Santa Clara Magazine

Abby Sobrato '83 died on May 27, 2010. She was the wife of John M. Sobrato '83, mother of John A. Sobrato '10 and Jeff M. Sobrato '11, and daughter-in-law of John M. Sobrato '60. The following obituary appeared in the San Jose Mercury News on May 28.

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Abby Sobrato, member of philanthropic family in Santa Clara Valley, dies of pancreatic cancer
By Sandra Gonzales

Abby Sobrato, a member of an influential philanthropic family with deep Santa Clara Valley roots, died Thursday after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was 49.
Mrs. Sobrato was the wife of John M. Sobrato and daughter-in-law of John A. Sobrato, a prominent developer and founder of the Sobrato Family Foundation, which has donated millions to nonprofit organizations.
Beyond being a devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Sobrato was a philanthropist in her own right - a woman with many charitable passions. On the top of that list was the Walden West Science Center, a nonprofit that encourages young students to learn the sciences.
She was not just the president of the Walden West Foundation in name, she led the building campaign for its science classrooms, said Margaret Nanda, a fellow board member.
"She was the most giving, loving, wonderful person," Nanda said. "She was the most sincere, genuinely kind person. A great light has been extinguished. I am just so sad. It's a great loss for the whole valley."
Mrs. Sobrato also was the co-founder of the Princess Project Silicon Valley, a charitable mission that provides prom dresses and accessories for girls who can't afford it, Nanda said.
Active in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Los Gatos, Mrs. Sobrato graduated from Saratoga High. She met her husband at Santa Clara University - an account she lovingly recalls in a blog documenting her illness.
"This time in March always holds a special place in my heart. March 11, 1983, is the day that I met my husband," she wrote last March. Her husband was bartending at the university's happy hour. "John poured me a beer and we noticed each other for the first time."
They married and had two sons, Jeff and John. Both now attend Santa Clara University.
"I was lucky to have the kids and all the 'specials' home for Thanksgiving. The 'specials' are the kids that have literally grown up with my kids," she wrote in December.
Throughout her illness, Mrs. Sobrato displayed high spirit and good cheer - traits she showed all her life.
"She was a very creative person and loved to socialize," Nanda said. "There are so many that can call her a friend."
She also was a great photographer, Nanda said.
Just months before her diagnosis, she was avidly snapping pictures at an open house for the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, said Carole Leigh Hutton, president of United Way Silicon Valley. The foundation opened the center as a home for valley nonprofits.
"The whole Sobrato family and the family foundation are just extraordinary people," Hutton said.
Hutton met her for the first time in September 2008, when Mrs. Sobrato and her husband accepted a "Philanthropist of the Year" United Way award on behalf of the Sobrato Family Foundation.
"I found her quite remarkable. I think of her as just an incredibly vivacious, dynamic energetic person," Hutton said. "It's just so tragic to see this happen to someone so young and so giving."
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 219 Bean Ave., Los Gatos at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. Sobrato's memory to the Walden West Foundation, 15555 Sanborn Road, Saratoga, CA 95070-9709.

Sharon Ann Fierro 84' on Thursday, December 4, 2008. A native of San Jose, she was 62 years old and lived in San Jose all of her 62 years. Loving mother of Michael (Liliana) Fierro and Stephanie (Denis) Eastwood. She was the cherished grandmother of Gabriela and David with another grandchild on the way, and beloved daughter of Billie Watts.

Ram-Mohan Savkoor MBA '84 passed away on November 7, 2009.

Gary Skinner MBA '84 passed away on March 16, 2011. He was from Chico, Calif., and a graduate of Chico High School and U.C. Davis. His obituary appeared in The Herald newspaper in Monterey County, where he lived for the last 28 years of his life. It also appeared in the Chico Enterprise-Record.

Elizabeth Julie Powers ’84, affectionately named "Missy" by friends and family, passed away from complications endured during a more than a two-year struggle with breast cancer.

Missy is survived by her sons, Joey Powers (18) and Matt Powers (15), and husband, John Powers ’83 all  of Watsonville; mother Susan Scurich of Watsonville; brothers Tony Scurich ’81 and Mike Scurich ’84 of Watsonville and sister Mimi Scurich ’89 of San Jose. Missy was blessed to have the love of a large and supportive family including nieces Casey and Megan; nephews Jeff, Scott, Luke, and Zach; as well as sisters-in-law Julie ’82 and Jennifer ’83. She joined her father, Luke “Bud” A. Scurich ’54, in heaven who passed away nearly two years ago.

Chris F. Merryman MA '84 passed away May 20, 2010, Sunnyvale, Calif., age 69. A long-time teacher, administrator, and counselor in the Bay Area, he earned an MFT degree from University of Santa Clara. Chris enjoyed travel, cars, movies, games, jokes, and dinners with friends. Even after being slowed by the onset of Parkinson's disease later in life, he was a strong advocate for community youth programs, stressing leadership, communication, and support services.

Stephen Donald Paietta Jr. '85, born May 28, 1963, in Los Angeles, passed away August 31, 2009 in San Jose, Calif. He graduated from Hoover High School in Glendale, Calif., and received a bachelor's degree in political science from Santa Clara University. Stephen is survived by his mother, Kay; his sister Madeline (Edward) Munn; his sisters Mary Davis and Margaret Goodman; his brother Dan (Diane) Paietta; his brothers Michael, Chris, and Robert; and three nieces and six nephews.

Ruth W. Renzel '85 December 12, 2008, age 46.

Oceana del Fuego MBA ’85 died on November 28, 2010. Born January 28, 1955 in Essex England, she died at her Bellevue home surrounded in love by her friends and family. She earned her MBA from Santa Clara University. Oceana's love for nature, her passion to heal self and others and her passion for giving and music inspired all who knew her. This led her to start the non-profit Puerta Abierta Foundation (PAF), providing basic necessities for the indigenous Bri-Bri people and other groups in Costa Rica. She also reached out to migrant farm workers in organizing a care program to show her concern. Her passion for music led her to become a guitar teacher. Oceana's spiritual practice of mindfulness and gratitude drew people to her. Her signature salutation was "Blessings". Oceana, the blessing is to have known you. She is survived by her partner Max Mathies, parents Marjorie and Samuel Broom and her relatives in England.

Miguel S. Demapan J.D. ’85, retired chief justice of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, passed away on June 30, 2012, in Saipan. During the course of his nearly 20-year career, Demapan served as both a Judge Pro Tempore in the Superior Court of Guam and Justice Pro Tempore of the Supreme Court of Guam. Chief Justice of Guam F. Philip Carbullido said, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan.  He served the judiciaries of the CNMI, Guam, and Micronesia with integrity and fairness. His colleagues throughout the Marianas and Micronesia had the deepest respect and admiration for his untiring commitment to the Rule of Law. I join my colleagues in the CNMI, Guam, and Micronesia in extending our deepest sympathy to Frances and their children.”

Marion Roberta (Danskin) Milligan M.A. '85, age 77 of Valparaiso, formerly of Sunnyvale, CA, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2012. She was born in Gary, IN, the daughter of Robert and Elsie Fern Danskin (nee Willmoth). Survived by her husband, David Milligan of Valparaiso; sister, Margaret (George) Yetsko and aunt, Virginia Park, both of Hobart. Marion graduated from Emerson High School, Class of 1953. She received her B.S. Degree in Nursing from Indiana University and her Master's Degree from the University of Santa Clara, California. Marion retired as Head Nurse at NASA AMES, Moffett Field, CA. She lived in California for 38 years. Marion loved golf and was a world traveler.

Donald W. Pray '85, a long-time resident of Cupertino, died on June 7, 2009 at age 82 after a short illness. He is survived by his daughter Jane Pray-Silver, two sisters, and six grand-children. Don was raised in the Boston area and he traced his family history in the U.S. back to the 17th century. Don completed a 22-year career in the Navy, aboard the USS Coral Sea, as a chief petty officer. During a tour of duty in the Philippines, he met, courted, and then later married his wife Josephine. After retiring from the Navy, Don completed his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at San Jose State University. He completed an MBA at Santa Clara University while at Underwriters Laboratory, where he worked for 19 years, retiring from his position as Associate Managing Engineer in 1989. After retirement, Don continued his many pursuits. He maintained his vintage VW Beetles. He was certified as a small airplane pilot, and loved to fly his single-engine Cessna. He was an avid bicyclist and military historian. He is preceded in death by his wife and their son Joseph.

Constance "Connie" M. Ridder J.D. '85 died at her Pebble Beach home on August 5, 2011 surrounded by family. She was 70 and had battled intestinal cancer.  "She was the voice of reason," said her husband, P. Anthony Ridder, former Knight Ridder Chief Executive and SCU Board of Trustees member, as well as the 1986 recipient of an SCU honorary degree. "I could talk things through with her, and her judgment about situations was always very mature. With some people in life, you never know what you're getting on a certain day. With Connie, everything was very even-keel."  Constance Louise Meach Ridder was born in Charlotte, Mich., the second of three children. She was raised in Traverse City, Mich., where her father was a small-business man who at one time owned a boat store before buying a dry-cleaning shop, where her mother also worked.  It was a traditional Midwestern family with solid values—something that would serve her well during a life that would become more privileged than most, but was marked by a sense of frugality and a no-nonsense work ethic that aided her transformation into an accomplished attorney, dedicated golfer and passionate gardener.  From an early age, she also reveled in competitive sports, including skiing—she was Central U.S. Ski Champion in 1957—as well as tennis and golf. At one time she posted an 11 handicap.  She met Tony Ridder while both were enrolled in the same philosophy course at the University of Michigan. They were married during their junior year after a short engagement.  "She was smart and fun, and we just fell in love," said her husband, who recalled telling her with a smile, "Stick with me; you'll go places." While she interrupted her studies to get married, Tony Ridder continued on, graduating from the university in preparation for a career in his family's newspaper chain. After stints at Ridder newspapers in Aberdeen, S.D., and Pasadena, the couple moved in 1964 to San Jose, where Tony Ridder worked his way up to publisher at the Mercury News.  In 1986, after he was named president of the newspaper division of Knight Ridder, the couple left for the company's headquarters in Miami. In 1995, he became chairman and CEO of Knight Ridder. In 2006, part of the chain, including the Mercury News, was purchased by its current owner, MediaNews. But it was while living in Saratoga, where they were raising their four children, that Connie Ridder decided she wanted to do something more with her life, starting with earning her college diploma.  "She was always a person who felt like she wanted to work and earn what she had," said her best friend, Sally Lucas.  In 1977, she began at West Valley College, earning straight A's. She then enrolled at Stanford University for three years, graduating with a degree in political science.  Wondering what she should do next, her husband—who had once been interested in attending law school himself—suggested she apply."I told her that way I could vicariously go to law school," he recalled. During a four-year program at Santa Clara University, her family said, she was determined to balance her responsibilities as a wife and mother—even if it meant sitting on the bleachers during her son Par's football practices reading law books, Par Ridder recalled.  "She was still very much our mother. That was always her priority," said daughter Susie Ridder, who also earned a law degree at SCU. "Tony and her family were the love of her life—that's what really meant everything to her," Lucas said.  In many ways, Connie Ridder's goals coincided well with her move to Miami. By that time, her children were mostly grown. And being in a new city where she at first knew few people, she could focus on her career, initially as a corporate attorney, and then as a trust and estate attorney. The training was tough, but she was conscientious, refusing to bill clients for the total amount of hours she put in until she got up to speed, her family said.  "I told her, 'You're the only attorney in America who doesn't bill their clients for the full hours they put in on the job,'" Tony Ridder said. Her goal was to become partner, and by 1992 she did so at the Miami office of Holland & Knight, one of the country's largest law firms. "She didn't do anything lightheartedly," said daughter Linda Walker. "She was very tenacious."  Over the years, Connie Ridder had taken up golf and, like other endeavors, was determined to master it in her own way, beginning with a set of her husband's right-handed clubs, even though she was left-handed. The game was a social opportunity, but also a test of her skills against others. "She was a student of golf," said daughter Katie Ridder, who noted that her mother was forever studying magazines and videotapes to improve her game. "She analyzed everything." Not long after returning to the Bay Area with her husband in 1998, she wound down her law career and threw herself into civic activities, serving as the first female president of the governing board at the Filoli Center in Woodside, a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and later as a trustee of the Carmel chapter of The Garden Club of America. She was also the longtime head of the Ladies Golf Committee at the Cypress Point Club. "What Connie brought to the board was wisdom coupled with grace," said Jane Risser, Filoli's executive director, who called her "very strategic," but mindful of Filoli's culture and the value of its 1,300 volunteers. "She was able to help everyone understand that we had the same shared vision for Filoli, which was to make the institution enjoyable and accessible to the whole public, from young children to people with physical disabilities," Risser said.  Her passing, Risser said, is "a tremendous loss for everyone."

Beverly Ann Rossi '85 on August 8, 2010. After a courageous battle with cancer, Beverly passed peacefully at her home in Saratoga surrounded by her family. Born the daughter of Jerry & Dolores Zafiratos on June 16, 1949 in McCloud, Calif. Loving wife of Richard Rossi and Sister of Gus Zafiratos, Beverly is survived by her devoted husband, daughters Cynthia Rossi and  Rikki Hanna, step-daughters Teresa Anderson and Kristina Carter, precious grandchildren Tina Metz, Michaela Anderson, Jessica Carter, Justin Carter, Ryan Hanna and Mason Hanna, great-grandchildren Dylan Metz and Alexis Metz.  Beverly received her Bachelor of Science and master degrees from Santa Clara University and doctorate in psychology from Pacific Graduate School in 1994. She had her own private Marriage & Family Counseling practice in San Jose, CA for 15 years where she touched and helped so many lives. She was a dedicated board member of the Valle Monte League, Calif. She will always be remembered for her strength, grace, intelligence, and her passion for life. She left a lasting impression wherever she went and will truly be missed.

William F. "Bill" Weitz Jr. MBA '86, resident of San Jose, died March 31, 2010, in Needham, Mass., after a courageous battle with cancer. Born September 15, 1951, in Pittsburgh, Penn.; he was the son of the late William F. and Elizabeth (Alex) Weitz Sr. Bill served in the Navy as an electronics technician from 1969-1973, aboard the USS Seattle. He graduated from U.C. Irvine and later with an MBA from Santa Clara University. He enjoyed a long career in talent management with various high tech companies in Silicon Valley, including Watkins-Johnson, KLA Tencor, Yahoo! and Solectron. He volunteered for many years with Furry Friends Animal Rescue and united many pets with their forever homes. He will be missed by family and friends, including children Joey and Jennifer Weitz and their mother Beth Weitz, daughter-in-law Kristin Weitz and granddaughter, Ashlynn Weitz all of San Jose and his companion Kerry Sullivan of Concord, Mass. He was the brother of Cynthia (Pix) DeMann, Pamela Grove and Richard Weitz.

Sydney Byron Darington ’86, of Fremont, Calif., passed away July 21, 2011.

Philip Chike  Nchekwube '83, MBA '86 on March 8, 2010. A native of Aguleri in Anambra State, Nigeria, Chike was born in Lagos to Georgina Nchekwube and the late Matthias Nchekwube. He returned to Aguleri at the onset of the Nigerian civil war and completed his secondary school studies at All Hallows Seminary in Onitsha. Chike then moved to the United States in 1979 and subsequently obtained his undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA from Santa Clara University in California where he graduated with distinction as the class valedictorian. He also held a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley and worked at various times as an accountant at Xerox, an attorney at the global law firm of Jones Day in Washington DC, a business owner of three GNC stores in northern California, a deputy prosecutor in Lake County, Indiana and a professor of Business Law and Accounting at St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Left to mourn Chike are his wife, Miranda Nchekwube sons, Ikenna and Nnamdi Nchekwube; mother; brothers, Emeka and Chiedu Nchekwube; sisters, Angelina Ivenso, Uju Nchekwube, Victoria Nchekwube; in-laws, along with countless other friends and family members who were blessed to have known him. Chike had a good wit and enjoyed long conversations with friends and kin, championing the aspirations of the Aguleri people in the diaspora, and being with his family. He touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of wit and stubborn integrity all the way to the end.

Peter C. Hellwig ’86 on Feb. 2, 2008.

Michelle Kenealey Corbett '86 passed away peacefully, with her loving family by her side, on January 26, 2010, in Oakland, at the age of 45. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert A. Kenealey in 2004, and her mother Eileen Kenealey in 2007. She is survived by her adoring husband, Kevin, adoring daughters Katie and Megan, loving sisters Maureen Matteri, Danielle Kenealey and Joelle Kenealey, loving aunts Irma Burnett and Mary Mahoney and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. Michelle attended Epiphany elementary school and St. Rose Academy High School in San Francisco. She graduated from Santa Clara University in 1986 and married her true love, Kevin, in 1990. She was a long time parishioner of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Oakland, where her children attended school. She was very active in numerous parish events and activities,most especially those involving the school and the WINGS organization. She co-chaired the school auction twice. Michelle was known for providing sound advice and good counsel to many, especially to her fellow school moms with whom she worked and played and developed many deep friendships. Her favorite things to do were spending time with her large group of family and friends, cooking, traveling, socializing and hosting parties and events. She will remain forever an important part of the loving and supportive community of St. Theresa parish and school. Her many and varied friends will know that they need only to listen carefully whenever they wish to hear her familiar, easy laugh and when they wish to seek her advice and counsel which she will continue to give freely.

Marc Thomas Friscia '86 April 6, 1964 - August 5, 2010. Cherished son of Natalie Friscia and the late Carl Friscia, adored father to Natalie Friscia, loving brother to Tony (Linda) Friscia, Tina Clark (Steve), and loving uncle to Antonio Friscia, Michelle Rosecrans, Chris Friscia, Denise Gewecke, Karen Wilhelm, and survived by grand nephews, nieces, cousins, many friends, especially Lydia. He attended St. Vincent de Paul Grammar School, St. Ignatius College Prep, and Santa Clara University, and received a MBA from University of San Francisco. Marc loved to cook and entertain family and friends. He enjoyed traveling. He will be missed. He lit up our lives!

Marc Thomas Friscia ’86 died on August 5, 2010. Born on April 6, 1964, he was the cherished son of Natalie Friscia and the late Carl Friscia, adored father to Natalie Friscia, loving brother to Tony (Linda) Friscia, Tina Clark (Steve), loving uncle to Antonio Friscia, Michelle Rosecrans, Chris Friscia, Denise Gewecke, Karen Wilhelm, survived by grand nephews, nieces, cousins, many friends, especially Lydia. Attended St. Vincent de Paul Grammar School, St. Ignatius College Prep, Santa Clara University, received his MBA from University of San Francisco. Marc loved to cook and entertain family and friends. He enjoyed traveling. He will be missed. He lit up our lives!

Bruce Ruffin MBA '86 died on June 11, 2011 at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose at the age  of 54. For the past two years, Ruffin fought lung cancer showing those around him how precious each day is. He will be remembered fondly for his patience, quick wit, sense of humor, intelligence and friendly charm. Ruffin is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years Cheryl Koshiro, his adored children Travis Ruffin and Lauren Ruffin, his parents Paul Sr. and Leona Ruffin (Suffern, N.Y.), sisters Valerie Mathews (Nyack, N.Y.) and Lorna Conley (New Port Richey, Fla.), brother Paul Ruffin Jr. (Orange, N.J.), eleven nieces and nephews, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Ruffin was born on December 13, 1956 to Paul and Leona Mae Ruffin in Suffern, N.Y. Raised in a military family, Ruffin attended various elementary schools, including ones in the San Francisco Bay area and the Philippines before his family settled in Spring Valley, N.Y. in 1968. He was a 1974 graduate of Spring Valley High School lettering in football and baseball. He then attended State University of New York, College at Oneonta where he received a Bachelors of Art in 1978. Driving himself out west, he settled in San Jose where he completed a Masters of Business Administration at Santa Clara University in 1986. He was employed at Fujitsu Technology Solutions, Inc./AMDAHL in product management for 18 years. After leaving high tech, he enjoyed working as a tax consultant with H&R Block and insurance sales with Banker's Life and Casualty and All Care Insurance. Ruffin most enjoyed being involved with his children and always made it a point to support his children's various interests. This included coaching his son's baseball teams and supporting his daughter's interests in musical theater. Throughout his life, Ruffin was involved with baseball. As a youngster, Ruffin played Little League and as an adult played for several leagues. He coached baseball over ten years with various organizations such as the Evergreen Little League, Police Athletic League and Evergreen Valley high school in San Jose, California. "Coach Bruce" will always be remembered for his positive attitude and dedication to supporting not only his own children but to those he had the pleasure of coaching. An avid reader, Ruffin especially liked science fiction, history and science. He was a self described political junkie and his favorite TV channel was MSNBC. He was a loyal New York Yankees and San Jose Sharks fan.

Ulrike Katharina Johnson '87 on June 8, 2009 in Hawaii. Mrs. Ulrike "Bieni" Johnsonwas born October 16, 1965. She peacefully passed away June 8, at St. Francis Hospice after a valiant battle against cancer. She was the beloved wife to Robert M. Johnson and mother to 13-year-old Alicia and 10-year-old Ryan. The daughter of Mr. Adi Kohler and Mrs. Kathrin "Chacha" Kohler of Waimea, Hawaii and sister to Christian Kohler of Lincoln, Nebraska. Fittingly, her parents chose the nickname of Bieni, because even as a child, she was always "busy as a bee." Her parents, Adi and Chacha Kohler, hail from Germany and moved to America for Mr. Kohler's illustrious career in the hotel industry working for the Rockefellers on the Mainland, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Bieni was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in Waimea on the Big Island, where she graduated from the Hawaii Preparatory Academy. She followed her father's footsteps in the hotel industry and worked for Ritz Carlton and Starwood Hotels after graduating from Santa Clara University. Since 2005, Bieni worked for technology leader Trex Enterprises Corporation. While attending Santa Clara University, Bieni met and married Robert Johnson and they have spent 25 wonderful years together. She instantly became a member of the large Johnson Ohana to include Bob's parents, seven brothers, two sisters and dozens of nieces and nephews. Bob's career with Johnson Bros. of Hawaii, Inc. brought them back to the Islands in 1988 spending 8 years on the Big Island and the past 13 years in Honolulu. Together they have raised two outstanding children--Alicia and Ryan. Bieni previously served as President of the Star of the Sea School Parent Teacher Guild where she was continuously honored for her hard work in raising funds for the school. She was passionately involved with her children's numerous sporting activities. She heightened everyone's awareness about cancer through her multiple fundraising efforts amongst friends and family. Bieni enjoyed many activities to include horseback riding, hula, soccer, family hikes and time with friends and family. Her personality was uplifting to all around her. She truly exuded a gracious, selfless and bubbly personality that many have come to love. She leaves a lasting impression on all of those who knew her. She will always be remembered.