ClassNotes

Robert J. Radford M.S. ’91, 54 of Fremont, formerly of Somis, passed away on August 1, 2012. Survived by his sons, Bryan 23, Nolan 18, and his siblings, Janet and David as well as his double-first cousins, John, Steve, and Bill and his former wife, Debra. Rob graduated from Moorpark College, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara University with degrees in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Finite Element Analysis (FEA). His favorite hobbies were golfing, surfing, soccer, hiking, and brewing his own beer.

Linda Crockett M.A. ’91, 67 years old, lost her life in a tragic automobile accident on July 26. 

Born on July 17, 1945, in Palo Alto, where she grew up, Linda received her B.A. degree from San Jose State University in 1976. She built a successful sales and marketing career in the publishing industry. In 1991, though, she made a major career change after earning her MFT master's from Santa Clara University.

Andrew John Solomon ’91 passed away quietly on Dec. 5, 2012, following a prolonged battle with brain cancer. Andy was a longtime pillar of the Fresno community having grown up in Fresno where he attended Bullard High School and went on to Santa Clara University, where he was their first baseman all four years. Following college, Andy returned to Fresno to complete a 25 year career in commercial real estate, during which he made innumerable friends, supported community improvements, and was admired and respected by everyone who came in contact with him. Andy, together with his family, fought against his illness for over five years. Andy's incredible strength and will to live resulted in him becoming one of the longest living survivors of full brain radiation treatment. We may all take some solace in the fact that Andy's participation in numerous experimental cancer treatment programs may help to improve the chances for future patients to possibly survive this now incurable disease. During this time he also felt a strong calling to reach out to others in hope of helping them face their own personal challenges. Andy's great love of baseball continued to the very end and was exceeded only by his love for his family and Faith in God. The family would like to thank the staff for the great dedication and care Andy received at both the University of California San Francisco, the Helen Diller Family Cancer Center; and Hinds Hospice. He leaves behind a loving wife Monique; and his two devoted daughters, Meg and Tess. In addition to the young family he leaves behind, there is an extended and devoted family that will continue to morn his loss. He also leaves behind his mother and father, Lew and Linda Solomon, of Fresno; his three siblings, Jeff Solomon '84 and his wife Carolyn of Tualatin, Or., Jim Solomon and his wife Melissa of Fresno, Susie Jones and her husband Tom of Sacramento; and numerous aunts; uncles; cousins; nephews and nieces. 

Paul Siggins M.S. ’94 was a resident of Santa Clara. Born September 21, 1960 in San Jose, died at home in Santa Clara July 28, 2012 of melanoma cancer after a brave and valiant 6 month fight with family and friends at his side. He is survived by his devoted wife, soul mate, and best friend of 21 years Karen Siggins. Loving son of Hugh (deceased), and Frances Siggins. Caring brother of Carol (deceased), Gary (Barbara), Bruce (Laura). Cherished son in law of Irene Capurso. Brother in Law of John & Alan Field. Dear nephew of Don & Kathy Sindel. Uncle of many nieces and nephews. Lifelong friend of David Lowery. Paul was warm, patient & kind. He had a loving, good natured disposition & effervescent zest for life. Although death took him at age 51, Paul lived life to the fullest and experienced more than most people do over a long lifetime. He & Karen traveled the world together. He especially loved cruising, reading, & watching the 49ers with his BFF Dave. He was a huge animal lover. Paul was a well respected & talented Electrical Engineer who enjoyed his job. He rec'd his BSEE from San Jose State, and his MSEE from Santa Clara University. Paul was most recently employed by Alara, Intellidx, and Thermo Fisher.

Thatcher Bryant Perkins ’95 of Woodinville, a much-loved son, brother, husband, and father, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 26. He was born in Tarrytown, N.Y. on July 5, 1972. Thatcher graduated from Woodinville High School and Santa Clara University. He is survived by his grandparents, John and Jeanne Quinn; his parents, Dennis and Robin Perkins; his brothers, Chris, John and Patrick; and his own family: Aimee, daughters Parker and Morgan, and son Brenner. Thatcher's appetite for adventure and dynamic humor were second only to his love for his children. Parker shares his zest and spirit, Brenner carries his daddy's boyish charm, and Morgan has Thatcher's smile and laughing eyes. He lives in each moment we remember his life and his love for us.

Rachel Brant Peres ’95, a resident of San Jose, entered into peaceful rest at age 39 on October 13, 2012 in San Jose after a courageous and inspiring 20-month battle with leukemia. Rachel was born March 6, 1973 at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. As a military "brat" she lived in 5 states prior to moving to Davis, Calif. in 1981. She graduated from Davis Sr. High School in 1991 where she played varsity soccer and volleyball. She earned a B.A. in Communications from Santa Clara University in 1995 and completed a semester abroad in Vienna, Austria. Rachel was an amazing writer and worked as a Public Relations and Marketing Specialist in Silicon Valley and she also started a small business selling her hand-made felt creations online and to boutiques in the Bay Area.

Rachel was married to Robert Peres in Santa Clara on September 17, 2000 and leaves two children Evan age 7 and Katherine age 5. As a family they enjoyed traveling around California and vacations to Hawaii. Rachel was active in the Hacienda Elementary School parent group and volunteering in her children's classrooms.

Rachel will be missed by many and forgotten by few. Survived by her loving husband Rob; her two beloved children, Evan and Kate: mother Linda Brant: stepfather William Brant (Barbara): stepmother Lesley Funk: brothers Ryan Brant (Tiffany), Dan Brant (Lindsay) and Jon Brant; and 10 adoring nieces and nephews. Rachel was predeceased by her father Warren K. Funk.

Rachel chronicled her illness on her Caringbridge blog which drew in thousands of readers who were inspired by her wit and courage.

Sister Celia Ann Cavazos, MCDP M.A. ’95, a Missionary Catechist of Divine Providence for 55 years, died on August 28, 2012, at the age of 75. She was born to Esteban Cavazos and Celia Gonzales on December 22, 1936, in Pierce, TX.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Stephen Cavazos, Jr., her sisters and brothers-in-law, Minnie Rodriguez, Alice Montalvo, Domingo Montalvo, Rudy Rodriguez, and Luis Madrid. Sister Celia Ann is survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Alma and Joseph C. Diaz, Mary Carmen Madrid, Celia Martha Weiss, Annie Marie Morales and Elias Morales; nieces and nephews, Domingo, Jr., Margaret, Elizabeth, Joseph, Virginia, Rudy, Steven, Christopher, Brian, Katherine, Mark, Jason and 17 great nieces and nephews.

Sister Celia Ann made her first vows as a Missionary Catechist of Divine Providence on August 6, 1957. She served her religious community as General Superior of the Congregation, a member of the Leadership Council, formation directress, and directress of a house of discernment in Fresno, CA. She served as Vicar of Educational Services and the Vocations Office in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. She also served as Director of the Office of Religious Education in the Diocese of Fresno and in the Offices of Religious Education and Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Austin. Sister Celia Ann served the needs of People of God as a catechetical leader in Texas parishes of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the Diocese of Fresno, the Diocese of Austin, the Diocese of Brownsville, and the Diocese of Corpus Christi. She was well known as a national catechetical leader. A graduate from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX, the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA, Sister served God's people with compassion and love. 

Sherwin Manalo ’97, who was 37 and a former resident of South Lake Tahoe, California, passed away in a tragic car accident on September 3, 2012. He was the South Tahoe High School valedictorian for the Class of 1993 and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University in 1997. After graduating from SCU, he was involved in many structural design projects with engineering consulting firms such as Mark Thomas & Company, Rajappan & Meyer, and BkF. Sherwin has left a mark in our communities with his structural designs which included improvements in our freeway interchanges and bridges. Sherwin left a mark in our hearts as well and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his parents, Tony and Elisa Manalo, brother, Ariel, and sister, Noreen. Sherwin loved his family and friends and will always be remembered for his generosity and keen wit. He will be missed dearly. 

Sean Gabriel O'Bryan ’99 left this world on Jan. 18, 2013. Born July 4, 1977, he attended Brophy College Preparatory and Santa Clara University (Computer Engineering). He was a gifted trumpet player. Gabriel lived a full, joy-filled and generous life in Seattle, working for Microsoft and creating a company of his own. He joins his beloved grandfathers Dr. Eugene Acosta Marin and Louis Bertrand O'Bryan, Sr., and awaits being reunited with his loved ones: parents Bert & Marty; brothers Michael, Seamus Raphael, Devin; grandmothers Marie Marin and Frances O'Bryan, his loving aunts and uncles, and many, many cousins.