regular monthly bills. Included in Dean’s presentation were death benefits paid to the beneficiary(s) of the following members who have passed: Marty Bastiani. Floral arrangements costs for our member’s funeral or memorial services were presented by Vice President Sally Foster. Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to pay the bills. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion which passed without objection. The following friends of Martin Bastiani made donations to Widows and Orphans Aid Association in Marty’s memory: Matthew Granville ($100), Marilyn Panelli ($50), Christine McBrady ($100), Mr.& Mrs. Bruce Anderson ($100), the Olympic Club ($100), John & Geraldine Morotto ($50), Richard & Darla Bastoni ($50), the San Francisco Opera ($100), Carolyn Durto Infante and Gino Del Prete ($100), G. Thomas Vargas ($100), and Robert J. Dower ($50). We received thank you cards from the family of Arthur Orrante and Martin Bastiani for our assistance and floral arrangements.
Report of Visiting Committee: President John Keane and I attended the funeral service for retired Burglary Inspector Michael Patrick Wilcox. The service was attended by retired All-Stars from the Bureau of Inspectors from yesteryear. I could name them, but I don’t believe it is appropriate. Many of the retired Inspectors were well known for their work ethic and performance, their good natured sense of humor, and their willingness to help a young Rookie cop, or any officer who wanted to learn the job the “right way”. Mike Wilcox’s partner of 37 years is Rich Leon. They are partners, friends and brothers. Rich delivered the Eulogy which contained just enough information that would allow a complete stranger to understand Mike’s nature, his sense of humor, his compassion, dedication, and loyalty. It was an emotional speech, of course, and one that hit me hard with the realization of a great friendship, a great partnership that may be the longest in law enforcement history, and now a great loss for all who knew Mike. It is very difficult for me to mention Mike without soon mentioning Rich Leon. I spoke to Rich Leon 3 days after the service. Rich reiterated from his Eulogy that Mike was a special friend and partner. Rich stated that during their career together Mike would take-on two and three arrest resisters as he would step in front of Rich putting him out of harms- way. Rich stated that Mike, knowing that the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce would distribute tourism maps that caused visitors to walk through high crime areas, would spot them walking and offer safe passage to their destination. Rich said that Mike was fearless yet had compassion for his all people. I first heard the names of Mike Wilcox (and his partner Rich Leon) in the mid 1960’s from my father who was stationed at Park Police Station. My father spoke highly of Mike and Rich who were partners at their first assignment (Co.F). I never gave it thought that I would be associated with Mike in any way since I was about 10 years old at that time. I never worked with Mike but I tried to track down a few of his arrest warrants subjects from time to time. I spoke to Mike and Rich many times over the years, and two of my former partners were partners in the Burglary Detail starting in the early 1990’s .I was a frequent visitor to the office. Rich and Mike remained partners until Mike’s retirement in 2003. Michael Wilcox was a ‘worker’ as was Rich Leon. Working cops either know them, or know of them. Every officer has his or her memories during their career. They can recall veteran cops that ‘showed them the ropes’, they had their role models that they learned from and tried to emulate, and they remember specific Officers who were the leaders and helped changed their careers. I like to think of Mike Wilcox as a ‘Legendary’ Burglary Inspector who exhibited the qualities that you would look for in a great cop, and a true life-long friend and partner. The ‘partnership’ of Mike Wilcox and Rich Leon should be looked upon by our Law Enforcement Community as something special, and an example of how our chosen profession can provide a positive life-long career and friendship that may never be witnessed in its totality, ever again.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA received a report of passing for the following members: I apologize to the family and friends of the deceased for not having Department Award information in the obituaries. Our contact, Johnny Monroe is off work with an injury. My calls to the Police Commission for information were not returned at the time of this writing.
Martin Bastiani, age 78: No Information was provided for this obituary by family or friends. Employment information was not available. Anyone who wishes to have me write an obituary for Marty can contact me at 415 681-3660, or ‘markmac825@comcast.net’ Marty reportedly worked for 58 years as a San Francisco Police Officer/Inspector. I was told he entered the Department in 1956. His years of service could be a state or national record for Law Enforcement Service.
Fred J. Curley, age 85: Fred J. Curley was born in Sacramento, California. His previous occupation is listed as a “Radio Announcer”. Fred joined the San Francisco Police Department on August 16, 1954. Fred was transferred from the Police Academy to Taraval Police Station on September 27, 1954. Fred wore star #1619. Fred Curley worked at the following units in his police career: Mission Police Station (April 8, 1956), I.D. Bureau (July 9, 1956), Northern Police Station (March 16, 1963), and finally at Criminal Records on September 11, 1967. Fred transferred to another City Job on October 16, 1969 finishing his career with the Adult Probation Department in San Francisco. We did not receive word of Fred’s passing when it occurred. We just discovered his passing this month. We are trying to contact family members. If anyone knew Fred and his family, please contact me as soon as possible.
Jerry Donovan, age 68 : Jerry Charles Donovan was born in San Francisco on April 7, 1947. Jerry’s listed previous occupation prior to the San Francisco Police Department is “P.G.& E. Groundman”. Jerry joined the San Francisco Police Department at age of 22 on June 16, 1969. After completing his time in the Academy, Jerry was assigned to star #747 and to Taraval Police Station. Jerry had 4 stops in career. After Taraval Police Station, Jerry worked at Northern Police Station (May 16, 1971), Crime Prevention (December 5, 1971), and Tactical/Hondas. Jerry sustained an injury that forced his disability retirement on September 16, 1998. Jerry was a long time resident of Half Moon Bay, but later resided in Meridian, Idaho where he succumbed to cancer after a long battle. Jerry was a served Half Moon Bay as a council member and as its Mayor. Jerry was a board member of the Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District. Jerry was a veteran having served in the United States Army before his 30 plus years in the S.F.P.D. Jerry was active in S.F.P.D. athletics having been a long time all- star softball player, and basketball player. Jerry was predeceased by his first wife, Felicia. He is survived by his wife Demery, and her son Michael Culum and his family; sons Sean, his wife Shannon, and Travis; sister Leone Can Leeuwen; 13 grandchildren; and many loving friends and family members.
Robert D. Hansel, age 75: Robert Donald Hansel born in San Francisco. Bob’s prior occupation to the San Francisco Police Department is listed as “teamster truck driver”. This would serve him well years later in the Property Clerk’s Office (renamed the Property Control Division). Bob entered the S.F.P.D. on June 16, 1967, was assigned to Ingleside Police Station on September 11, 1967 but left the Department on June 5, 1968 to accept outside employment. Bob, had a change of heart and returned to the S.F.P.D. on October 12, 1970. Bob completed his second stint with the Police Academy and was assigned to star #1329. His first star was #1901. Bob had few stops in the S.F.P.D. and they are as follows: Southern Police Station (January 24, 1971), Ingleside Police Station (September 15, 1976, Richmond Police Station (May 31, 1978), and finished with Property Control (August 26, 1981 to July 6, 2001). Bob retired on July 6, 2001 with a service pension after a 32 year career. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife Gudron, and sister in law Caroline Hansel, her children and many grandchildren.
Thomas E. Jones, age 67: Thomas Earl Jones was born in Birmingham, Alabama on February 6, 1948. His listed previous occupation prior the San Francisco Police Department is listed as “Driver”. Tom joined the ranks of the S.F.P.D. on December 24, 1969. Tom completed his time in the Police Academy and was assigned to Potrero Police Station on February 27, 1970. Tom wore star #519. After two years at Potrero, Tom transferred to Southern Police Station on May 4, 1972. Tom worked the Southern for five years and then transferred to Muni on July 6, 1977. Tom finally transferred to the Traffic/Solos his new home for the remainder of career on February 13, 1980. Tom was a Solo until his service retirement on October 19, 1999.
Michael P. Wilcox, age 79: Michael Patrick Wilcox was born in Ireland on January 23, 1936. I don’t believe this is a surprise to anyone. Mike’s listed occupation prior to San Francisco Police Officer is listed as “Waiter”. Mike Wilcox joined the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1964 and was sent from the Academy to Mission Police Station on September 7, 1964. Mike wore star #1140. A little more than a year later on September 19, 1965 Mike was transferred to his second of only three stops in his career, Park Police Station. And this was Park Police Station in its “hey-day”. The Haight Ashbury area was in full cultural-crashing swing with drugs, hippies, free love, and the “Turn on, tune in, and drop out” counter culture era that was engineered by Dr. Timothy Leary in 1966. Mike was partnered with Rich Leon, who would be his partner for an unprecedented and historical 37 years. When sports enthusiasts talk about “records that will never be broken”…. This partnership and friendship of 5 decades of police work, I believe, will stand forever as the Law Enforcement record and standard. Nothing will ever touch it. On July 19, 1970, Mike (and Rich) were promoted and transferred to the Investigation Bureau, and to their final assignment at the Burglary Detail. They were the Park Police District Burglary Inspectors when I was sent to my first assignment in 1979, that being Park Police Station. It is hard for me to believe that a San Francisco Police Officer that has worked from the 60’s to the 2000’s, and has been involved in their district in regard to theft and Burglary, and pays attention to the “real pros” of our Department, would not know the name of Michael Wilcox (and Rich Leon). Mike was a tireless Burglary Inspector throughout his career until retiring with a service pension on February 6, 2003. My request for Department awards and accolades were not returned. Mike was a witty, loyal, patient, sincere, kind and loving husband to Patricia Molloy Wilcox who preceded him in death, brother to Tadgh (deceased), and to his surviving sisters Eileen McGing and Mary O’Sullivan, an Uncle, Cousin, and friend to many. Mike passed away quietly in his home on June 28, 2015. To say he will be missed does not even scratch the surface. The sly Irish grin of Michael Patrick Wilcox will always remain in my memory.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Unfinished Business: Our Actuarial Study is in progress. We will have the age limit, and our dues under review for a report and recommendation. We attempt to balance our benefits paid out each year (approximately 30 per year), our collection of dues, our portfolio end of year numbers, and our yearly costs of doing business.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Association: No report this month.
Adjournment: Acting President Sally Foster led the WOAA Board with a moment of silence for our members who have passed, and then adjourned our meeting at 3:05pm. Our next meeting will be held at 850 Bryant Street, room #150 at the Hall of Justice, at 1:45 pm on August 11, 2015.
To All Members: Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org”. To access a new beneficiary form, click on the ‘resources’ box on the upper right side of the tool bar (use a desktop or laptop, do not use a pad). Print out the form, complete it, have it signed by a notary or a WOAA board member and sent it to WOAA, P.O. Box 880034, S.F., Ca 94188. My continued thanks and appreciation go out to Paul Chignell of the POA who has been instrumental in contacting “hard to contact” WOAA members. If members update their addresses and contact numbers we would not have to pester Paul with requests. Our thanks also to Jon Voong and Lt. (acting Captain) Nick Rainsford. John Monroe who assists our cause with Department Award information for our obituaries, is off work for awhile.