Santa Clara Magazine

William E. Daniels ’50, resident of Sunnyvale, passed away on July 3, 2012, in Mountain View. He was born in Chicago, Illinois in July of 1926 to Frank and Ottilie Daniels. His family moved west during the Depression and settled in San Francisco in 1938. He enlisted in the Army in 1946, serving in Korea in the postwar occupation army until 1948. Upon his return to the United States, Bill resumed his studies at Santa Clara University and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1950. He met and married his wife Violetta in San Francisco in 1954. The marriage lasted 58 years until his death. His legacy includes a daughter, four sons (including Peter ’81 and John ’85), and ten grandchildren. Bill was an active member of the Church of the Resurrection. He served as a volunteer for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, participated in the Men's Faith Sharing Group, and served with the Building and Grounds Committee. He will be missed.

Robert "Bob" DeLano ’50 was born and raised in San Francisco, a 3rd generation San Franciscan. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps after high school and served from 1943-46. He graduated from Santa Clara University in 1951 and then entered his family's business, DeLano Bros., founded in 1884. He married Carmen Anne and the couple settled in Millbrae in 1965 with their three children. He continued in the family business until 2005. He enjoyed traveling, attending Cal football games and listening to John Madden on the radio. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carmen Anne DeLano, daughter Anne DeLano, sons Joseph and Douglas DeLano, grandsons Matthew and Kevin DeLano. He will be remembered as a loyal friend and a generous man with a warm sense of humor, a good heart and a gentle soul. He passed away on Jan. 9, 2013.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hanna Boys Center, P.O. Box 100, Sonoma, CA 95476-9989. 

John Francis Ennis ’50, of Redding, Calif., passed away at home on December 4, 2012 due to natural causes. Known as Jack, he was born December 17, 1919 in San Jose, Calif. to John and Fannie (McClintock) Ennis, and grew up with them on their ranch near Cedarville, in Modoc County, Calif. He graduated from Surprise Valley High School at the age of 16, worked for the United States Postal Service and Bank of America, and earned his airplane pilot's license before enlisting in the US Navy in 1941. He served as a radio operator onboard the USS President Adams in the South Pacific during World War II, including the Battle of Guadalcanal. After the war, he earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Santa Clara and returned to Modoc County and Cedarville. In 1952, he met and married Angela Cooke of San Francisco, Calif., and they eventually moved to Redding to raise their family. Jack made his career with the California Division of Highways (now Caltrans), coordinating road design with local cities and counties, ultimately landing his dream job as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, and retiring in 1981. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, he was active at St. Joseph Catholic Church and served the parish in many capacities. He was also active in the greater community; as a Boy Scout scoutmaster, as a youth baseball coach, and as a volunteer at the food bank. An accomplished public speaker and humorist, he was a member of the local chapter of Toastmasters International. He was a long-time member and volunteer with both the Whiskeytown Sailing Club and the Shasta Wheelmen bicycle club, continuing to ride his bike beyond the age of 90, and serving as a volunteer after that time. He was preceded in death by Angela, his wife of 60 years, and earlier by his sisters Mrs. Emma Fogalsang of Colusa, Calif. and Mrs. Carmen Schlatter of Wyckoff, N.J. He is survived by his son Tim Ennis and daughter-in-law Kathy Brock of Portland, Ore.; son Tom Ennis, daughter-in-law Donna Ennis and granddaughters Meredith Ennis and Colleen Ennis of Carmichael, Calif.; son Chris Ennis and daughter-in-law Lisa Ennis of San Francisco, Calif.; and son Ted Ennis, daughter-in-law Nancy Steel and granddaughter Alyson Ennis of Placerville, Calif. 

John "Jack" M. O’Keeffe ’50, Nov. 6, 2012. Born February 18, 1927 to John M. Sr. and Lou O'Keeffe in Stockton, Calif. Loving husband to Audrey Jean O'Keeffe who preceded Jack in death this year. Adoring father of John M. "Spike" O'Keeffe III (Joan), Cynthia Nelson, Carolyn Chvosta (Bill), Rebecca England (Jack), Clark O'Keeffe (Elise) and Patricia See (Dave). Proud grandfather of Bryan and Chris Nelson, Kelly Bassett and Megan O'Keeffe, Jennifer Teresinski and Emily Moses, Malissa Crowder, Carly and Molly O'Keeffe, Joe and Drew See. Eleven adored great grandchildren with three more on the way! Survived by his brother David O'Keeffe ’53 and his wife Janelle of Colorado Springs. Uncle and In-law to many whom he loved dearly.

Jack grew up in San Jose, Calif., across from the Rose Garden. He graduated from Bellarmine High School and Santa Clara University. During both of these experiences, and with his father's guidance, he was a devout Roman Catholic. It was a devotion that he took seriously every day of his life. Following his graduation from Santa Clara University in 1950, (after a stint in the Maritime Service at the end of World War II), he began a lifelong love for the SCU athletic program. The first song his children learned growing up was the Santa Clara fight song and many family events, even weddings, were culminated with a rendition of "All Hail to SCU!" He attended the 1950 SCU Orange Bowl victory and could sing the “SCU Fight Song” up until his death.

While attending SCU he met Audrey Jean Alexander at a dance with Dominican College. Years later he swore the first time he saw her she had a bright light and a halo over her head. They were married in 1950. That same year he went to work for IBM and his first promotion was as branch manager in Richmond, Calif. In 1963 he became a key account manager at the Oakland IBM branch. At this time he moved his family to Lafayette, Calif., and his Crofton Court home became the center of activity for his children, their friends, nieces and nephews. Special times were spent in the family Lake Tahoe home that he helped build. 

As his children were growing up he volunteered at the St. Paul's Parents Club, Kiwanis Club, The Salvation Army and Knights of Columbus and coached both basketball and baseball. He attended nearly every game, recital, and horseshow that his children participated in. He encouraged this development and was eager to learn of their experiences.

In the Maritime Service he developed a love of ships and the sea. In 1983 and after his retirement from IBM, he and Audrey built the home of their dreams in Bethel Island. He was able to fulfill his love of the sea owning many boats and enjoying all the adventures a boat on the Delta waters could offer. Three of his daughters owned floating homes on his marina property. Every summer brought celebrations and his grandchildren spent cherished time in and around the water and at their home. 

In retirement, he sold real estate for Boyd Realty in Bethel Island, volunteered with Audrey at the Bethel Island Lions Club, belonged to the Bethel Island Chamber of Commerce, the San Joaquin Yacht Club and St. Anthony's Church in Oakley . He announced the "Frozen Bun Run" on New Year's Day for many years. In 1977 he started a golf tournament with two of his son-in-laws. For Jack this was a life changing event. The "Little Crosby", named for many years the JOK and eventually the JO'KN Golf Tournament, benefited many worthy causes including Bethel Island Jr. Golf, Scout Hall, St. Anne's Catholic Church in Rossmoor and eventually Stand Up 2 Cancer. He spent months planning the tournament and his family used the event as a vehicle for yearly reunions with their friends. Every family member was involved in the tournament, either playing in it or planning the events of the day. As a Real Estate agent he invited many clients and potential clients. The tournament dinner and awards party was held at Jack and Audrey's Bethel Island home. He and Audrey were gracious hosts and he ended each tournament, "Hope you had a good time, see you next year." 

So we say "goodbye" to Jack O'Keeffe, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Father-in-Law, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. We are comforted to know he is now reunited with his wife Audrey. She is introducing him to all heaven has to offer and next time you see hail the size of golf balls know that is a sign that a JO'KN foursome has teed off at Heavenly Fairways. Invitations are pending, heaven sent.