Wayne Eugene Hancock
July 2, 1922 – November 24, 2016

Wayne Eugene Hancock age 94 of Wayne, NY. went to be with our Lord Jesus on November 24, 2016. Wayne was born in O’Neill, NE July 2, 1922 the son of Claud P. Hancock and Stella Florence Hancock.

He graduated high school in Tekamah, NE in 1940.  Joined the Army in 1942 where he traveled to England on the Queen Mary along with 15,000 troops and 1,500 nurses.  In England, Wayne was in charge of 60 men in the motorpool for the 398th Infantry Regiment of the 100th Infantry Division.  Near the end of WWII, after serving at the American School Center in England, he was trained to replace infantry lost in the Battle of the Bulge but the war ended just as he was mustered for combat duty.

Honorably discharged from the Army in Dec. 1945 Wayne returned to Tekamah and married Fern Lucille Webster March 3, 1946 and they promptly moved to Albany, CA.  In 1949, Wayne’s twins (Tim & Pam) were born. The following year; he graduated from the University of CA at Berkeley, and became an accountant then eventually joined Kaiser Steel Oakland in 1959. Fern died of cancer in June 1960.  Wayne was introduced to Margaret E. Longnecker in 1962 and they married later that year.  Margaret’s two children Barbara and Dale joined Wayne’s twins in the Hancock family when they married in 1962.

When Wayne retired from Kaiser in 1979 he and Margaret began their career as travelers.Having visited all 50 states in various trailers and campers.  In 1976 they visited England, traveling on a special British Airways jet decorated in red, white and blue in honor of America’s 200th Anniversary.  In 1995, they returned to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of V-E Day and to visit 8 other European countries.

Wayne was an active board member of the First Congregational Church of Antioch, CA. for many years.  He was Treasurer of the Delta Chapter of the “California Striped Bass Association” and helped start “Citizens for Safe Drinking Water” and has fought for the preservation of the Delta and its inhabitants for many years.Because of Wayne’s love of fishing and children, he assisted Compy Compomizzo to form the “Annual Kids Free Fishing Derby” (Antioch, CA.) in 1987.  Which is still held to this day each year.

In 2006, Wayne lost his 2nd wife Margaret to cancer.  After a few years alone, he decided to move to Redding, CA to be near his son Tim.  In October 2012, he moved into The Hilltop Estates Assisted living facility where he found many new and exciting friends.  In August 2014, Tim died suddenly, so Pam became his caregiver.  In October 2014, Pam & Dale packed Wayne’s belongings and drove him across the U.S. to New York to begin his new life with Pam and her husband Dennis.   Within a few weeks, he fell and broke his hip and has been at the Homestead Nursing Home since November 2014.

Wayne was pre-deceased by his parents, Claud P. and Stella Hancock, first wife, Fern L. Hancock, son Timothy Wayne Hancock, second wife, Margaret  Hancock, two sisters Grace & Helen, and three brothers, Edmund, Charles and Robert.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela (Hancock) Carlson (Dennis) of Wayne, NY.,  Step-daughter Barbara Greenwood (Ronald) of Oakley, CA. and Step-son Dale Kutsch (Marianne) of Oceanside, CA., 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, his brother Marlin Hancock (Barbara) of Carson City, NV. and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

He will be returned to CA. to be buried.  A memorial service will be held at the time of internment.  Donations in Wayne’s name to: Penn Yan First Baptist Church 224 Main St. Penn Yan, NY 14527 or the California Striped Bass Association, West Delta Chapter P.O. Box 2691 Antioch, CA 94531.

Friends and family may share memories of Wayne at www.townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com.

John Travers Nejedly
July 2, 1964 – October 7, 2016

John Travers Nejedly embarked peacefully on a new journey Friday, October 7, 2016. John was born on July 2, 1964 in Walnut Creek, CA. He is the son of John A. Nejedly and Pamela Maloy, both deceased. John is survived by his loving family, his wife, Katie, his daughters, Kathleen and Kristina and his son, John Christian. His siblings and extended family of nieces, nephews and in-laws also survive him.

J.T., as many knew him, attended Las Lomas High School, Modesto Jr. College, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and John F. Kennedy University School of Law. He founded Nejedly Corporation, a general engineering contracting company, worked as an attorney and served as a Contra Costa Community College District Trustee in the years preceding his death.

J.T. enjoyed spending time with his family and in the mountains more than anything. He loved golfing, skiing, coaching sports, riding dirt bikes and snowmobiles, fishing and living life to the fullest. John will be remembered most for his twenty-two years of dedication to the Community College Board and his twenty-seven years of giving his family so much love and happiness. He will also be remembered as a lifelong friend and confidant to everyone who knew him. His carefree demeanor, love of life and genuine smile will be missed more than anyone will ever know.

Services will be held on Thursday, October 27th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1315 Lomitas Avenue in Livermore, CA 94550. A reception will follow at Ravenswood Historic Site, 2647 Arroyo Road in Livermore.

John T. Nejedly

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) sadly announces the passing of Governing Board (Board) member John T. Nejedly this past weekend.  Mr. Nejedly represented Ward 4 which includes Blackhawk, Byron, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, San Ramon, and parts of Alamo, Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, and Concord.

“Our prayers and sympathies are with the Nejedly family and friends,” says Board President Vicki Gordon.  “Mr. Nejedly’s long tenure on the Board demonstrated his support of the community college mission.  He will be missed.”

Mr. Nejedly was first elected to the Board in 1994, and was serving his sixth consecutive term of office.  He is only the fourth member to represent this area since the District was created in 1948.

“We are saddened and shocked by his passing and will miss his consistent, rational approach to issues facing the District.  The success of our students was his top priority,” Chancellor Helen Benjamin said.

After graduating from Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Construction Management, Mr. Nejedly completed his education at John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he received his law degree.  In addition to being a member of the California State Bar, he was a California licensed Real Estate Broker and licensed General Engineering Contractor.

The oldest son of the late State Senator John A. Nejedly, he was the brother of County Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Board Member James Nejedly.

He first ran for public office in 1992, but unsuccessfully for the Danville Town Council. He also ran for County Assessor in 2010, losing to incumbent Gus Kramer.

“Trustee Nejedly was the only Board member who worked on the passage of all three District bond campaigns, Measures A 2002 and 2006, and Measure E 2014,” said Board member John Márquez who has served on the Board with Mr. Nejedly for six years.  “His construction knowledge and experience provided a sound and critical voice as we modernized our campus facilities to improve the learning environment for students.”

A resident of San Ramon, Mr. Nejedly and his wife have three children and enjoyed spending time in the mountains and playing golf.

Barbara Zivica from her Facebook page.

By Allen Payton

The self-named Watchdog of local politics, Barbara Zivica, passed away on Saturday, May 21 following a long battle with cancer. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she graduated from East Rockaway High School and earned a degree in Management from St. Mary’s College in Moraga. Before she was the columnist for the Antioch Herald, Barbara was a columnist for the Dawn newspaper chain in East Detroit, Michigan, the Valley Merchant in Concord, CA and the Ledger-Dispatch in Antioch. She also worked at the Antioch Police Department for many years.

Barbara served on the Antioch Waterfront Commission, was a Charter Member of the Delta Toastmasters, and Executive Director of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association.

She was especially proud of being in charge of a referendum to locate the Walnut Creek City Hall where it is, today. As a result, in 1980, the Mayor gave her a brick and certificate of commendation for her efforts, which she had on display in her home.

She is survived by her two daughters, Stephanie Simonson of Scottsdale, Arizona and Stacey Anderson of Benicia, and five grandchildren, Destiny, Todd, Skyanne, Jacey and Jenna, and Barbara’s long-time companion, Hank Bagwell.

Barbara wanted the following poem shared, which it’s believed she wrote:

Beneath the bridge and waves so blue

I commit my soul to life anew.

To those I love I leave this thought

Don’t let life be lived for naught.

Taped to her computer monitor she had the following quotes:

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do things worth writing.  – Benjamin Franklin

Then, of course, this quote:

Our liberty depends on freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being lost. – Thomas Jefferson

I enjoyed her writing and our discussions on local issues. Although we didn’t always agree, I respected her opinion and research skills. Barbara wouldn’t let me pay her, even with gift certificates from local businesses. She created the logo for her column, a photo of her dog Hooch, who she also left behind.

Her final column, about water issues, was posted on the Antioch Herald website on May 10, 2016 and will appear in the July issue of the paper.

Lorenzo Hall

The public is invited to attend and support the family of 11-year-old Lorenzo D. Hall, Jr., as they celebrate his short life and lay him to rest on Monday, January 4, 2016 with viewing at 10 a.m. and memorial service at 11 a.m. at Antioch Church Family, 55 E. 18^th Street in Antioch. The burial will follow at Oak View Memorial Park in Antioch.

Lorenzo was a 6th grade student at Black Diamond Middle School in Antioch, who suddenly passed away early morning of December 18th due to complications with asthma. Lorenzo leaves behind his mom, Mechelle, dad, Lorenzo Sr., an older sister Ashaunti and a younger sister, Anayiah.

The family is  in need of financial assistance to cover funeral expenses. According to friends, they are short about $1,900. Please visit their Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/hwfn4mmc.

By Donna Swenson, daughter

In Dad’s dying days his appreciation for those around him was accentuated.  This very independent man needed now to depend more on the help of others, especially his wife Katy.  He became more deliberate in his “thank you” and “please.”  A sense of humor sprinkled their tasks of everyday life which had become more difficult with the challenges of disease and a tired body.  It was a privilege to witness this example of love aging well.

During his last week at home I came into the house one afternoon . I found them both asleep on opposite ends of the couch , arms reaching across, holding hands.  It is an image so sweet, speaking clearly of mutual love and respect.  It is an image  I carry in my heart.  Thank you Katy for  your ready laughter, generous spirit, your appreciation and love of dad.  We know this love was a gift for both of you to share “till death do you part.”

Mural of the old Antioch telephone office, on the building at the corner of West 4th and G Streets, in downtown Antioch, depicting Don (in brown suit) and Helen (in blue and white) Meagher picking up their first phone.

Donald James Meager came into this world December 6 , 1921 at St. Luke’s hospital in San Francisco. He was the first child of Theresa Whitfield and James Meagher.  He was to become the older brother of Gerald, James and Mary.  Grandma Whitfield had a ranch in Mission San Jose.  This is where he and his brothers and sister spent many days exploring the orchards, sleeping on the porch of the big ranch house and playing in the barn with their cousins.  His dad and uncles owned a garage in the Mission District of the city. This business thrived and declined according to the economy of the times.  Growing up,  the family moved a lot living in the city, living in at least 10 homes  before dad was 18. His father died at 50, leaving Granny a widow at 46 with four children.   Dad, at 18, became the shoulder to lean on for his mother and 12 year old his sister, Mary. As they followed their father’s body down the aisle of St. James church Dad lovingly took his young sister’s hand assuring her ‘it would be all right.”

He graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1940, not sure what he was going to do with his life.  He had a few odd jobs.  Then World War II  began. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard serving in the South Pacific on LST 830, sending money home to help his mother.    Following the war he came home  went to college at San Francisco State on the GI Bill. He took  education classes, ran track and dated girls.  He met our mother,  Helen Buckley on campus and fell in love.  They were married in June of 1948 at St. James church on Guerrero Street. They lived on campus in married student housing where all the fun was happening with other Veterans and their young wives.  There they met life long friends in Henry and Mary Jean Watty.

They didn’t waste any time starting a family. Their first child Donna Theresa was born the following year in August 1949.  Mom and Dad decided to leave the foggy city taking a teaching job up in sunny Sonoma county where they lived in a little house on Harold Way in Healdsburg.  He taught at Windsor Elementary School earning $2,500 a year.  Fourteen months later along came Christopher James. The very persuasive Henry Watty was teaching in Antioch by then where they were paying teachers a bit more, ann extra $500 a year. So Mom and Dad packed up their two little ones and bought a house on Dennis Drive in Antioch.  In the next six years Patricia Helen and Susanna completed the Meagher family.

Dad began a very successful career in education in this small town. He earned his Masters Degree in Education in 1956 and held teaching credentials for Elementary and Secondary Education.

The professional accomplishment he was most proud of was principal of Sutter Elementary School for 20 years.  It was an innovative school for its time, the 1970’s.  Pod shaped buildings, hand picked teachers, following the principles the education gurus of the time, William Glasser and Thomas Harris, of “I’m Ok, You’re Ok” fame.  He enjoyed a good relationship with the parent/teacher community that worked together to raise funds for the school.

Dad’s acting debut during this time was as Linus, in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” in a parent, staff production.  He retired in 1983.  The library of the school is named in his honor and each year a new group of students learns how to pronounce Meagher correctly.

He and mom enjoyed those early years of retirement traveling and visiting grandchildren.  Dad eventually went back to continue his teaching career at the Independent High School in Brentwood for 14 years.  He reconnected with those LST 830 men , organizing a reunion in Branson, Missouri.   Then Mom died suddenly in 1997, leaving Dad to define his own, next chapter.  As our family left Dad, after a week together of shared shock and grief, he sat us down at the kitchen table.   He told us that life had been great with Mom but he was ready  and excited to see what the future would bring. He sold the family home and moved to Summerset, a setting not unlike that at San Francisco State married-student housing so many years before.  He began an active social life with new found friends, playing bocce, taking trips with Elder Hostel, and taking up golf.  The chapter began.

He found a loving companion and wife, to enjoy the last 14 years of his life.  He had met Kathleen Welch Smith at a reunion of his Coast Guard buddies when he was there with mom.  Mom came home from that first reunion with stories of meeting Katy and enjoying her company. The second reunion Dad went alone.  A friendship began with Katy and he fell in love again.  They enjoyed an active life together. He became a mentor to her six children and many grandchildren who live in the mid west.  During these years they traveled, enjoyed the activities and friendship in this community, played bocce and golf together with Dad making a hole in one at 90.

Dad encouraged our family legacy of educators.  His mother was a teacher along with his brother Jimmy and sister Mary.  Many of his cousins were teachers and nieces and nephews.  All of his children became teachers, Chris worked in Special Education, Sue is a speech therapist, while Donna and Patricia are elementary teachers.  Several grandchildren are continuing this important work.

He died peacefully on Sunday, October 25, completing an accomplished, rich, full life of 93 years.  His family kept vigil, reminding one another of the memories we shared, the stories we won’t forget, and the love we have for him.  We hold this treasure trove in our hearts and will pass these on to those who carry on our family story.

Donations in his name can be made to purchase books for the Donald J. Meagher Library at Sutter Elementary School, 3410 Longview Road, Antioch, California, 94509 .

Publisher’s Note: A service was held for Don Meagher on October 30 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Brentwood. Don and his first wife, Helen will be forever enshrined as part of the mural on the side of the building at the corner of West 4th and G Streets in downtown Antioch, depicting the old telephone office, including Don and Helen picking up their first phone. According to former Antioch Councilwoman Elizabeth Rimbault, Don served on the Board of Directors of the Antioch Historical Society. Together they contributed funds, time and effort to create the first “Brides Room” in the museum in memory of Helen and Rimbault’s mother, Velma Jennings (First Madd Hatter’s Hat Shop), including painting, hanging curtains and creating displays.

Peter Parla

January 20, 1959 – October 7, 2015

Peter Parla age 56, passed away suddenly in a car accident, Wednesday, October 7, 2015.

He was born on January 20, 1959 in Pittsburg, CA. to Frank and Petrina (Alaimo) Parla. He was a longtime resident of Pioneer, CA.

Pete married Dawn Oliver in Lake Tahoe, NV on December 28, 1989.

Pete graduated from Antioch High School. He was the produce manager at Pokerville Market in Plymouth, CA. He had a very kind heart, a friend to everyone and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn Parla; children, Jeremiah Parla and fiancé Alicia Hammett, Nicole Parla-Penge and Fiancé Michael Colenzo, Peter Parla II and Petrina Parla; grandchildren, Hailee Hammett, Hunter Hammett, Bella Parla and Cienna Parla; sister, Roseanne (Danny) Carroll; brothers, Sam (Lynette) Parla, Frank Parla. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Peggy Parla.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 24, 2015 at the Mt. Zion Church, 13891 Cedar Pine Lane, Pine Grove, CA. 95665, 1:00 P.M. If you would like to help support the Parla Family, please do so using the following two methods. Thank you for any help you can provide.

1. Make all checks payable to “Memorial Fund for Pete Parla” and mail them to: Bank of Stockton Memorial Fund for Pete Parla, P.O. Box 100, Pine Grove, CA 95665

2. You can also give using Mt. Zion Church’s online portal here. Select the fund “Memorial Fund for Pete Parla”. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

Donald Blomberg, DVM

May 9, 1924 – August 6, 2015

Don Blomberg, long time Antioch resident, passed away August 6, 2015, in his cottage at Upper Post Lake, Wisconsin. Although a California native, he cherished his summer visits to Wisconsin. Most important to him were the relationships and sense of community that developed during the years.

Don, affectionately known as Doc by many, was born in Berkeley, CA on May 9, 1924. His family moved around to various cities in California but finally settled for good in Sacramento. Don attended McClatchy High School, graduated from University of Southern California and University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, class 1958.

He practiced veterinary medicine with William Stansbury and eventually purchased the Antioch Veterinary Hospital & Clinic. During his 50 year residency in Antioch, Don participated in Kiwanis, Storyland Theatre, AFS, President of Contra Costa Veterinary Association, Board Member & President of Contra Costa Veterinary Emergency Clinic.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marleen who always called him “the world’s greatest father”. When his own kids weren’t around, Don would read to or spend time with neighboring children. Other surviving family include sons Craig (Darien), Lars (Deb), Sven (Laura), grandchildren Daniel, Jeremy, Jed, John, Stella, Elsa, and Annalise, and three brothers.

A celebration of life will be held October 18, 2015 from 11 am to 3 pm at Lone Tree Golf Course in Antioch.

Donations can be sent to School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis in honor of Don Blomberg, Class of 1958, P O Box 1167, Davis, CA 95617 or any charity of your choice.