obituaries
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Bruce Rolland
(Rayna), Martha Rodriguez, Mandy Gonzalez, along with nephews and nieces whom he adored; and by close and lifelong friends. Services to be held Friday, May, 15, at 11am at Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, 93108, (805) 969-3231. In lieu of flowers please donate to The Cancer Support Community - Redondo Beach (310) 376-3550.
09/03/50 – 04/19/15
John C. Wright
06/24/44 – 04/18/15 Bruce was born on September 3, 1950, in Santa Monica, CA, the 3rd child of Raymond and Dorothy Rolland. He passed on April 19, 2015, at home in Redondo Beach, CA. He leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend of over 30 years, Emily Rolland. Bruce’s family moved to Santa Barbara in 1957. Bruce joined the U.S. Navy with cousin John under the buddy system. Bruce’s naval service of 8 years included 3 years stationed in Rota, Spain. After his Naval service, Bruce began his career at Northrop Grumman Corp. as a Ground Support Mechanic. He traveled for the company troubleshooting problems with fighter aircraft. He retired after 27 years as a Master Program Planner. His retirement years were filled with his passion for restoring 19th century musical instruments and vintage automobiles. He won awards for his vehicles, some of which are now in three Southern California museums. His work has been featured in automotive books and television programs. He was an artist who displayed perfection and beauty in his work. He was generous, kind, and never lost his sense of play. He left us far too soon. Bruce is survived by his wife Emily, sisters Gwen Coxon and Gail (Michael) Stichler; nieces Kris (Todd) Ewing, Kendra (Brian) VanVelzor and Hana Stichler; cousins John (Peggy) Jacobs and Diane O’Hara, dear friend KT; and much adored god-daughters Athena and Emma; sisters-in-law Bonnie Moran, Evelyn Blizzard, Carol (Ray) Welch, Terry Luna
Death Notices Stephen D. Rehage, 59, passed away in Santa Barbara on April 17, 2015. Josephine Martinez, 79, passed away in Santa Barbara on April 26, 2015. Becky Mendoza, 88, passed away in Santa Barbara on April 29, 2015. Janet Langley, 84, passed away on May 3, 2015. A Graveside Service will be held at Santa Barbara Cemetery on Monday, May 11, at 11:00 a.m. 16
THE INDEPENDENT
In the early morning of April 18, 2015, John passed away comforted by his family at Serenity House in Santa Barbara as a result of lung cancer which metastasized to his brain. John was 70 years old. John was preceded in death by his parents. John is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years Cathy, his sons John (Elizabeth) and Tim, his brother William “Bill” Wright, and his extended family friend Leslie Young. John Wright was born in New York, NY, on June 24, 1944. He was the second son of John S. and Katherine Wright. John always maintained how lucky it was for him to grow up in Santa Barbara. He learned to sail at the age of five at the breakwater with his brother Bill and continued to sail well into high school. Sailing was very much a part of John’s early Santa Barbara years. He graduated from Santa Barbara High in 1962 and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1966. When he wasn’t sailing or at school, John spent most of his time on the breakwater working at the family business, John Wright and Sons. John was a proud member of the U.S. Navy, enlisting as a Seaman Recruit in 1967 and retiring in 1998 as a Captain in the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program. The 1970s were a very special and busy time for John. He and Bill took over the family business in the early 70s. It was during this time that John met and married the love of his life, Cathy. Together they raised their sons in a loving home filled with laughter, great food, and the joy of longtime loyal friends. John was a busy volunteer in the boys’ school, Harding Elementary School – volunteering in their classrooms and playing an active role in their lives. Of particular
may 7, 2015
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pleasure was his involvement in the San Marcos High School band program throughout the high school years. John’s pride in being a “Santa Barbara Native” inspired him to become involved in many community activities including the Santa Barbara Visitor Center, Trails and Rails on Amtrak trains; he helped build part of the Santa Barbara Zoo, and helped run the Santa Barbara Fair with the local Jaycees. But it was in traveling to familiar and far-flung places that captivated John’s imagination. The family, even John himself, lost exact count of the many countries John visited, but he visited over 80 countries. His family joked that if the country had a “stan” in its name, John had been there. He loved to ride the trains in exotic places, strike up conversations with the natives, and share his love of readily available jokes with whomever he met. There wasn’t a place on the planet that did not pique John’s interest. A celebration of John’s life will be held at Montecito Event Center located at the former Café del Sol (near the bird refuge) at 30 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA, on Saturday May 9 at 1:00 – 3:30 PM. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite joke of John’s to share. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s honor to Serenity House (Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Santa Barbara) at www.vnhcsb.org or (805) 965-5555.
Richard Blair
06/26/37 – 04/25/15
Richard passed from this world peacefully on April 25, 2015. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, grew up in Orange, California, and attended USC and received a Teachers Credential. He taught at Adams School, Santa Barbara Junior high and 25 yrs at Dos Pueblos High School. He was a popular teacher in Personal Psychology and government classes. Later he went back to school at Antioch in Santa Barbara for his Master’s Degree in Family Therapy. He raised his 2 children from an early age solely and shared his experience in Single Parent support groups. Richard was a political activist protesting the Vietnam War and was proud of being arrested for trying to limit nuclear energy at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant. He
also was very active, running 5 marathons, back packing , biking and hiking. He loved the outdoors. Richard endured the challenge of Parkinson ’s disease without complaint but with courage, dignity and grace. He was a gentle soul and loved telling jokes because of the connection it made. He is survived by his wife Teresa Seiler, daughter Julie Blair, son Mathew Blair and two brothers, Bruce and Lee Blair. We will miss him. He requested no services.
Jacquie Newman
Jacquie passed away on Saturday May 3, 2014, at 3:15 AM. Jacquie was surrounded by family and friends. And she still is. Here. And there. Jacquie touched so many of us. With her wit punches, real punches, and concern and care for everybody, unchanged, even during her last few months. And she knew what was coming. Last year, you saw Jacquie with Damien, and her sunflowers. She took care of a house and a garden that she colored in so many ways. Here is another picture of her. Typical Jacquie, right? And who is taking that picture? Can anybody say chicken waffles? :) To remember Jacquie, you can donate to the good folks that hosted Jacquie during her last few months: the Sarah House at www.SarahHouseSB.org
Audie Love, Jr.
07/19/41 – 05/02/15
Audie Love, 73, died peacefully in his sleep on May 2, 2015, after a brief illness. Audie will be lovingly remem-
bered by many former art students, good friends and family, including, his wife of 50 years, Linda, his brother, Jim (Linda), his sistersin-law, Margaret (David), Arona Ann, and nephew and nieces, Mark (Kim), Suzy and Dee (Steve). Audie was born in Cleveland, Texas, the son of Audie Love, Sr. and Louise Love. As a first grader, he and his family lived in Rising Star, Texas where his father had a leather shop, and Audie astounded the locals with his drawings of Bugs Bunny. When a devastating fire destroyed half of the town, including the leather shop, Audie’s family moved to east Texas where his dad found a job with a paper mill. Audie attended Stephen F. Austin University, the University of Texas, North Texas State University and received his master’s degree in printmaking from New Mexico Highlands University, studying under Elmer Schooley. Audie and Linda were married in Texas in 1964, and in 1969 moved to Santa Barbara. In 1971, Audie was hired to teach painting and drawing at Dos Pueblos High School, and his students were a joy to him. He was honored to be one of the seven writers at Princeton of the National Art Teacher’s Exam and of conducting seminars on behalf of Educational Testing Service on Advanced Placement Studio Art. He retired from teaching in 1999. Knowing what a struggle it was to get funding for art supplies as a teacher, Audie then devoted his time and energy to a nonprofit called the Student Art Fund, a committee of the Santa Barbara Art Association. This group raises funds to give art supply money to all public junior high and senior high art classes in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria. Most recently, the SAF organized the Grandparent Portrait Show. He dearly loved getting invitations to the art openings of his former students at Dos Pueblos and thought of himself as an art coach rather than a teacher. Audie worked long and hard on his goals for the young artists in our community. One of his favorite quotes was from Danny Thomas: “There are givers and takers. The takers eat better, but the givers sleep better.” Another of his favorites was from the Buddha: “A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things that renew humanity.” As he wished, no formal services will be held. He wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. Linda knows how much he was loved and is grateful to all his friends for their support and concern during his illness. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Santa Barbara Foundation, 1111 Chapala St. Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. On the reference line, put Student Art Fund Endowment.