Santa Clara Magazine

Lawrence Cronin '66 MBA '67, who owned an insurance brokerage in Menlo Park and belonged to the Menlo Circus Club, died May 30. He was the father of Kathleen Cronin ’96.

Gene Joseph Antonides MS '66 died peacefully on May 13, 2012, after a battle with cancer.

Born Oct. 8, 1935 in Pensacola, Fla., he was the son of a naval officer and lived in many places in the country before graduating from high school in Coronado, Calif. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1958. Later, he would complete master's degrees in physics and engineering from the University of Michigan and Santa Clara University.

After college he moved to California to work as an engineer for Lockheed Martin. He met Sally Parker and they married in 1961. They lived in Saratoga, Calif. for 36 years, where they raised their three children. Some of Gene's passions during this time included running, coaching Little League, gardening, and tutoring his kids in math and physics. Gene and Sally moved to Roseville, Calif. in 1999, where Gene volunteered with the Sun City Roseville Foundation and played tournament softball. He was a member of the 2008 national championship softball team for his age group.

Gene is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sally; his three children and their spouses: David Antonides ‘84 (Gaye VanDiggelen), Jill Antonides (Jorge Rodriguez) and Mark Antonides (Emily Han); five grandchildren; twin brother Gary; sister Mary; and brother Bruce.

Edwin S. Schaller Jr. MBA ’66 was born on Jan. 16, 1929 and died Sept. 16, 2012. A former resident of Los Gatos, Ed was born in Chicago, Ill., and raised in Burbank, Calif. He attended Burbank High School, where he excelled in sports and served as senior class president. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA and was extremely proud of his membership in the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later attended Santa Clara University, where he earned his MBA. Shortly before graduating from UCLA, Ed was offered a job at Lockheed (following in his father's footsteps); this would become his home for the next 39 years. In 1954, a newly assigned secretary in his division, Diane Topp, caught his eye. They were married a year later in the Santa Barbara Mission chapel on Valentine's Day "so I wouldn't forget our anniversary!" In 1957, Ed was transferred to Sunnyvale and assigned to work on the Polaris Missile Program. He traveled extensively and never would, or maybe never could, talk about the nature of his work. Diane and Ed raised their 3 boys in Los Gatos and for 10 years Ed coached each as they rose through the ranks of the Quito Little League. Ed was also active in YMCA Indian Guides Gray-Y, in which he coached basketball flag football. He loved the outdoors, especially skiing fishing. The Family skied at Dodge Ridge, thawed out at the Mi-Wuk Motor Lodge, then headed off to Kelly's for dinner and a little pinball. Ed and his boys fished together at Yosemite's Saddlebag Lake and, in turn, they taught their own kids how to fish there. In April 2000, Ed and Diane moved to Rocklin, Calif. Diane was diagnosed with cancer in June of that year and passed away in August. Diane was the perfect housewife, but Ed surprised us all by making a home for himself and surviving 12 years without her support. He was active in the Springfield Senior community, especially at the fitness center, until a circulatory condition hampered his mobility. He kept much to himself, living quietly, enjoying daily crosswords puzzles, watching news on CNN and rooting for his beloved San Francisco Giants, UCLA Bruins, and adopted Sacramento Kings. Ed was lovingly cared for by his entire family during his final days, and he passed away peacefully with his son, Todd, by his side. Not surprisingly, his final words were, "Did the Giants win?" They sure did, Dad! Ed is predeceased by his parents, Edwin Spencer Schaller Sr and Ruth Eppinger Schaller, and is survived by his children- Mark (Amy) Schaller, Adam (Tricia) Schaller, Todd (Cherie) Schaller, and grandchildren- Trace, Alexandria, and Spencer, and Nik Robbins; and a sister, Jan Borchers Adams. 

William Richard Eadington ’67, professor of economics at the University of Nevada, Reno and internationally recognized as the foremost authority on the legalization and regulation of commercial gambling, passed away peacefully at his home in Crystal Bay, Nevada on February 11, 2013 at the age of 67 following an eighteen month battle with cancer. Born on January 1, 1946 to the late Elizabeth and Thomas Eadington, William (Bill) grew up in the town of Brea in Orange County, California. He attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, then Santa Clara University where he received a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. On February 3, 1968, at the age of 22, he married Margaret Dean, with whom he had gone to grade school at St. Mary's in Fullerton, California. In 1969, after completing his Ph.D. in Economics from Claremont Graduate School, he and Margaret moved to Reno and he went to work at the University of Nevada, where he spent his entire 43 year career on the faculty of the Economics Department in the College of Business.Over the course of his prolific career, Bill became the leading academic expert in the field of gaming. He founded the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno. He wrote extensively on issues relating to the economic and social impacts of commercial gaming, and served as a consultant and advisor for governments and private sector organizations throughout the world on issues related to gaming laws, casino operations, regulation, legalization and public policy. Bill was a founding member of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism and a former associate editor of the “Annals of Tourism Research and the Journal of Gambling Studies.” He served as the organizer of the University's ongoing triennial International Conferences on Gambling and Risk Taking, which began in 1974, and served as founder and co-moderator of the annual Executive Development Programs for Senior Level Casino Executives since 1991.In 1990, Bill was awarded a Foundation Professorship at the University, and starting in 2004, he held the Philip G. Satre Chair of Gaming Studies at the University. In 2011, he was inducted into the American Gaming Association's Gaming Hall of Fame with a Special Achievement Award for Gaming Education. Bill served as an Academic Visitor to the London School of Economics, as a Visiting Professor at the Center for Addiction Studies, Harvard Medical School, and as a Visiting Lecturer at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He also was on the faculty of the Centre for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Salford (U.K.). In 2008, Bill was awarded a Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa by the University of Macau. In addition to the notable academic and policy contributions Bill made to the field of gaming during his career, he made a larger personal impact on the students, industry and government professionals with whom he taught, worked and came to know personally. Bill is survived by his wife, Margaret Eadington, his son Michael Eadington, his daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Darren Reed, and his three grandchildren, Sophia, Roxanne and Scarlett. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth, his brothers Robert '65 and George '72, J.D. '75, his siblings' spouses, beloved nieces and nephews, and many special friends around the world. Bill brought a unique and wonderful sense of intelligence, humor and insight into the world that he shared with his family and friends. He will be missed dearly by his loved ones.In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe or Tahoe Safe Alliance.

Ross "Butch" Joseph Prusinovski ’67 was a resident of San Leandro. Ross "Butch" Prusinovski passed away peacefully on Nov. 16, 2012, surrounded by family. He was born in Oakland to Louis and Gwendolyn Prusinovski on March 26, 1945. He attended Bishop O'Dowd High School and Santa Clara University. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Gwendolyn Valdovinos. He is survived by his well loved wife, Alana Prusinovski, his sons Thomas and Patrick, and his daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Eric Lardiere. Dear friend and brother to Louis Prusinovski and his wife Renee. Beloved son-in law to Aileen Mathisen, and brother-in-law to Ignacio Valdovinos and Kristin Famosi. Proud and loving uncle to Michelle Valdovinos, Sandy Holland, Steve Valdovinos, and Debbie and John Prusinovski. Fun loving great uncle to Ben, Nick and Alexis Valdovinos and Kyle, Kameron and Cody Chase. He loved and enjoyed countless cousins throughout California and Idaho. Ross served as an Army Captain in Vietnam and returned home to Oakland to work in the family owned business of PH Motors. He has worked at Engine Performance Warehouse in Oakland for over thirty years. Ross loved vacations at the beach with his family, reunions in Idaho, visiting air shows and museums, and most recently walks around Lake Chabot with his friend, John Milton. He was happy and kind and always open to making a new friend. He will be in our hearts forever. 

Richard E. Byrne ’67, of Massapequa N.Y., died on June 25, 2012. Retired from Sperry as an electrical engineer. Beloved son of the late Albert and Lillian Byrne. Survived by his loving family and friends. 

Benjamin Daniel Laubacher III ’67, age 66, of Springfield, Va., died on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Invoa Fairfax Hospital. Beloved husband of Maureen Laubacher ’67; loving father of Benjamin D. Laubacher IV (Rai), Christopher Laubacher (Eileen) and Patrick Laubacher (Stacey); devoted grandfather of Benjamin V, Kaitlyn, Brandon, Natalie, Joanna, Michael, Lindsey, Caroline, Matthew and Nicholas. Benjamin is also survived by his siblings, David Laubacher, Ann Watts (Dick), George Laubacher (Carol), Greg Laubacher (Joanne) and Pam Swigert (Steve). Benjamin is preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Laubacher.  

Allen Frank DeNegri MBA ’67 passed away on March 13, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Robin, and his children, Deb (Nyberg) and Dean DeNegri.

Thomas R. Johnston ’68 was 66 years old.  3/30/1946 to 5/23/2012.

John Vincent M.A. ’68, who served as principal of Ladera School from 1968 to 1978 and vice principal of La Entrada School for many years, died July 18. He was 84.

Jerry Franklin Kirk M.S. ’68, 80, a resident of Santa Clara, entered into rest on Aug. 4, 2012, at the Terraces of Los Gatos, a skilled nursing facility, after fighting a battle with cancer. Jerry was born in Salisbury, N.C., to Arnold Burtis Clay Kirk and Virley (Maxwell) Kirk on April 13, 1932.

He was preceded in death by his parents, ABC and Virley (Maxwell) Kirk; and his brothers and sisters, John Clay (Catherine), Dorothy Eamich (Richard), Raymond (Lois), Arnold Jr (Ettamae), Mildred Shortall (William), Evelyn Jean Kirk-Ramsey (Jack) and Margaret Larabee (Leo). He is survived by his sister, Nina Jo Kirk-Scoggins (William) of Lexington, N.C.; three sons, Steven Arnold, Kevan Scot and Jody Kenneth; and five grandchildren.

Jerry graduated from Boyden High School in Salisbury Class of 1950. He served as a radar engineer in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. After his military service, Jerry attended the University of Maryland and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Jerry married Betty Jo Gregg in San Diego, Calif. He spent most of his career at, and retired from, Lockheed-Martin in Sunnyvale, Calif. He worked primarily on the now declassified reconnaissance satellite programs "Gambit" and "Hexagon." Since the programs became declassified, Jerry was able to share the details of his involvement in the programs and was extremely proud of his contribution to the programs success.

Jerry continued his education while raising a family and working for Lockheed-Martin and obtained a Masters in Engineering from Santa Clara University. While Jerry was growing up, the family owned a horse at the Milford Hills residence outside of Salisbury, N.C. Through his childhood experiences, Jerry developed a life-long passion for horses and horse racing. Once asked what made him smile, his response was, "Picking a horse race winner!"

Fred "Freddie" Domino ’61, J.D. ’68 was born in Chicago in 1939 and passed away on Jan. 2, 2013, in Morgan Hill. He was a lawyer. His parents were Sylvester "Jack" Domino and Ann Domino. His sister was Kathy Domino. He is survived by wife Ruby Domino of Morgan Hill, daughter Dawn Domino of Morgan Hill, niece Trista (Domino) Zwemke of Palm Springs, and nephews David Domino of San Jose and Thomas Angelo Smith of San Francisco. He loved golfing and taking trips to Italy.

Richard J. Conner ’69 was born April 2, 1947 and died Nov. 11, 2012. He was a resident of San Ramon. A fighter to the end, Rich finallly ran out of credits at the video poker machine of life and succumbed to glioblastoma after a fierce battle with the disease. Predeceased by his father Glease Conner in 1982 and his mother Euphrasia (Lillie) by only seven days, he is survived by his daughter Shannon (Tom), brother Bill (Joan), Fiance Cynthia, nephew Michael and niece Elizabeth Walker. Rich was born and raised in San Rafael and grew up in the house his father was born in, back in 1912. He had a love for fishing, gambling, music and his all time favorite, his work-outs at Club Sport of San Ramon. Rich was a graduate of Marin Catholic High School in 1965 and Santa Clara University in 1969. His first job was selling photocopiers for IBM, where he made a name for himself and was soon hired by Ethicon. The last 25 years of his life he worked for Hill-Rom, earning several prestigious awards and superior sales achievements. A well kept secret, Rich was an accomplished ballroom dancer and he and Cynthia spent many nights at Top of the Mark in San Francisco dancing the night away. He will be deeply missed by those he mentored and loved, both professionally and personally.

Joseph "Joe" F. Ercoli ’69—an unforgettable firecracker—began lighting up the halls of Heaven on the morning of October 3, 2012. A proud and passionate Italian-American, the always lively and colorful Joe was born in San Francisco on May 18, 1947 to Joseph and Patricia Ercoli. Growing up in South San Francisco, Joe was educated at All Souls Elementary, Serra High School, and Santa Clara University. Distinguishing himself as a civil engineer, as a South City restaurateur, and as a long time salesman, Joe toiled his entire life with a tirelessness and tenacity that was as impressive as it was unmatched. A lover of horses, political discussions, and the Dollar Store, Joe's most fiercely cherished treasure was the beloved family that survives and celebrates him: his devoted bride of forty-three years, Christine, and his dear, precious children, Alexis and Joseph. We shall not see his like again, but the world is richer for his having passed this way. He was the brother-in-law of David Ferrari ’61, J.D. ’64.

Harry Ellis MBA ’69 received his healed body in heaven on Aug. 28, 2012, after losing his three-year battle to fully recover from illness.

Harry was born in New Haven, Conn., on Dec. 2, 1938. After graduating from Providence College, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. While stationed at Fort Ord, he decided to stay in California where “there was no snow.”

He worked in Oakland for Kaiser, Sand and Gravel Division, for 10 years, and completed his MBA at Santa Clara University, and then began his long career in the wine industry in Bakersfield. In 1976, he moved to Napa where he worked for Beringer Winery, Franciscan Winery and ended his career as CFO at Geyser Peak Winery, retiring in 2000.

At Beringer, he first met Elaine, his best friend and wife of 34 years. His interests included history, classical and “old-time” country music, golf and hockey. One goal he completed was to visit every state in the union. In 2003, he and Elaine joined the international Christian organization, Operation Mobilization, as regional development associates. They traveled extensively for OM, visiting overseas ministries to the poor and oppressed, then returning home to relate stories to donors who shared their passion to bring freedom and hope.

In addition to his wife, Elaine, Harry is survived by his brother Frank Ellis of Notre Dame, Ind.; his sister in-law, Judy Ellis, of North Haven, Conn.; and nieces and nephews on both east and west coasts. He was recently predeceased by his brother, David Ellis. Both family and friends will miss Harry’s gifts of encouraging others and his ability to see the humor in all things.