The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting via Zoom technology on Tuesday May 10, 2022 at 1200 hours.
Roll Call: President Rob Forneris, Vice President Lou Barberini, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Maureen Leonard were present. Trustee Ryan Walsh, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept the minutes from our last meeting on April 12, 2022. Secretary Mark McDonough seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new applications for membership. The Suspension Letters were mailed to all retired suspended members. We continue to track down new addresses for the active suspended members who have left the San Francisco Police Department and changed their living address. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to reinstate the following suspended members who have paid their dues and fines: Jeff Barry, Tony Damato, James Drilon, Brandon Erwin, Patricia Heath, and Christopher Smith. Trustee Maureen Leonard seconded the motion. The motion passed and all aforementioned suspended members are now reinstated and are members in good standing.
Communication and Bills: Treasurer Taylor announced that only regular monthly bills need to be paid this month. Trustee Maureen Leonard made a motion to pay the bills. President Rob Forneris seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the passing of the following member(s):
Mario T. Busalacchi, age 93: Mario T. Busalacchi was born on Sunday September 28, 1928, in San Diego, California, to Mariano and Josephine Busalacchi. Mariano and Josephine and their four children moved to the Potrero Hill neighborhood in San Francisco, California. Life was difficult to say the least, and at a very young age, Mario and his siblings went to work to support the family. This is where the roots of Mario’s strong work ethic began. Mario worked tirelessly day and night to help support the family. In 1955 Mario met Josephine Damato as he passed in front of her stoop on his way to work. Josephine would describe Mario as “skinny Sailor” who charmed her and her entire family. Mario and Josephine married in 1956 and enjoyed 66 years of marriage and had two daughters. After serving in the United States Coast Guard, Mario began his work in Law Enforcement. Mario was employed as a Truck Driver prior to entering into a career in Law Enforcement. Two years prior to meeting Josephine, Mario entered the San Francisco Police Department on Monday July 20, 1953. Mario spent five weeks in the Police Academy and worked the following assignments during his 30 plus year career: Potrero Police Station (August 31, 1953), Ingleside Police Station (May 4, 1972), Central Police Station (January 21, 1973), and worked the remainder of his career in Vice Crimes (September 13, 1977. Mario retired on January 20, 1984 with a Disability Pension. Awards: Mario and his partner Steve Maxoutopoulis were awarded with a Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on April 27, 1963. Mario and Maxoutopoulis arrested an armed suspect. The suspect armed himself with a shotgun due to a neighborhood altercation. The suspect attempted to escape when Officers Busalacchi and Maxoutopoulis arrived. The Officers pursued the suspect and it was necessary to use force to arrest and disarm him. Officer Mario Busalacchi and his partner Donald Carlson were awarded with a Second Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on May 21, 1968. The Officers pursued a speeding truck that had been commandeered by an armed hold-up suspect (now referred to as a car-jacking). Busalacchi and Carlson forced the vehicle to a stop and exited their vehicle. The suspect drew his firearm and pointed it at the Officers who then took quick action to disarm and arrest the suspect. Mario Busalacchi and his partner Artemus Q. Adams were awarded with a First Grade Medal of Valor (now referred to as a Gold Medal) for services rendered on August 1, 1969. Busalacchi and Adams pursued two-armed hold-up men who had just robbed the G & E Liquor Store and fled with $30,000 after firing a shot at the victim. A shootout ensued during the vehicle pursuit. Both Officers fired all their rounds at the suspects. It was necessary for Busalacchi to fire both service weapons while Adams was driving in pursuit. The suspect vehicle slowly came to a halt with one of the suspects exiting their vehicle and leveling a double-barreled shotgun at the Officers and then open fired. Officer Busalacchi was severely injured as the suspects fled for cover. The suspects were cornered and apprehended. The relentless pursuit of the Officers was instrumental in the capture of these dangerous armed criminals. Officers Mario Busalacchi and Mike Sugrue were awarded a Silver Medal of Valor (2nd Grade Medal years prior), for services rendered on December 18, 1970. Busalacchi and Sugrue apprehended two armed suspects who kidnapped and robbed four victims, two who were viciously beaten. One suspect attempted to pull his weapon at the Officers, but decided otherwise when the Officers, weapons in hand, ordered the suspect to “drop it”. The suspect complied and were taken into custody. Mario has been the Patriarch of 14 family members, who went on to follow in his footsteps by joining the San Francisco Police Department. Mario had the unique ability to be stern but fair, and treated everyone with respect. After retirement it was not unusual for someone who had gotten into trouble years earlier, to thank Mario for lessons learned. Mario adored his family and cherished the Sunday Night dinners and the annual vacations to Lake Tahoe. Mario also gave back to his community by volunteering his time with the SF Firefighters Toy Program. In addition to being a loving and devoted husband to Josephine, Mario was beloved by his two daughter Joanne (Arthur) Stellini, and Nina (Mario) Puccinelli. Mario was an adored and loving “Nanu” to Nina (Myles McMaster), Gianna Puccinelli (Chase Burrell), John (Alicia) Stellini, and Francesca Puccinelli. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Mario was predeceased by his parents Mariano and Josephine Busalacchi, his siblings Lucy (Rex) LaTorre, Frank (Dorothy) Puccinelli, and Philip (Marie) Busalacchi. He is also recently predeceased by his brothers-in-law Tony (Sharon) Damato, Daniel (Ann) Damato, along with Nick (Marie Damato), Lawrence (Josephine) Damato, and Joe Damato. The Busalacchi give a special thank you to Ivy and Miriam for their loving care.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: The WOAA 2020 Past President Jim O’Meara will be honored at a Dinner on May 21, 2022. Last year’s Past President Al Luenow will be honored at a later date.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Rob Forneris led the WOAA in a ‘moment of silence’ for the recent passing of Mario T. Busalacchi, and for all our past members.
To All Members: Any member who wishes to change a beneficiary can access a new form on our website ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. Click on the Resource section on the face page and follow the link. Print out the form and complete it with all the required information including contact numbers and email addresses. Each month we bestow our gratitude by thanking the following people who assist us to provide the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the long-standing Defense Administrator of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, Paul Chignell; Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper email which connects with thousands of retired and active Law Enforcement Officers, Rene LaPrevotte; Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the San Francisco Police Officers Association Journal Newpaper, Ray Shine; Risa Tom of the Police Commissioner’s Office, David Ng of Personnel, and to the SFPOA for assisting us in our efforts including but not limited to Leah Daye.