Dec. 11, 1924-May 11, 2018

Buckner-Coe

The Reverend Buckner Coe of Lake Forest and Laguna Beach passed away peacefully May 11, 2018, surrounded by his beloved wife, Judy, and members of his family. He was 93.
Buckner (Buck) Coe was a sixth generation minister. A graduate of Yale University and the Yale Divinity School, he served as a pastor for churches in Ohio, Connecticut, Illinois, Claremont, Calif., and Ohio. He served as an interim minister in Scarsdale, N.Y. In retirement he was a guest preacher at the Neighborhood Congregational Church of Laguna Beach.  He first moved to Laguna Beach in 1985.
As a pastor he was outspoken on peace and social justice, believing the church had a leadership responsibility on these issues to the communities they served and to society-at-large.  He marched with Martin Luther King in Selma in 1965, led a fair housing campaign in Chicago’s North Shore suburbs in the 1960s, and anti-Vietnam War campaigns in both the Chicago area and Claremont, Calif.  His last job before retirement was working for the National Farm Worker Ministry in Los Angeles on behalf of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union’s efforts to improve wages and working conditions for farm workers. He continued his active engagement in politics and social issues in his retirement.

Throughout his life, the Rev. Coe engaged in a scholarly pursuit of the work of H. Richard Niebuhr, a Protestant theologian and Christian ethicist.

Buck “re-charged” by spending summers on Martha’s Vineyard, creating lifetime memories for his family.  He was an ardent sports fan—always ready to cheer on his Dodgers and Lakers.  He loved movies, the Kingston Trio, and comedians Bob and Ray.  Games of Scrabble with Judy were a daily occurrence.  He loved to read, and was always up for a good discussion.  And, he loved his grandchildren.

While he touched many lives, it is his family—and those closest to him—who were, perhaps, inspired the most by his strong moral compass and his willingness to remain true to what was most important.

Buckner Coe is survived by his wife of 23 years, Judith Polich Coe, whose love and care for him had no bounds.  He is also survived by his sister, the Rev. Ansley Coe Throckmorton; his children Andy (Liz), the Rev. Karen Chalmers Coe, Jonathan, (Julie), Sara; and two grandsons, Ryan Coe and Jackson Buckner Coe.  He was pre-deceased by his wife, Kathryn Dowley Coe, and his brother, the Rev. Chalmers Coe.
A service to celebrate Buckner Coe’s life will be held on Saturday, June 16, at 11 a.m. at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Dr., Laguna Beach. A reception will take place after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to JOY!, the social justice outreach work of NCC.  Contributions can be made out to Neighborhood Congregational Church referencing “JOY! Outreach-Coe” and sent to the address above.  For further information call the church at 949-494-8061.

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Virginia Anne Wood passed away Saturday, May 26, with loved ones by her side.  Anne, a Laguna Beach resident since 1965, was recently in the care of the amazing staff at Arbor View 2 in Mission Viejo due to Alzheimer’s.

Anne Wood

Anne was born to Burris and Margaret Wood June 8, 1932, in Sacramento. She was preceded in death by both her parents and her only sibling, James “Woody” Burris Wood.

Anne graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School in 1950 and then received her Bachelor of Arts from Chapman College (now Chapman University) in 1954.  She later returned to Chapman and received her master’s degree in 1972.  In 1954 she commenced a 39-year love affair with teaching beginning with Bret Harte Elementary in Sacramento, and then Santa Fe Elementary in Oakland.  Thereafter she spent six years teaching with the Army Overseas Schools first in Metz, France, and then in Berlin, Germany.  She arrived in Europe shortly after the Berlin Wall was erected, was held hostage by Russians on board a duty train, and joined the Berlin International Theater Group.

Anne loved the overseas experience and built many life-long friendships.  She never missed an opportunity to travel, be it simply to her beloved cabin at the Russian River, or to see close friends throughout the world. Anne returned to California in 1965 and began teaching for the Anaheim Elementary School District before being transferred to Brookhurst Jr. High School where she taught reading and drama along with “other duties as assigned” until her retirement in 1993.

She also enjoyed working with the Laguna Playhouse theater in Laguna Beach doing some acting but preferred being behind the scenes as stage manager, pushing sets, calling cues, etc. After retirement, Anne added the title “volunteer” to her cap with numerous groups in Laguna Beach, including The Woman’s Club (2012’s “Woman of the Year”), Chamber of Commerce, Laguna Club for Kids, Friendship Shelter, Laguna Beach Resource and Relief, Patriot’s Day Parade Committee, to name a few.

In 2005 the Laguna Beach Exchange Club honored her with inclusion in their “Book of Golden Deeds.” She had maintained her membership with Primrose Chapter No. 385, of the Order of the Eastern Star (of Sacramento) since the early 1950s. Anne was a long time member of Chapman University’s Town & Gown.  She was very proud of their fundraising mission and dearly loved their social events. Anne cherished all these friendships. The Neighborhood Congregational Church (NCC) was also very dear to her.  She tirelessly volunteered for a variety of duties and committees since joining the congregation in 1972.

A celebration of life, and what a full life it was, will be held at NCC on Saturday, June 23, 340 St. Ann’s Dr., Laguna Beach, at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chapman University for the Town & Gown Endowed Scholarship atwww.chapman.edu/tg or to a charity dear to you.

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A paddle out in honor of Richard C. Carlson, a Laguna Beach resident who died this past week, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23.

An 11 a.m. service is planned the same day at Little Church by the Sea, 468 Legion St., in Laguna Beach.

Look for a full obituary in the Friday, June 22, edition.

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Greg Slevcove

Greg Slevcove took his last breath and joined his father and grandparents late in the evening on June 9. Although Greg did not live a long life, he lived a full life in the short time he was here.

Greg moved to Laguna in 1990 and was quite involved in community issues. He spent many hours at planning commission and city council meetings fighting for the quality of life issues affecting Woods Cove residents.  He was an integral part of the permit parking program that was finally instituted during the nighttime hours in the neighborhood.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to join Greg on an adventure will tell you he was a spontaneous planner who knew how to have fun.  He was an extrovert who loved sports, music, running, waterskiing, volleyball, snorkeling, the arts, the beach and cooking.  He was a loyal friend.  He had strong ties with friends from childhood, sports, college and employment.

Greg was generous with his time and talent.  His greatest passion was the Children’s Foundation, where he worked as an advocate for unwanted, exploited, and neglected children.  He gave these children unconditional love and transformed lives.  One of those children (now an adult) describes Greg as a good friend, brother, father, guide, provider, mentor and a good human being.

Greg leaves behind his mother Barbra, his sister Denise, brother-in-law Bernie, nieces Allison and Christina and nephew Nick, plus many aunts and uncles and cousins.

The family asks that in lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider donations to The Children’s Foundation (The Casa Hogar Orphanage in Manzanillo, Mexico) www.TCFcares.org.

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Richard Carlson

A paddle out in honor of Richard C. Carlson, a Laguna Beach resident who died this past week, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23.

An 11 a.m. service is planned the same day at Little Church by the Sea, 468 Legion St., in Laguna Beach.

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Kim Harley

Kim Harley passed away peacefully on June 2, 2018,  in his Laguna Beach home.

A 42-year long resident of Laguna Beach, Kim was known for his love of the outdoors, but even more so for his love of fishing. Being out on the water was his favorite place to be, however, it did not stop there.

Kim’s passions included cooking, and sharing his catch with his neighbors and many friends.

Kim’s salty sense of humor never hid the love he had for his community. Playing in John Ditto’s pool tournament, deer hunting in Virginia, dove hunting in Yuma, and the annual Labor Day Pig party on Catalina Street are among the many memories that Kim often shared with those he loved.

Kim leaves behind his “LOML” of 20 years, Diana Long, and his two sisters, Jill Watkins of Laguna Beach and Jan Vierra of Costa Mesa.   Kim loved his community very much, and as a neighbor said, “Mountain Road will never be the same again.”

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Skip Conover

Skip Conover, who never missed a performance during 17 years narrating the summer-long Pageant of the Masters production, died Friday, June 15.

Seated in his soundproof booth at the back of the Irvine Bowl every night, he reveled in entertaining his audiences with stories of artists’ lives.

Conover, who was born Hugh Distelhurst, already amassed many professional credits as a musician and voiceover artist before getting the nod to take over as Pageant narrator in 1994.

He succeeded Thurl Ravenscroft, who had been the “voice of the Pageant” for 20 years and a well-known voice-over artist.

Of his predecessor, Conover often said, humbly, “Thurl is my hero.”

Director Diane Challis Davy, who became Pageant director in 1995, remembered Conover with fondness, especially his sense of humor and work ethic.

“One of his favorite expressions,” she recalled, was illegitimi non carborundum, a fake Latin phrase that he roughly translated as ‘Don’t let the bastards get you down’.”

Challis Davy also acknowledged, “Like Thurl, Skip loved the job, and hated to give it up.”

Ironically, both Ravenscroft and Conover ultimately chose to retire when knee pain made the climb to the booth at the back of the Irvine Bowl impossible.

“ Skip brought a contemporary and conversational approach to the material that drew you in,” said scriptwriter Dan Duling. “And his years as a musician paid dividends as well. Where some narrators lead and expect the orchestra to follow them, Skip had a gift for picking up the rhythm of the music and marrying his narration to its tempos.”

For 17 seasons, Conover not only showed up to do his job as Pageant narrator, but remained a devoted friend and loyal ally who enjoyed a good joke and absolutely loved a bad one.

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Robert Tyler passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 23, 2018, in Laguna Beach at the age of 92.

Robert Tyler Faia

Bob served in the Navy during World War II.  He was married to Eleanore Catherine “Kay” Hines from 1952 until her death 1997. Bob and Kay raised their three children in the home he designed in Tarzana. Bob married Beverly Duke in 2004 and they moved to Laguna Beach in 2008.

He graduated from USC and was director of design for the Los Angeles architectural firm Welton Beckett and Associates where he was responsible for the design of such notable buildings as The Contemporary Resort Hotel at Disney World and the Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA.  He was dearly loved and will always be in our hearts.

Bob is survived by his three children, Linda Pfeifer of Camarillo, Karen Arroyo of North Hills and Bob Tyler of Laguna Beach in addition to five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

A private burial will be held at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Laguna Beach on Saturday, July 28. Please email BobTylerCelebration@gmail.com for more details.

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Chyrle La Vonne Vermilya

Chyrle Vermilya passed away peacefully June 13, 2018, after a short battle with late-stage melanoma (skin cancer) with her husband Jim and sons David and Tim by her side.

Chyrle lived everyday by the motto on her favorite colorful t-shirts, “Life is Good.” With a beaming smile and youthful energy, she made all around her feel special and loved.
For a young girl who grew up riding horses in Lake Elsinore, she fell in love with life on the coast by age 20. This is where she met, married and started a family with the love of her life, Jim Vermilya. They loved to travel, exploring cultures and faraway places and continued these adventures with their young sons. As a family they climbed the pyramids of the Yucatan, spent hours on empty warm beaches in Hawaii and Mexico and skied all over California and Utah with friends. Chyrle spent many hours watching and photographing her “boys” surfing at home and around the world. The Vermilya family adventures continued with traveling and time well spent with her grandchildren.

An academic student with an early career in aerospace as an executive assistant at McDonnell Douglas in the space program, Chyrle loved to work. While she held other interesting administrative and business positions over the years, her recent bookkeeping role working with her boys was her most cherished.

Chyrle was ever present on her favorite beach, Three Arch Bay, on the tennis courts and her beloved exercise classes. She never slowed down, making lifetime friendships and involved in her community to the end. She does not leave this world wanting for more. She laughed, lived, and loved life the way she desired, always surrounded by family and friends, always giving more than she asked.

Her beach chair may be empty in person, but her presence and lasting impression will glow like the beautiful nightly sunsets she enjoyed.
To know her was a gift…

Chyrle leaves behind her loving husband David “Jim” Vermilya of 54 years and her proudest accomplishments, her devoted sons, David and Tim Vermilya, their beautiful wives and four adoring grandchildren, Matthew, James, Olivia, and Nathan Vermilya.

A celebration of life will be this Saturday, July 14, from 3-5 p.m. at the the Three Arch Bay Clubhouse.

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April 28, 1929 – July 26, 2018

Marjorie Sawyer

Marjorie Joan (Birck) Sawyer, 89, longtime resident of Laguna Beach, passed away July 26, 2018 in Vancouver, Washington.

She was born April 28, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Long Island, receiving a bachelor’s degree in education from the State University of New York, New Paltz.

In 1950, she married Frederick George Sawyer and moved to California where they raised their two daughters.

Marjorie was an extraordinary cloisonné jeweler whose work appears in private collections throughout the country and in several magazines featuring the art of enameling. She taught at the Pasadena Art Museum, Sierra Madre Creative Arts Group, and the Laguna College of Art and Design.

She was also an accomplished ceramicist, exhibiting both mediums at the Laguna Festival of the Arts for over 20 years.

She is survived by her partner, Walter Reiss of Laguna Beach; daughters Kathi Sawyer of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Pam Wilkins of Vancouver, Washington; grandson Ryan Spurlock of Escondido, California and three great-grandchildren.

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July 13, 1946 – July 16, 2018

Susan Pons

Susan Lyons Pons, known to friends as “Laguna Sue”, passed away on July 16, 2018 at the age of 72. She was born in Long Beach, California on July 13, 1946 to parents, Jack and Theora Lyons. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she was an active member of the Chi Omega sorority. Sue moved to Laguna Beach in 2000, where she was active in the community participating in and supporting local charity events always sharing her joy for life with all she encountered. She was loved by all whose lives she touched. Sue will be missed and forever remembered by her father (Jack Lyons), sister (Lynn Powers), niece (Jacki Abraham), son (Shawn Pons), daughter-in-law (Sabina Pons) and her two grandchildren (Sawyer and Savannah Pons).

“Laguna Sue” loved Laguna Beach and supported many of the local artists at the Sawdust Festival, Festival of the Arts, and Laguna Art-A-Fair. She frequented other local artist galleries during the monthly Laguna Beach Art Walks. Art was a huge passion for Sue and many of these local artists were part of her second family. As such, memorial donations can be made in the memory of Susan Pons to the Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund by calling 949-497-0521.

The family will hold a private service to celebrate Sue’s life and memory. 

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Rolf Julius Engen- 

Aug. 5, 1929- July 31, 2018

Rolf Engen

Rolf Engen passed away peacefully at his home in Laguna Beach, surrounded by his loving family. He was five days short of his 89th birthday.

Rolf was raised in Santa Ana, California, and was a life-long athlete, playing basketball and then becoming a champion volleyball player. He was recruited by John Wooden to play basketball at UCLA but following an injury, switched to volleyball. He became a member of UCLA’s first men’s volleyball team, won two National Collegiate Championships and was twice selected first-team All-American. After college, he was a nine-time USA Volleyball National Open Champion, 10-time All-American and 1960 USA Volleyball’s Most Valuable Player. Rolf played on the US National Team, winning a gold medal at the 1955 and 1959 Pan-Am games and World Games in 1960 and capturing the National Open Gold in 1964. Rolf’s accolades include the 1968 USA Volleyball’s All-Time Great Player Award, induction into Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1991 and into Southern California Indoor Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Wanting to give back to the sport, Rolf turned his abilities to the field of coaching. He coached the Laguna Beach High School boys team, leading them to two state championships, and formed the Laguna Beach Volleyball Club and led the team to three gold medals and two silvers at the Junior Olympics from 1975 to 1979. The Laguna Beach Volleyball Club became a model program for youth development and set the standard for future clubs. He also served as Commissioner of Volleyball at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Rolf was an avid tennis player, calling it “the sport of a lifetime” and continued to play through his 88th year.

In business,Rolf was respected and revered by his community. Of his many business ventures, Rolf’s Wine & Spirits was his greatest passion, opening his first store in Tustin in 1953 and several more in Orange County. Rolf’s Wine & Spirits were “game-changer” stores, offering wine education and events, tastings, custom gift packs, exclusive imported wines and private labels, all before their time. Traveling to Europe in the 1960s, he was one of the first to import French, German and Italian wines to the OC marketplace. As a wine industry visionary, Rolf became the southern California face of wine for six decades and mentored thousands of wine novices, as well as those more experienced.

Beyond his own accomplishments, Rolf will be remembered for his mentoring abilities, as he inspired hundreds of young athletes and businessmen to become the best they could be. Rolf’s life was characterized by an insatiable work ethic, big dreams and a love of people. He was an inspiration to those around him and his leadership and motivation will forever live on in the lives of those he so profoundly touched.

Rolf’s warm personality and kindness shaped his role as husband, father and grandfather. He and Carol, his wife and love of 51 years, were introduced by close friends and their friendship remains to this day. Rolf and Carol shared a love of travel and ventured to many places world-wide. If Rolf could tell you anything, it would be to love your family, maintain your health, dedicate yourself to helping others succeed and most of all “to enjoy the journey.”

Rolf is survived by Carol and his children: Hollie Ragland (Greg), Kip Engen (Sherry) and David Engen (Shauna); his grandchildren: Dylan and Dustin Ragland, Jackson and Thane Engen and daughter-in-law, Glynnis Engen. He is preceded in death by his children, Matthew Engen and Janalea Engen.

To share in a tribute to Rolf, view a video of his life at www.mccormickandson.com/obituaries/Rolf-Engen/.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road or to the charity of your choice.

A Note from Frank Aronoff, Indy Sports Reporter:
The above obit was submitted by the family to honor Rolf. It is no secret to those involved in boys volleyball at Laguna Beach High School that the long, successful tradition of the program goes back to the first CIF playoff in 1974 and Rolf Engen. Back in the 70s, rules prevented a walk-on coach, so math teacher Mike Duncan was listed as the head coach, but in reality, it was Rolf, a former teacher, who trained the players and provided the game day strategy.

In 1975, he started a club program and that effort laid the foundation for Laguna to capture five CIF D-1 titles and have a remarkable 166-20 best-of-five set match record over the 10-year period from 1974 through 1983. His legacy continues, as Laguna has been the only high school team to have participated in every one of the 45 playoffs. Rolf last attended a Laguna match in 2017 and was recognized at the game.

Today, this same type of community commitment can be seen in the girls water polo program; our community youth are the lucky beneficiaries.

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Feb 28, 1972 – July 29, 2018

The world dimmed, and the stars became much brighter, as John Christian Watson passed away in Laguna Beach, California, on July 29.

Born outside of Rochester, New York, John called many places home throughout his 46 years—raised in Southern California, moved to Austin, Texas, after graduating from Irvine High School, and then all the way to Costa Rica where he embraced the “pura vida,” a way of life that he naturally embodied. His next adventure was Vail, Colorado, where he became a true mountain man and turned his love of surfing and the ocean into snowboarding and conquering the peaks. John eventually settled in Laguna Beach and quickly became everyone’s favorite bartender, capturing the hearts of all who met him with his infectious smile and ocean blue eyes.

His little beach cottage on Cress Street was a familiar place to all in Laguna Beach, locals and visitors alike. John’s home was a place of joy where strangers became friends, and gathered to laugh, dance, sing, and indulge in spontaneous drum circles where he proved that you do not need to be a professionally trained percussionist to shred on the bongos. A gathering at “Club Watson” wasn’t complete without having cocktails and a wonderful culinary creation he would whip up on the spur of the moment, while sharing legendary tales of his many adventures around the world. His passions included surfing, swimming in the ocean, snowboarding, soccer, Angels baseball, exploring backroads in one of his many VW camper buses and following the Grateful Dead across the country.

Witty, spirited, kind, playful, unapologetically direct and devastatingly handsome (fact, not opinion), John was impossible not to love. Fiercely loyal, he relished every opportunity to help a friend, setting a new gold standard for “ride or die.” His soul radiated love and compassion. He was happiest when those he cared for were blissfully living in the moment—something we all learned from watching him. He lived like he surfed, riding every wave with abandoned passion.

John is survived by his father, brothers, sister-in-law, nephew, niece and extended family, as well as countless loved ones whose lives are richer for having known him. As he often said, there was nothing a bad day of surfing wouldn’t cure. The ocean was his remedy for everything.

In celebration of his life, a paddle out is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29, at Brooks Street Beach in Laguna Beach (please see further information updated on his Facebook page).

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By Allison Jarrell | LB Indy

Laguna Beach is mourning the loss of Chip Harrell, who was the longtime owner of The Sandpiper Lounge with his brother, Chuck.

Harrell’s uncle opened the Sandpiper in 1942, known affectionately by locals as the Dirty Bird, and owned it for about 12 years. The Sandpiper was sold and changed hands four times before Chip and Chuck purchased the establishment in 1969. The brothers had just come home from serving in the military that year and were encouraged by their mother to “try the bar business.”

Harrell passed away Sept. 4, according to The Sandpiper’s online statement:

The Laguna Beach Independent will publish a tribute to Harrell’s life in the Sept. 14 print and online editions.

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Loraine Estelle Hollingsworth

Loraine Estelle Hollingsworth, 82, also known as Cherokee, passed away peacefully in her canyon home of 70 years surrounded by her loving family.

Loraine is survived by her two children, John William Verdugo and Andrea Estelle Verdugo; her son-in-law, Timothy Kane O’Neil; her three grandchildren, John Isidro Verdugo, Estelle Leann Verdugo and Marielena Theresa Verdugo; and her cousin, Steve Harold Martin.

Loraine was born to William John West and Maude Estelle West in Inglewood and moved to Laguna Beach in 1942 to Cypress Street, and moved again in 1949 to her home on Sun Valley Drive in Laguna Canyon. She registered herself at the age of 7 to the only grammar school in Laguna Beach on Park Avenue and continued her schooling until graduating from Laguna Beach High School in 1954.

As a young woman, Loraine earned money boarding horses and turned managing the horse ranch, Rancho Sol Vado, into a full-time career. She taught many Laguna locals how to ride and care for horses. Loraine worked many odd jobs such as selling buffalo burgers on a Buffalo Ranch, driving school buses full of children searching for hub-caps for fun, working the grounds at Sawdust Festival, working at the Assistance League, and volunteering many hours at the Susie Q. Loraine married John Samuel Verdugo in 1956. They had two children and separated soon after.

Loraine lived a vibrant life, full of good friends, a supportive family, and most importantly, lots of love and joy. She loved painting, horseback riding, creating art, gardening, caring for animals, reading, learning, telling stories of old times, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She was frequently seen riding her bicycle down the canyon road and enjoyed playing beach volleyball at Main Beach. In her later years, she learned how to play ukulele at the Susie Q, where she also spent a lot of her time taking art classes and playing bingo with her friends.

Loraine was a big advocate for protecting Laguna Canyon through protesting, writing letters and speaking at public forums. Her love for protecting nature and animals was an important part of her life. Loraine and her home survived all the canyon flooding and fires. A true Laguna local, she was always involved in the community.

Loraine will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor. She was a woman of God, a believer of Jesus Christ, the salt of the earth, radical, spirited, adventurous, sharp, sweet, sassy, fun and wise.

Many thanks to the wonderful work of death doula, Dr. Andrea Deerheart, founder of The Heartway, who helped guide Loraine and her family through her end of life transition; to Pastor Dave; and to all the wonderful hospice workers who took care of Loraine.

All friends of the family are invited to celebrate Loraine’s life on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. on the main deck of Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road. Bring your thoughts, prayers and fondest memories of Loraine to share with all.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations made to: The Heartway Foundation, Susie Q, or a wildlife foundation of the donor’s choice.

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Bernice Muriel Miller-Becker

Bernice Muriel Miller-Becker (nee Street) passed away Aug. 13, 2018 at 1:48 a.m. surrounded by family. Bernice (Bea) was born Oct. 5, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri to Golvin S. Street (1900-1993) of Indiana and Ruby Delta Guilliams (1909-1992) of Missouri. She married Bobby N. Miller in 1947 before moving with her family to Southern California in 1953.The Miller family moved to Laguna Beach in 1963, where Bea worked for many years for the Laguna Beach School District.

In 1979, Bea opened The Coffee Importers and The Chocolate Soldier in the Dana Point Harbor along with her husband, Bob; her son, Jim; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Miller. She was a huge part of the development of the Dana Point Harbor and continued to contribute to the community until her death. After 40 years, Bea could be seen enjoying a cup of coffee under the signature green umbrellas of The Coffee Importers, which is still being run by her son Jim Miller. Bea and Bob Miller were married 44 years until Bob’s death in 1991. In 2000, Bea married Gerry J. Becker, and they were married seven years before he passed away in 2007. Bea lived in San Clemente from 2001 until her death, and was very active in the Talega Gallery community.

She is survived by her sister Jacqueline M. Allen, brother Richard A. Street, sister-in-law Carol Street, children James A. Miller, Jacqueline G. Parker (nee Miller) (nee Williams), and John C. Miller, grandchildren Charlie Williams, R.J Miller, Meredith Miller, and Karina Parker, and great-grandchildren Abigail Williams, Hannah Williams, Charlie (Chase) Williams, Brady Miller, and Brooklyn Miller.

Bea made a lasting impact on everyone she met. She will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Cadasil Together We Have Hope nonprofit organization.

A memorial service is set for Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, at 340 St. Ann’s Drive in Laguna Beach. A reception will immediately follow the service.

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Daniel Day Freeman

Daniel Day Freeman passed away on Aug. 31, 2018 at the age of 75. Born in Los Angeles in 1942, he was drawn to the ocean in his youth and spent 50 years as a resident of Laguna Beach.

He was dearly loved and is survived by his siblings Toni Stuart, Sue Stratton and John Lawrence Freeman; son, Peter; granddaughter, Ariana; and was pre-deceased by his son, John Taylor Freeman.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 28, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach at 11 a.m.

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Peter Godfrey Leibfred

Peter Godfrey Leibfred, 80, a more than 50-year resident of Laguna Beach, died at his home in Laguna Beach on Aug. 26. His nephews, Dale and Keith Poller, were with him as he peacefully took his last breath on earth. A very special and blessed man, Peter was a long-time member of the congregation of St. Catherine’s.

Peter was born in New Rochelle, New York, on Nov. 9, 1937, to William and Marquerite Leibfred. He was a 1956 graduate of Blessed Sacrament High School and was employed by CBS in New York City before entering the U.S. Army. An expert rifleman and missile technician (specifically working on the Redstone family of rockets), he served in the Army from 1961-1967. He settled in Laguna Beach, where he was well-known and loved as a long-time bartender, having worked at local establishments such as Andree’s, The Cellar and Surf n’ Sand. At the time of his death, Peter worked at Coast Hardware.

Although he didn’t have children of his own, he had six nieces and nephews, the children of his older sister, Patty. Peter is survived by his sister, Peg Leibfred, a resident of Connecticut, his nieces and nephews, eight great nieces and nephews, and nine great-great nieces and nephews – soon to be 10. Peter was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Patricia Poller and Roma Leibfred, and his niece, Gina Poller.

God rest your soul, dear Uncle Peter, until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Laguna Beach.

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Robert Lawerence Gamez

On Monday, Aug. 27, Robert Lawerence Gamez passed away at the age of 74.  In his professional life, he had a successful CPA practice in Laguna Beach for 47 years, but his passions were mountain biking, surfing, climbing mountains and woodworking.  Robert was adored by his many friends and family.

He is survived by his first wife, Patricia, their two children: Gregory (Michele) and Janice, two grandchildren Michael and Mariah, brothers- and sisters-in-law, as well as his second wife Vicky. Robert will be remembered as a kind and compassionate member of the community.

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Aug. 18, 1943 – Sept. 14, 2018

Larry Toomey

Larry succumbed to a sudden major heart event. Our beloved friend, brother, and uncle leaves behind his partner Karen Engberg, his brother Michael Toomey (Maryann), his niece Kelly Rodriguez, and his nephew Ian Toomey. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond L. Toomey and Wanda L. Toomey, his sister Patricia Potter, and his brother Timothy Toomey.

Larry lived a rich and colorful life and leaves behind a host of friends who will miss him. Larry grew up surfing the beaches of the South Bay. He was a charter member of the Haggerty’s surf club in Palos Verdes. For a time, Larry worked making sails (Kenny Watts sail loft) and racing sailboats up and down the coast. Later in life, he became an avid paddle board enthusiast and racer. Larry moved to Laguna Beach some 45 years ago and began a career as a swimming pool contractor in South Orange County. For many years he lived in Cabo San Lucas. During those times, he became a specialist in major pool, waterfall and water feature construction, completing numerous acclaimed projects.

There will be a celebration paddle out for Larry on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. at Redondo and Torrance Beach (RAT Beach). A celebration of Larry’s life is being planned afterward at the Chart House restaurant in Redondo Beach. Larry wanted any commemorative donations to be made to either SPCA or Heal the Bay.

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