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Allen Louis Bernes
1934 - 2024
Fairfax, CA

 

Allen Louis (Al) Bernes of Fairfax, California, passed away peacefully at his home on March 5th, 2024. He was 89 years old.  Allen was born in Albany, California on November 19, 1934 to August Louis Bernes and Winnifred  Jean (Mackinnon) Bernes. He attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Longfellow Junior High School and
graduated from Richmond Union High School in 1952. He served in the US Army in 1954 and 1955, went on to
study at the University of Nevada, Reno and then earned a degree in chemistry from San Francisco State University.


He began work as a chemist for various firms during a decades-long career in the chemicals industry. His over 40 years career in the Chemical Industry engaged him in assorted management positions  starting at Dow Chemical Co; General Mills Chemical Div.; Ciba-Geigy;  Carmona Chemical (Dorsett & Jackson); and E. T. Horn Co. .  He retired in 1996.

 

Allen married the love of his life, Peggy Jean Hargrave in December, 1956 and adopted Peggy’s infant daughter,
Lizbeth. He and Peggy then had three more children, all sons. The family lived in the Midwest for 5 years, returning
to California in 1961 and settling in Fairfax in 1963 where Allen and Peggy raised their family and lived together until Peggy passed away in 2007 after 51 years of marriage. Allen and Peggy loved to travel and especially loved the Hawaiian Islands which they visited regularly. They absorbed Island culture and made many rich and lasting relationships. 

 

Next to his dear wife, Peggy, Allen’s life-long love was music. In his youth he learned trumpet, guitar, and banjo and in his later years devoted his talent to the ukulele. He performed with many groups and found immense joy in introducing others to the instrument and in teaching and building community with other musicians and with Hawaiian dancers.

 

He was kind and generous and blessed with many good friends throughout his life and we were incredibly fortunate to have known him. Allen is survived by his brother, Donald Bernard Bernes of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; daughter Lizbeth “Beth” Burrafato; sons Steven, Douglas and Gregory Bernes; granddaughter Gina Morris, great grandsons Riley and Cody DeSilva and great granddaughter Karlie Morris. 

 

A gathering in remembrance and celebration of Al’s life will be held at Deer Park Villa Restaurant in Fairfax on Wednesday, June 5 from 12-4pm. All who knew and loved Al are invited to attend. Casual Hawaiian attire is encouraged.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Hawaiian Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund to assist the victims of the 2023 wildfires.

Ned Kisner

 

It is with great sadness I am announcing the passing of my beloved Husband Ned Kisner, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. I am very sad about our loss, but I know he wanted us to be strong and keep marching on. A lovely ceremony was held down in southern California during which family and friends shared and learned more of his fascinating and full life.
 
As most of you know Ned had such great energy. You may have met him at Triangle or at one of the paint industry’s events. He was a Marine, an engineer, a business owner, a father, a husband, a friend, a collaborator, a movie producer, and even an actor in a movie… plus, obviously, so much more.

The paint industry always held a special place in his heart. Thank you all for your continued support. Triangle will continue to operate with his legacy and strive for excellence.

Ned will always be remembered for his compassionate heart and sense of humor.  God bless you all.  Lan Kisner

Laura Klein

Laura G. Klein (nee Tobias) passed away Friday, April 22, 2022 after a 3 year battle with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 42. Wife of John D. Klein Jr. Mother of Samantha Isabel and Alexander Leo. Daughter of Beverly (the late Jay) Terry and Enrique (Nancyann Marigomen) Tobias. Sister of Matt (Melissa) Tobias. Granddaughter of Alice (the late Leo) Schaefer, the late Juan (the late Hazel) Tobias. Niece of Linda (Mike) Takach, the late Maria (Tom) Leannah, Felice (the late John) Kelly and Daniel (Kate) Tobias. Cousin of Tina Leannah, Kate (Scott) Young, the late Laura Takach and Michael Takach. Daughter-in-law of April (Kieth) Magarich, and John (Ellen) Klein Sr. Sister-in-law of Anthony Klein, Katie Klein and Chris Klein. Aunt of Kylie, Luke and Murphy. Further survived by other relatives and friends especially Karen (Mike) Lentz and her special boy “Tito” and others who very much loved her and cherished her. 


Laura was Vice President of Sales for WPC Technologies and enjoyed all the places she was able to go to and experiences she gained from her career there. Laura was supposed to go to Vietnam in 2019 for work and had just received her passport for the trip when she was diagnosed with cancer and made it impossible for her to go which crushed her. Laura was a valued employee at WPC who touched many lives, and her death is a great loss for her family, coworkers, and the company.  As nearly a ten year veteran of WPC, Laura progressed from Human Resources Manager, to Customer Service Manager, to Vice President of Sales.

 

Prior to her career with WPC Technologies, Laura was a Wisconsin Licensed Funeral Director and Manager of the Molthen-Bell and Sons Funeral Home where she assisted hundreds of families through the toughest times of their lives.

 

Laura was a regular blood donor through Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin until she was diagnosed with cancer and could no longer donate. She continued spreading the word on the importance of blood donation as often as she could. In Laura’s memory please go and donate blood as often as you can. She truly believed in this life saving task for it saved her on many occasions.

 

Laura loved the Milwaukee Brewers, Sanibel and Ft. Myers Beaches, sushi nights, and most of all her children Sammy and Alex who were her world. 
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Samantha and Alexander’s college fund, WOCA (Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are appreciated.  Here is the website to make online contributions to Sammy and Alex’s college funds:

https://www.ugift529.com/

 

The Ugift code for Sammy is P87-X4Y.

The Ugift code for Alex is B18-G5R.


Special thank you to Dr. Elizabeth Hopp and staff with Froedtert/Medical College of Wisconsin and Dr. Jonathan Treisman and staff through the Reiman Cancer Center - Ascension. We are eternally grateful for the unbelievable care and compassion they had for her and our family.

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Barry Adler


January 23, 1931 - November 18, 2021


Barry Adler, 90, of San Francisco, passed away on November 18, 2021.  Barry was born on January 23, 1931, to O. Theodore and Frances Adler in the Bronx, New York. After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1948, he went on to study chemistry and biology at University of Dubuque. 

After graduation he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with duty in Virginia and Thule, Greenland..  Barry relocated to San Francisco in 1956 and began his career in San Francisco as a Plant Manager and Technical Director for an insecticide company.

 

In 1960, he met Evelyn at a bridge game hosted by mutual friends and they were married six weeks later, going on to have three children, Libby, Wendy, and Adam.

 

Also in 1960 Barry moved his career to the paint and coatings industry starting with the Gliddon Co.  Barry worked in the Paint and Coatings industry for over 30 years.  Barry worked as a chemist, technical director, technical salesman, and partner in a sales distribution company until retirement.  Barry was passionate about giving back and mentoring and served in various positions at many industry societies.  Barry has participated actively in paint and plastics industry trade and technical organizations. He was Golden Gate Society President in 1965-66, Golden Gate Paint & Coatings President in 1968, National Program Chairman for The Federation, and Chairman of the WCS Symposium in 1968 and 1972. He has acted as a meeting and convention planner for more than 30 years.  Barry's contributions to the industry in Northern California were so revered that the Western Coatings Symposium in 2009 introduced the Samson-Adler Distinguished Service Award. Named for Mr. Maurice Samson (Los Angeles) and Mr. Barry Adler (San Francisco) in recognition of their pioneering efforts during the earliest days of the WCS, the award distinguishes an individual for lifetime service to their society, the WCS and the coatings industry in general.

 

Retiring after almost 40 years in the field, Barry had time to fully commit to volunteering for KQED and JFCS (Jewish Family and Children's Services), two organizations he strongly supported. At KQED Barry was past CAP (Community Advisory Panel) chair and chair-elect 2007 CAP and Coordinator of Docent Activities and a television and radio pledge volunteer. Barry was one of the winners of the first annual McNeil Awards as the KQED Volunteer of the Year in 1999.  

 

Barry and Evelyn were awarded the MetLife Foundation "Older Volunteers Enrich America" Community Champion Award and in 2005 they were awarded President Bush's "Thousand Points of Light" award. 

 

Barry and Evelyn were awarded the FAMMY award by the Jewish Children’s and Family Service “in appreciation of Extraordinary Caring and Dedicated Community Service” and Barry was trained to teach a course in “Coping with Chronic Conditions”. 

 

He was also involved with Elderhostel. Barry and Evelyn acted both as hosts and participants, taking the opportunity to travel and learn. He had a generous soul and his jokes filled the room with laughter.

Barry was predeceased by his parents and his son, Adam. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his children Libby Adler, Wendy Adler-Mayes; and his grandchildren, Jordan, Claire, Garrett, and Capri.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to KQED or JFCS in his honor.

Raymond Bendetti

 

Raymond John Benedetti (83), of Hollister, CA passed away peacefully at home on April 10, 2022 after a courageous struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. A prior resident of Santa Clara, CA and Los Gatos, CA, he retired to Hollister in 2007.

Ray was born on April 25, 1938 to Gino and Josephine Benedetti in San Francisco, CA. After high school and college, he went on to a successful 50+ year career as a research chemist. He specialized in industrial coatings and touched many fields during his career: house paints, patio furniture, snow skis, building materials, automotive finishes, highway striping, wood, concrete and stone sealers, and billboard inks.

In 1958, Ray married his high school sweetheart Patricia. They went on to have three children, Paul (Donna), Jeanne and Gary Benedetti (Michele). On weekends during their childhood, he could be found on the pool deck, volunteering at swim meets as an official. He was a 49er’s faithful, faithfully attending games since they played in Kezar Stadium. He attended many of their super bowl victories. A Sharks fan since their founding, for 32 years he’s said “this year is the year… well, maybe next year.”

In retirement, Ray spent a lot of his time with his two grandsons, Morgan and Tyler Benedetti. He enjoyed attending their little league games, karate promotions, lacrosse matches and band performances. He was proud of the young men they had grown up to be. Ray enjoyed wood working and making his own furniture, even sacrificing a fingertip to his passion. He was an active member of SIRS – 131 and the St. Benedicts Catholic Parish. After mass one Sunday, Ray saw a rotten wood bench outside of church. He immediately enlisted his son Paul to help rebuild them. That afternoon they returned, and rebuilt the church’s three dry rotted benches.


Ray was pre-deceased by his parents and brother Gino. Ray is survived by his loving wife Pat, of 63 years, two brothers, Edward and James, his three children, two grandsons, numerous nieces and nephews, and his special friend, a sheltie named Cody.

 

Ray was a long time scholarship chairman of the GGSCT and a regular attendee at technical dinner talks. 

A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 7290 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos, CA on Monday, June 13, 2022 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the nearby St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central Coast Visiting Nurses Association/Hospice Care an organization that comforted Ray in his final days https://ccvna.com/donate/ - designation: Hospice Care 

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