Wilma Quay (Peggy) Vines




Wilma Quay (Peggy) Vines, 75, of Fernandina Beach, passed away at her home on March 12, 2007, after an extended battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease."

Born on Jan. 6, 1932, in Oxford, Miss., the former Peggy Walker graduated from University High School and attended the University of Mississippi, where she studied Psychology and Business. Her marriage to a career military officer led to moves across the country, including Ft. Bragg, N.C.; Ft. Rucker, Ala; Anchorage, Alaska; Memphis, Tenn.; Ft. Monroe, Va.; Ft. Jackson, S.C.; Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.; Newport, R.I.; and Washington, D.C. After settling in the Washington, D.C., area, she worked as a Personnel Management Specialist for the Department of the Army and retired as a GS-12.

Upon retirement, Mrs. Vines and her husband relocated to Amelia Island 18 years ago, where she enjoyed her leisure time gardening, traveling, reading, golf outings and visiting with family and friends.

Peggy is survived by her husband of 52 years, Col. (Ret.) Ronald C. "Pete" Vines; three children and their spouses, Rebecca (Charles) Jenkins of Greer, S.C., Ronald C. (Jacklyn) Vines Jr. of Corona del Mar, Calif., and Jeffrey A. (Theresa) Vines of Woodbridge, Va.; five granddaughters, Dawn Jenkins, Lauren Jenkins, Charlotte Jenkins, Morgan Vines and Jessica Vines; siblings Dean Walker, Ken Walker and Genendle Parker, all of Oxford, Miss., and Jimmy Walker of Montgomery, Texas; a niece, Pamela Malone of Richardson, Texas, and two step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren of Newport Beach, Calif.

Mrs. Vines was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend who touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a truly wonderful lady of the oldest traditions and about whom an unkind word was never spoken. May she now rest in peace.

The family will receive friends between 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the ALS Association, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619-0907.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Decter, Andrew Scott

DECTER Andrew Scott Decter Owned insurance group and brokerage company, 47 Active in fund-raising and research to fight ALS Andrew Scott Decter, 47, died March 7, 2007, after a 5- year battle with ALS, Lou Gehrigs Disease. Arrangements were by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston. A longtime resident of West Orange and Livingston, Andrew was a 1980 graduate of Livingston High School and George Washington University in 1984. Andrew and his late father, Philip, owned the Decter Insurance Group and Private Brokerage of Livingston. After being diagnosed in 2001, Andy became a tireless searcher for the latest, cutting edge treatments for this disease, taking him to doctors from Harvard, the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and Beijing, China, where he received stem cell treatment. His involvement with the ALS Association of Greater N.Y. enabled him to turn a fatal diagnosis into an activist role. Andy and his parents created a fundraising golf tournament at the Green Brook Country Club to raise money for the ALS Association of Greater N.Y. From there, they, along with family friends, helped to establish the South Florida Research Foundation, which has as of March 5, 2007, held their fifth golf tournament fundraiser, raising in excess of $600,000 for Project ALS, whose sole purpose involves funding research for a cure for this disease. Andys credo was always to take lifes challenges, whatever they may be and meet them head on with courage and conviction. He was a wonderful and loving father, son, brother and friend. Andy is survived by his children, Jessica, Alex and Amanda; his mother, Alice Decter; his sister, Lori Yaspan; his uncle, Stephen Decter; his nephew, Corey Yaspan, and his brother-in-law, Richard Yaspan. He was the son of the late Philip Decter. Contributions may be made in Andys memory to the ALS Association, 116 John St., Suite 1304, New York, N.Y. 10038.
Published in the Star-Ledger on 3/11/2007.

To a fine lady, a small town and a big legacy

By Ron Rozelle
Correspondent

Published March 18, 2007

Here goes a totally inadequate attempt to say goodbye to my friend Janice Eubank, who was a textbook example of a master teacher, a constant lover of life and a courageous fighter.

She was a proud daughter of Tulia, who left that tiny burg a long time ago and went home for good last week.

I never heard her say “I’m from a little town near Amarillo,” or “I’m from the Panhandle.” It was always “I’m from Tulia,” boomed out in a confident, determined voice.

One summer, I tagged along on one of the many trips on which she took her students to Washington, D.C. Janice believed that every American should visit our capital city and, since I hadn’t, she shamed me into going. One hot day, our tour bus broke down in a seedy neighborhood. While we waited beside the street for another bus to come and collect us, one of the kids took a look around and said she sure wouldn’t want to live there. Another student said it wasn’t any worse than where he was from.

Whereupon Janice, her nose already in the city map and planning our next stop, cast one of her pearls. “Don’t ever be ashamed of where you came from,” she said, “just don’t let it keep you from where you’re going.” Then she slapped the map shut — everything she did was so full of energy that I sometimes got exhausted just watching her — and looked up the street for that new bus.

She was always looking for something. A new way to teach a lesson, a new place to eat, a new cake recipe that she could whip up and bring to the teacher’s workroom, a new town in the Hill Country to explore.

This was a lady who truly made an effort to get the most out of each and every day. And there’s just not a lot of folks that I can say that about. She could thoroughly enjoy an Italian opera in Houston and, later that night, have a great time two-stepping to country music.

She decided she wanted to be a teacher when she was still a little girl, out there in Tulia. And she never wavered from the plan. She started teaching in the early 1960s and she kept at it well past when she could retire with full benefits. In fact, when she had stayed longer than her health had, we thought we’d have to change the lock on her classroom door to make her stay home and rest.

Because she didn’t want to rest. She wanted to teach. She was my colleague for more than 20 years, and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone who honestly loved the profession as much as she did. She was almost always the first teacher to arrive in the morning, and often the last to leave in the afternoon. She served on countless committees, was the chair of the social studies department and was elected the district’s Teacher of the Year. But honors and committees weren’t nearly as important to her as when she stood up in front of her class and did what she knew that she had been built to do.

Her students were fortunate to have crossed her path. And so were her friends. I counted myself one of those, and I’ll always be grateful for it.

In all the years I knew her, the only thing close to a disagreement that we ever had was over homemade chili. I put beans in mine, and Janice maintained that real Texans just don’t do that. So she was quick to tell me, and quick, literally, as she told me. Sometimes she’d get to talking so fast that her listeners would lean forward, as if being pulled along in her wake.

She talked like she lived, at full throttle.

In fact, I never saw anything slow her down until she got Lou Gehrig’s disease. When she had to start using a wheelchair, we knew that it was bad. Then, when that fine, quick mind started going, we knew that it was only a matter of time.

The time finally came last week.

She was a proud daughter of Tulia. And Tulia, where she was buried, can be mighty proud of her.

© 2007 Ron Rozelle

Award-winning author Ron Rozelle has written six books. He teaches creative writing at Brazoswood High School. He can be reached at ronrozelle(at)sbcglobal.net.

Ronald Robert Trump 1945 ~ 2007 CENTERVILLE - Ronald Robert Trump passed away in his home on March 13, 2007 of causes related to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was born June 28, 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Robert Austin and Estella Ford Trump. Ronald married Nancy Louise Price in the Salt Lake Temple on June 5, 1967. Their family has been their most prized possessions, having eight children all who have been sealed to eternal companions. Kim (David) Thompson, Kerri (Jon) Erickson, Kristin (Michael) Childs, Stephen (Janice) Trump, Scott (Susan) Trump, Shane (Elizabeth) Trump, Bradley (Lacey) Trump, Bryan (Erin) Trump. His 26 grandchildren, all of whom he adored, loved, cherished, and played with constantly will remember: holiday excitement, 4-wheelers, camping, sleepovers, D.Q. runs, late nights with friends, barbeques, swimming pool, and wild rides. The times he treasured most were going places with his wife, spending time with his children, and sharing happy times with grandkids, neighbor kids, and friends in his backyard. He taught his children to work hard, be responsible, to love each other, to be respectful of others, and to go beyond themselves with helpful hands and hearts to those in need. He served an LDS mission to Northern England. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he served faithfully wherever called. He particularly enjoyed the youth and the many boating and camping trips with the young men and young women. For 15 years he coached baseball in the Centerville Baseball Leagues. His association with his sons and other young boys in those years brought joy and satisfaction to many families. He served two terms on the Centerville Planning Commission and served for over 18 years on the Centerville Irrigation Company Board of Directors. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah. He owned his own small development and residential construction business in Centerville, where he enjoyed his associations with many people. Funeral services will be held in the Centerville Utah South Stake Center at 270 North and 300 East on Monday, March 19 at 12 noon. Viewing held 10-11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Viewing in the Centerville Third LDS Ward meeting house at 900 South and 400 East will be from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, 2007. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by four brothers and one sister (and spouses); Roland (Susan), Douglas (Grace), Roger (Nan), and Bryce (Kelley), and Phyllis (Darol Wintle), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Robert A. Trump on June 19, 1978 and his mother Estella Ford Trump on December 25, 2006. Contributions may be made to any Wells Fargo branch in Ron's name for ALS Research. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from 3/15/2007 - 3/18/2007.
Guest Book • Flowers • Charities

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Joseph A. Miller

Joseph A. Miller, 57, of Kenna passed away March 13, 2007. Long and Fisher Funeral Home, Sissonville is in charge of arrangements.

Email | Print | GuestBook

Back to top

Joseph A. Miller

Joseph A. Miller, 57, of Kenna went home to be with the Lord March 13, 2007, at the Huntington VA Hospital after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Joe was a truck driver, an avid hunter, fisherman, and was a Marine, having served in the Vietnam War. Joe received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a Good Conduct Medal, and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

Joe was preceded in death by his uncle, Billy K.

He is survived by: his wife, Carol Jividen Miller at home; stepchildren, Angie Noble of Kenton, Ohio, Kelly Spurgeon and her husband, Duane, of Roanoke, Va., and Derrick Mowery and his wife, Alicia, of Alexandria, Va.; parents, Harold and Gloria Miller of Kenna; sister, Linda Lion of Charleston; grandchildren, Sara and Tyler Noble of Kenton, Ohio, Michael, Kayla, Hannah, Tiffany, Jacob and Brandi Spurgeon of Roanoke, Va., and Brandon and Taylor Mowery of Alexandria, Va.; loving canine companion, Fats; and a host of friends.

The funeral service will be 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Long & Fisher Funeral Home, Sissonville, with Aaron Jones officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the West Virginia National Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. Saturday until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the ALS Association, Development Department, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.

Condolences can be made by visiting longfisherfuneralhome.com.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////


John R. Rand
Mining and Engineering Geologist, 82, Of Elmwood Road, Pownal, MEdied of Lou Gehrig's Disease on March 15, 2007 at the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of William Baker McNear Rand and Lucy Kimball Robbins Rand. Upon graduation from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as radio operator gunner in the First Photo Reconnaisance Squadron in North Africa and Okinawa, reaching the grade of S/Sgt. After the war, he earned a degree in Geological Sciences at Harvard in 1949 and followed with a year at graduate courses in mining geology. His work in geology spanned more than 57 years, including early positions as Chief Geologist for a copper mining company in northern Michigan, and as the State Geologist of Maine. Going into consulting in 1959, as a sole proprietor, his practice dealt with many varied engineering geology and mining projects. He was Principal Geologist for five pump-storage hydroelectric projects and more than a dozen nuclear power projects including Maine Yankee, the Seabrook Station and Central Maine Power's project at Sears Island in Penobscot Bay. With geologist Carol A. White of Chebeague Island, he performed numerous groundwater studies for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, both for remediation of contaminated groundwater and in searches for new water supplies. In mining, he did coal lands management in Kentucy, and exploration for metals and industrial minerals throughout the United States. In 1960, Ed Lowe, the inventor of Kitty Litter and founder of the cat litter industry, retained him to find absorbent clay deposits for his new company (now part of the Nestle Company), and to plan and design all of its mine developments, and he continued in that position for more than 4 decades. He married Sally Ann Wallace of Lunenburg, Massachusetts on June 23, 1951, and they moved immediately to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where their two sons were born, Robert Wallace Rand of Freeport, Maine and William Baker Rand of Pownal, Maine and Torre Vieja, Spain, all of whom survive him. Also surviving are his granddaughter Katherine Alden Rand and his sisters Emily Rand Herman of Georgetown, Maine and Lucy Everts of Wayland, Massachusetts and his brother Dr. Peter W. Rand of Cape Elizabeth, Maine and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother William M. Rand, Jr. of Raymond, Maine. The family is most grateful for the many kindnesses and love given by the staffs at Togues and Midcoast Hospitals and the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough. There will be only a Private Service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the puppy dogs at Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick, Maine 04011. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care of Maine LLC, 471 Deering Avenue, PORTLAND, ME.
Published in the Boston Globe on 3/18/2007.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Phyllis McCombs
MCCOMBS, PHYLLIS, age 59, of Hueytown, AL, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2007. She was a member of River Road Baptist Church and was a part time employee of Peoples Chapel Funeral Home. She passed away after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Mac" McCombs. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Veasey (Mark) of Hueytown; two sisters, Janet Bates (Larry) of Gardendale and Jo Wood of Columbiana; one brother, Gary Pickett (Alberta) of Hueytown; two grandsons, Ryan and David Veasey of Hueytown; and a host of other family and friends. The family would like to thank New Beacon Hospice and their staff, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the ALS Ironhorse Foundation. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at People Chapel Funeral Home with burial in Forest Grove Cemetery. Steve Garland and Fred Raymond officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. at Peoples Chapel. The family requests that memorials be made to the ALS Ironhorse Foundation, P.O. Box 59794, Birmingham, AL 35259-9794.

Michael Mario Xuereb: Made his mark in food and real estate

07:05 AM CDT on Thursday, March 22, 2007
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News
jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

Michael Mario Xuereb, a native of Malta, became a successful Dallas real estate entrepreneur and restaurateur.

The businesses complemented each other, and for several years, beginning in the late 1980s, Mr. Xuereb operated both in northeast Dallas.

"He always used to brag to everybody that he took care of the two basic needs: food and shelter," said his son Michael J. Xuereb of Dallas.

"You could come on in to him and, in an evening, walk out with a full belly and a house, if you wanted one."

Mr. Xuereb, 67, died Sunday of complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

A funeral Mass for Mr. Xuereb will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

He will be entombed in Calvary Hill Mausoleum.

"He just loved people, obviously," his son said.

Born in Tarxien, Malta, Mr. Xuereb grew up in a family of 11 children.

He majored in theology and philosophy at the University of Rome before he immigrated to Detroit in 1963 to be near an uncle who lived there.

Mr. Xuereb didn't like Detroit and moved to the Dallas area, where his brother, the Rev. Publius Xuereb, had been assigned after being ordained. Father Xuereb is pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in The Colony.

Mr. Xuereb attended what is now the University of Texas at Arlington and received his master's degree in English from the University of Dallas, while teaching Italian one day a week at Richland College.

He attended law school at Southern Methodist University but changed his career plans after his mother died in Malta.

In 1972, he and two brothers opened an Italian restaurant, Mike's Spaghetti Inn, on East Mockingbird Lane at Skillman Street. His brothers later returned to Malta, but Mr. Xuereb stayed with the business, where he met many real estate professionals.

By the early 1980s, Mr. Xuereb, who had dabbled in real estate since his law school days, decided to focus on the profession, his son said.

"That's when he started working for Merrill Lynch; he got his real estate license and went to work for Merrill Lynch and did very well," his son said.

Mr. Xuereb then started Michael's Realty Inc., which specialized in property in East Dallas and Lakewood. In addition to helping people buy and sell homes, he invested in properties and became a landlord.

By the late 1980s, he decided to re-enter the restaurant business: He opened the Spaghetti Inn, this time in Hillside Village at Mockingbird Lane and Hillside Drive. His real estate office was right next door.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Xuereb gave up his second restaurant to attend all his son's football games at Bishop Lynch High School in the early 1990s.

In addition to his brother and son, Mr. Xuereb is survived by his wife, Mary Carmel Xuereb of Dallas; another son, Colin Xuereb of Dallas; and several other brothers and five sisters, who are scattered around the world.

Memorials may be made to the North Texas ALS Association, 1231 Greenway Drive, Suite 270, Irving, Texas 75038.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


C. George Brower
PLEASANT VALLEY - C. George Brower, "Popcorn Man", 66, a lifelong resident of Pleasant Valley died Monday, March 19, 2007 at his home after a brave and courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was lovingly cared for at home by his family and friends. Mr. Brower was employed by Norki Energy Systems in Poughkeepsie prior to his illness. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Valley. Born in Sharon, CT on June 9, 1940, he was the son of the late Clayton Edward Brower and Dorcas Honour Brower who resides in Hyde Park. After graduating from Arlington High School he joined the Air Force and served 4 years. He then signed on with the US Navy Sea Bee Reserves, retiring after 28 years of service. On May 28, 1965 at Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, George married Joyce Purdy. Mrs Brower survives at home. George had a great love for people and spent many years with his antique popcorn wagons at fairs, flea markets and car shows. He was one of the original members of the Century Museum Village demonstrating with his collection of old time antique engines and other collectibles. He also loved collecting music boxes and carousel items, traveling around the country to many meets. Wheels were his passion and he loved restoring old cars. We would like to thank his many friends from the car community who have supported us during George's illness. In addition to his wife Joyce and mother Dorcas, George is survived by his son Jeff, daughter in law Aimee and the light of his life, granddaughter Isabella all of San Francisco,CA; sisters, Kathy Blackwell and husband Rory of Hyde Park and Nancy Heriegel and husband Mert of Florida; brothers, David Brower of AZ., and Peter and his wife Gayle of Pleasant Valley; mother in law, Anne Purdy of Pleasant Valley; sister in law, Ida Mikula and husband Mike of Pleasant Valley; and brother in law, Edward Purdy and wife Carole of OK. George was able to experience some wonderful adventures/interests with his many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday 4-8 pm at Allen Funeral Home, 1605 Main St., Pleasant Valley. Funeral services will be held Friday 11 am from Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, Main St., Pleasant Valley. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in George's memory to Pleasant Valley Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 417, Pleasant Valley,NY 12569 or Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 664, Pleasant Valley,NY 12569. If you would like to send the family a condolence and for directions, please visit www.HudsonValleyFuneralHomes.com

George Bainbridge


George Bainbridge, age 46, of Manhattan, IL, born Oct. 2, 1960, passed away March 20, 2007, at Joliet Community Hospice Home. George suffered from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) since July of 2004. George was a 20 year member of the Chicago Local #52 Tuck Pointer Union. George is survived by his wife of 12 years, Amy; and their three young boys, Ryan, nine; Carson, three; and Grant, nine months old. A benefit fund has been established for the Bainbridge Family at any Harris Bank location.

Gary "The Grrr" Loritz
Gary "The Grrr" Loritz 1949 ~ 2007 Gary "The Grrr" Loritz died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, March 12, from ALS at the age of 57. Gary was attended by his loving wife Kristie. Gary was born in Biloxi, Miss., on Nov. 11, 1949, while his father was in the Air Force. He was raised in Southern California until 1963, when his mother, sister and brother David moved to Park City. Gary attended Park City High School and graduated from Skyline High in 1967. Gary attended the University of Utah where he was on the ski team. Gary's passion for skiing started in 1963 at Treasure Mountain Resort, now Park City Mountain Resort, where he was on the first ski racing team and was coached by Gordy West and Jim McConkey. His passion for skiing continued throughout his life. He was a world-class ski racer and well known by USA Ski Team members and the racing community. He and Claudio Vianello founded the USSA Alpine Master's Ski Racing Program. Gary was known for his love for speed, his impatience with tight courses and his quick wit. His lifelong contribution to ski racing is celebrated with the USSA Alpine Master's Loritz Cup held in January. Gary built his ranch, "Racers Roost," in 1995, where he raised his horses and ran his business, Spa Tenders, started in 1984 and now run by his son Gordy. He had a strong spiritual connection to the Escalante River on Lake Powell, where he loved to take family and friends. Gary is survived by his loving "Angel" wife Kristie; his beloved son Gordy; father Edmund Loritz; sister Kathy Loritz-Mechling; and brother Danny Loritz. Other family members include Sally Lundstrom Loritz Sunberg; Sheila Loritz; Brook Haven and Janzen Gower; Patricia, Tracie and Stephie Fails. He is preceded in death by his mother Lianne K. Parks and brother David Loritz. His beloved and faithful dog, Sierra, died shortly after his death. There will be a celebration of Gary's life on March 31, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Butcher's Restaurant on Park Avenue in Park City. All friends and family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to your favorite charity.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 3/18/2007.
Guest Book • Flowers • Charities

Mauldin, community leader and volunteer, died Saturday



Lanny Mauldin, a community leader and long-time member of the Rhea Medical Center Board of Directors, died Saturday at RMC of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 66.

A retired professional photographer who owned successful businesses in Florida, Chattanooga and Dayton, Mauldin was a strong supporter of the Dayton community since moving from Florida in 1979.

He served as president of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce in 1984-85 and was a member of the Rhea County Commission from 1990 to 1998. He was also a member of the Rhea County Homeland Security Team. Mauldin was a long-time member of the Rhea County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and served as squadron commander for several years.

Bryan College President Dr. Stephen Livesay gave an informal eulogy for Mauldin Monday evening during the Dayton Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

“Lanny helped virtually every institution in this community in some way,” Livesay said. “He was a man of diverse interests. The last trip we took together up to Muddy Pond to get some fresh sorghum molasses—something we both loved—he told me about how he used to work with the Civil Air Patrol and volunteer his time for search and rescue missions.

“Lanny was a friend to all,” Livesay continued. “It didn’t matter to him if you were a king on a hill or a peasant in the valley; he would treat you with the same respect.”

Mauldin was born in Mansfield, La., on Dec. 26, 1940. He served with the U.S. Army and was an award-winning professional photographer who was contracted to photograph NASA space shots and several presidents.

He and his wife, Barbara, former principal of Graysville Elementary School, moved to Dayton in 1979. A member of Dayton First United Methodist Church, he was well known for his fish fries and chili suppers, which he regularly prepared as fundraisers for local church and civic groups.

The owner and operator of Mauldin Photography in Dayton and then Quality Photo Services in Chattanooga, he also served on the President’s Conference on Small Business. Recently the Dayton Rotary Club named him an honorary member and a Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to the club, although he had never been a member. Wal-Mart also recognized Mauldin as a Wal-Mart Hometown Hero.

Respected judge dies after house fire
San Grewal, The Toronto Star Staff Reporter
TORONTO -- When Canadian legal icon Sam Filer reached the height of his career, he refused to let a debilitating condition slow him down. The man who had earlier helped persecuted Jewish citizens of the former Soviet Union continued his dogged fight for human rights.


Shortly after he was appointed an Ontario District Judge (now referred to as Ontario Superior Court Judge) in 1984, Filer was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which eventually paralyzed him from the neck down.


On Wednesday, after a fire at his home, he died at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre of complications related to his condition.


During a memorial service yesterday, Filer's wife Toni Silberman asked those in attendance to remember her husband as both a courageous champion of human rights and a beloved family man and friend to all those he loved.


She singled out her husband's close relationship with her mother -- whom Filer invited on their honeymoon -- and her sister, Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella.


His legacy, she said, will live on in the memories of all those he touched.


"He had a fundamental interest in people and their concerns," said Patrick LeSage, former Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court. "I was there when he was appointed in 1984 and we became not only colleagues, but close friends."


LeSage spoke at yesterday's service at Benjamin's Park Memorial on Steeles Ave. W., detailing Filer's illustrious career as a corporate lawyer with a personal interest in human rights and then his remarkable career as a judge.


He told the Star about the work that set Filer apart.


"There was a group in Canada started around the late '70s, early '80s, called the Canadian Committee of Lawyers and Jurists for Soviet Jewry, to promote the cause of Jews in the (former) Soviet Union. Sam was one of the co-founders."


The group was instrumental in putting pressure on the Russian government to allow often-persecuted Jewish citizens to emigrate. Filer made regular trips overseas and the movement eventually helped thousands of Jewish Russians come to Canada and other western countries, long before the cold war ended.


"When he was diagnosed with ALS, it was obviously tremendously traumatic and upsetting to he and Toni," LeSage said.


"As it progressed, though, what you saw was this tremendous strength of character and sheer courage you might not have seen before. It began to shine."


In 1999 Filer was honoured with a special award by B'nai Brith's League for Human Rights.


"He had an absolutely stellar reputation, not just with one organization, but with an entire range of Jewish organizations," said Frank Dimant, vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada, said in a phone interview from Florida. "He was a natural leader."


Filer chaired the national Civil Liberties Section of the Canadian Bar Association and its Ontario branch, and was also on the national executive of the Canadian Jewish Congress, which honours other distinguished members with an award in Filer's name.


Eventually, however, the ALS -- a progressive fatal neurological disease -- began to take its toll. Although he continued working as a judge with the help of a speaking device, the rigors of the job finally caught up with him. He retired from the bench in 2004. Sam Filer is survived by his wife, their four children, and eight grandchildren.

Tom Jay showed strength on and off the field




Jay
Tom Jay was a gifted athlete.

He grew up in Massillon, Ohio, a town rich in high school football tradition, and was an All-Ohio right end during Paul Brown’s tenure as coach.

Brown, for whom the National Football League Cleveland Browns are named, went on to become a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

Mr. Jay was an athlete at the universities of Oregon and Wisconsin and played semi-pro football in Cleveland.

He was a sports fan throughout his life and was an avid tennis player, a good swimmer and an outdoorsman.

Thomas Cashmere Jay died in his sleep March 19 of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 82.

The disease attacks the nervous system and Mr. Jay was paralyzed from the neck down his last three years.

The deterioration of such an active man was difficult for his family to watch.

“But in spite of that, he maintained his strength of character and his dignity through the whole thing,” his son, Thomas Dale Jay of Fayetteville, said. “ALS can strike anyone at any time during their life, but luckily it struck Dad in his late 70's, so he was able to live most of his life actively without the disease.”

In addition to his son, Mr. Jay is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; daughters, Linda Marie Bischoff of South Hold, N.Y., and June Renee Eck of Fayetteville; and three grandchildren.

Mr. Jay served in the Army in World War II and was awarded three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He was among American troops who marched into Nagasaki shortly after an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city.

In civilian life, he worked for Whitney Trading Co. for 20 years and was also affiliated with J.C. Penney, Treasure City and Wal-Mart as a manager and director of stores.

He loved his work and was good at it, spending his last 20 years in Fayetteville.

“He kept retiring,” his wife said, “but he couldn’t stay retired. He was restless and if someone asked him to do something, he was there.”

Mrs. Jay met her future husband in high school.

“He was tall (6-3), handsome, and a nice, wonderful person from the very beginning,” she recalled. “He was very out-going and a sincere person. He loved people and always wanted to help those who needed help. He was just a lovable guy.”

Mr. Jay enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved laughter and often whistled when he was relaxed or busy doing yard work.

“He was an eater,” Mrs. Jay said. “Everything was his favorite, but he loved to make his own spaghetti.”

Mr. Jay was a music lover and owned a large selection of compact discs. He loved the Big Band sounds such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

“We’ve seen all the Big Band guys in person,” Mrs. Jay said. “We would go and dance. I guess you could say dancing was our other sport.”

Mr. Jay had the knack of making people feel special. He was a dedicated family man and made friends easily, mustering smiles for home health caregivers and the nursing staffs on the eighth floor at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and the third floor at Highsmith-Rainey.

Looking after his ailing father’s needs also influenced his son.

“It gave purpose to my life,” Thomas Dale Jay said. “The lesson that comes out of that is the strength that you find in your families and friends.”

Mr. Jay’s daughter, Linda, remembers her father’s coolness under pressure, even as his health failed.

“I can’t say enough for what my father’s life represents,” she said, “but I remember that, when things got tough, he would always say ‘At least I’m not in a foxhole and no one is shooting at me.’”

Mr. Jay often closed conversations with a simple request: “Do good things.”

“That’s what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” Linda said. “I want to do good things.”

Jim Pettit can be reached at pettitj@fayobserver.com or 486-3583.