The Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly Board Meeting on Tuesday November 10, 2015. The meeting was held at 850 Bryant Street, Room #150 in San Francisco, at 1:45pm.
Roll Call: President John Keane, Vice-President Sally Foster, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees John Centurioni, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, James O’Meara, and Al Luenow were present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to approve the minutes from our last meeting on October 13, 2015. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Receiving Applications for New Members; Suspensions and Reinstatements: WOAA Trustee responded to the Police Academy and met with the new academy class (Recruit Class #246) on Tuesday November 17, 2015 to present our Organization for new members. Leroy signed up the ENTIRE class of 35 members who are scheduled to graduate this Friday. Senior Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to reinstate suspended member Don West who sent his back dues and fees. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion which passed without objection. Don West was reinstated as a member in good standing with the WOAA.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor presented the regular monthly bills and the following death benefits for the beneficiary(s) of our fallen members: Alan Johnson, George Matelli, and Leo McAllister. Treasurer Taylor additionally presented our yearly fees, for services rendered, by Burr, Pilger, and Mayer (Audit) and by Tiret and Company (Taxes) which will be documented in our End of the Year Annual Report which will be available in February on our website (sfwidowsandorphans.org). As I do annually, I offer to mail our Annual Report to any member who does not use a computer, or wishes to have a copy sent through the mail. To order a copy, Please refer to our mailing address and phone number in the To All Members section below. Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to pay all bills presented. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Report of Trustees: The following WOAA members were reported as recently deceased.
Cliff Fogarty, age 54: Cliff Fogarty was born in San Francisco, California. Cliff entered the San Francisco Police Department on April 26, 1982. Cliff wore star #255. Cliff worked at the following units during his 32 year career: Northern Police Station (August 22, 1982), Potrero Police Station (December 5, 1982), Company K (August 8, 1983), Potrero Police Station (November 16, 1983), Communications (June 29, 1984), Potrero Police Station (September 10, 1984), Richmond Police Station (September 14, 2002), and Tactical Company (September 18, 2010). Cliff retired with a service pension on October 25, 2014. Cliff was awarded the following Commendations: For services rendered on May 25, 1987 Cliff Fogarty and Officer (now Lieutenant) Peter Thoshinsky were awarded a Police Commission Commendation. The Officers observed flames shooting from an apartment on the 15th floor of the Geneva Towers. Fogarty and Thoshinsky responded and met with a building employees. Fogarty and Thoshinsky were able to break into the emergencey fire cabinet and used the available resources to fight the flames until the Fires Department arrived. Cliff received another Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on March 16, 1989 on a call of Shots Fired at Middle Point and West Point roads. Cliff and Officer Wallace Gin, fully aware of the potential danger to themselves, located and pursued the fleeing suspect vehicle. Cliff and Wally arrested two gang members and recovered two high volume assault type weapons. For services rendered on August 14, 1991, Cliff and Officer Douglas Clennell responded to the area of 30 Espanola on a call of Shots Fired. Officers Fogarty and Clennell spotted the reported suspect vehicle late model green Mercury Cougar. The officers had knowledge that the Mercury Cougar was reported to have been involved in recent shootings and robberies in the area. The Officers attempted to stop the vehicle which promptly fled at a high rate of speed. A chase ensued and the suspect vehicle lost control at 3rd and Newhall streets crashing into a parked auto. The Officers exited their vehicle to approach the suspects and vehicle when the driver of the Mercury Cougar placed the vehicle in reverse and drove backwards trying to run over Officer Cliff Fogarty. Cliff jumped out of harm’s way and back into his police vehicle. The suspect driver then drove forward as the Officers again approached to effect the arrest. Officer Fogarty with his service revolver, and Clennell with a shotgun heard the suspect chamber a round into a shotgun. Officers Fogarty and Clennell took positions of cover. Fogarty rushed the passenger in the suspect vehicle who pointed a shotgun at Cliff’s head. Cliff grabbed the shotgun, and without firing a shot, disarmed the suspect. During this time, the driver reached for a second shotgun in an attempt to shoot Officer Clennell who was able to stop the suspect from gaining control of the weapon. A third suspect was removed from the vehicle without incident. The shotguns were sawed off, there were several rounds of ammunition, and the suspects had ski masks in the vehicle. For services rendered, Officers Fogarty and Clennell received a Silver Medal of Valor. Cliff was known as the consummate family man and had a close relationship with his children. Cliff’s education started at St. Cecilia Grammar School and continued to Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco. Cliff proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, and followed in his father’s Eugene footsteps by joining the San Francisco Police Department and wearing S.F.P.D. star #255 which was worn by Fogarty’s (father, great grandfather, and great Uncle) for over 100 years. Cliff met and later married Gina Sahagun in a winter ceremony in Yosemite National Park in 1983. Cliff passed away from long-term pulmonary health complications on October 26, 2015 surrounded by his beloved wife Gina and family. Cliff is survived by his wife Gina, his children Angela, Amanda, Adam, and Alexander (the cherished “A-Team”), his aunt Beverly Nelson and Sr. Joseph Eugen O.P., and many nieces and nephews. Cliff was affectionately called ‘Poppie and Daddi-o” by his children.
Alan Johnson, age 79: Alan Johnson was born in San Francisco, California on March 12, 1930. Alan’s listed occupation prior to the San Francisco Police Department is listed as “P.G.&E. Laborer”. Alan Johnson entered the S.F.P.D. on June 16, 1957, wore star #1233, and worked at the following units during his career: Northern Police Station (September 23, 1957), Richmond Police Station (May 19, 1958), Southern Police Station (February 23, 1959), Co,K/AIB (February 2, 1966), Southern Police Station (February 3, 1966), I.D. Bureau (May 2, 1966), Ingleside Police Station (February 2, 1975),Pat Bur. (March 31, 1976), Ingleside Police Station, B.C.I. (July 26, 1976). Alan was promoted to Sergeant on June 4, 1980, and retired with a service pension on July 6, 1982 with 25 years of service. Alan was a 29 year resident of Discovery Bay. Prior to entering the S.F.P.D., Alan served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years. Alan was also an avid runner, and bowler. Alan was often seen running around Discovery Bay well into his 70’s. Alan was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Diane. Alan is survived by his children Joseph Johnson (Laura) of San Bernadino, Marita Spes (Frank) of Daly City, Cheryl McCoy (Dave) of Antioch, and several grandchildren.
Report of Special Committee: Presently we have two Special Committee projects that are active. Our Actuarial Study is in progress and we have delayed the completion of our Constitutional By-Laws “rewrite” pending the outcome of the study. Ray Kane has spear-headed the effort of our Actuarial Study and reported that we should receive a completed report with recommendations, next month. Upon receiving the Actuarial Study results, we will concentrate on presenting our recommended changes on our rewrite which is subject to approval by members. The Actuarial Study, as I have consistently documented in previous articles, will give us recommendations on age requirements for membership, yearly dues, and projections on mortality rates in relation to our membership age categories. We have attempted to weather the storm with rising costs of business, rising number of fallen members, and an unstable investment market. We are dedicated to ensuring the best possible course of action to keep our organization healthy and stable.
Unfinished Business: Vice President Sally Foster and Trustee Ray Kane reported that our Actuarial Study produced a report that we have 35 member files that do not have a listed beneficiary. The WOAA has contacted these members and gave notification. ***
New Business: The following nominations were presented for WOAA Board positions in 2016:
Secretary Mark McDonough nominated Vice President Sally Foster for the position of
WOAA President. Trustee John Centurioni seconded the motion.
Secretary Mark McDonough nominated Senior Trustee John Centurioni for the position of
WOAA Vice President. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion.
Secretary Mark McDonough nominated Treasurer Dean Taylor to continue as WOAA
Treasurer. Past WOAA President Robert Maddux seconded the motion.
Trustee Al Luenow nominated Trustee Leroy Lindo for the position of Senior Trustee.
Senior Trustee John Centurioni seconded the motion.
Secretary Mark McDonough nominated Ray Kane to continue as Trustee. Trustee Jim
O’Meara seconded the motion.
Trustee Al Luenow nominated Jim O’Meara to continue in the position of WOAA Trustee.
Senior Trustee John Centurioni seconded the motion.
Secretary Mark McDonough nominated outgoing President (in 2016 ) John Keane to the
open Trustee chair. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion.
2016 Nominations were then closed.
Adjournment: President John Keane led our board in a moment of silence for our passed members. President Keane then scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday December 4, 2015 at 3:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street, Room #150 in San Francisco, prior to our meeting downtown with our Banking representatives.
To All Members: Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. To effect a change of beneficiary, click on the ‘resources box’ which is located on the upper right side of the tool bar of our home page. Please use a desktop and not a laptop. Use the form for beneficiary changes and for address or contact changes. A beneficiary change requires a signature by a WOAA Board Member or from a Notary. Please send the form to WOAA, P.O. Box 880034, San Francisco, California 94188. We can be contacted by telephone at 415 681-3660. Our continued thanks go out to Retired Captain Paul Chignell of the POA who continues to assist us when we experience difficulty in contacting retired members. We also give thanks to the Personnel Office of the S.F.P.D and Lieutenant Nick Rainsford and David Ng who assist us with personnel information for our obituary section. Our final thank you goes to Sergeant Rachael Kilshaw and Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office who provide award information for our obituary section.