By The Town Crier publishes paid obituaries through its classified ad department. The rate is $1 a line and $15 extra with a photo. Obituary information is due noon Friday prior to next week's publication. An obituary with a photo is due Wednesday prior to next week's publication. To submit an obituary, fax to (650) 948-4021 or e-mail Marie Young at:
SMITH, Richard S.,
Richard, a San Jose native, was raised in Willow Glen and attended Los Gatos High School (Class of 1942). He also attended San Jose State and the University of Chicago. During WWII, he served as a signal man for the U.S. Navy Liberty Ships. After service he entered hotel management working in hotels on the east, including The Greenbrier in West Virginia where he met his lovely wife Betty. He began his insurance career in San Jose in 1951 as an agent and then manager with the New York Life Insurance Company. For the past twenty years he operated Richard S. Smith Insurance Associates in Los Altos. He retired in 1992.
He provided outstanding service to the life and health insurance
industry through a distinguished 50-year career during which time he devoted 17 years to management, repeatedly qualified for his company’s national agency build
ing honors, developed 21 career agents, formed a corporate group practice specializing in employee benefits, and founded his own firm.
As a member of the Life Underwriters Association for 50 years, Mr. Smith had provided meritorious service to the Association and given selfless of his time to the association by serving in numerous leadership positions, including President of the San Jose Life Underwriters, President Chairman of the San Jose Chapter of CLU, ChFC, President of the California ALU, Chairman of the California Life Underwriters Political Action Committee, Trustee of the National ALU, and Chairman of the National Associate of Life Underwriters Political Action Committee. In his honor, San Jose Life Underwriters created the “Richard S. Smith Award” for distinguished service to the insurance industry.
Committed to enhancing the quality of life of his community, Richard had been a member of the Executive Board of Sequoia Council of Boy Scouts of America (a former Eagle Scout himself). He served as an active Rotarian for many years and was Palo Alto Rotary President from 1989-1990. A significant accomplishment as Rotarian was his privilege to serve as Polio Plus Chairman, which resulted in the Palo Alto club raising $125,000 to immunize one million children. Richard chaired the annual golf tournament of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce and raised funds for the United Fund, Crippled Children, and various candidates running for political office. He was a member and past board member of the Los Altos Golf and Country Club.
The contributions that Richard made to the welfare and improvement of the community have been invaluable, and he has served as a worthy model for all public-spirited people. He will be deeply missed by so many. Richard is survived by Betty, his loving wife of 52 years, and children Dan Smith of Mountain View, J. Fred and Catherine Smith of San Jose, Susan and Jack Flesher of Los Altos, his precious grandchildren Alissa, John Richard and Kendall Flesher, and brother Warren and sister-in-law Mabel Smith of Santa Rosa.
A celebration of Richard’s life was held on Mary 11, 2003 at the Los Altos United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alpha-1 Foundation, 2937 SW 27th Avenue, Suite 302, Miami, FL 33133 or their website: www.alphaone,org.
MIRENDA, Philip S.,
Proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Nina Italia Mirenda. Loving father of Stephanie, Donna Andrea, Anthony and Matthew. Loving father-in-law of Larry Knight, Sandy D’Arcy, David Classick, and Jennifer Mirenda. Devoted grandfather to Giana, Rose, and Mary Kay Knight, Tracy and Jody D’Arcy,
David and Audrey Classick and Angeline and Philip J. Mirenda. Loving son of the late Anna and Antonio Mirenda. Sweet brother of Concetta DiFazio and the late Carmela Simione. Also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Born January 6, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, a graduate of Brooklyn College in l943 which he entered at the early age of 16 and was champion wrestler, a resident in Mt. View for 53 years. A long time active supporter of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish and School community serving often as Men’s Club President and Chair of Annual Festival Active Committee keeping the church and school safe and attrac
tive. Charter member of the St. Francis High School Founders Circle. Community involvement includes active participation in Cub Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, 3rd Order Knights of Columbus, Palo Alto Elks Club, St. Joseph Alumni Club, Jessie Lane Boys Club, Mt. View Fun Club, and St. Francis High School Men’s Club.
Professional affiliations include Associated General Contractors, Construction Employee Advocates, President of the Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Training Center and United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Served the construction industry faithfully as Vice President, General Superintendent of the Carl N. Swenson Co., Inc. for over 35 years where he supervised the building of numerous landmark buildings throughout Northern California.
Patriotically served his country as a Sergeant in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday eve with a vigil service and Thursday, February 27, 2003 with a funeral mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mt. View. Entombment followed at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara.
Contributions to Philip’s memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic School Mirenda Scholarship Fund, 1120 Miramonte Ave., Mt. View, CA 94040.
BRIGGS, Audrey Gunnison,
Aged, 76, Audrey was born in San Anselmo, CA to Sam & Norma Gunnison. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Verne G. Richardson and brother Glenn R. Gunnison.
Audrey loved growing up in Marin, where she started her lifelong collection of friends. A resident of Los Altos Hills for the past 42 years, Audrey was one of the first members of the Fed. Woman’s Club of Los Altos. Through her love of flowers, Audrey served as a docent at Filoli for 13 years and later as a docent emeritus, a volunteer at Gamble Garden Center and the Los Altos Garden Club.
Proud to be a 3rd generation Californian, she was especially fond of quail, poppies, and the redwoods. Richardson’s Grove, Tahoe, Yosemite and Stinson Beach were among her favorite places.
Audrey and her husband Dale so enjoyed their extensive world travels together. Her many friends remember her as quick-witted, ready with a laugh and as a card player extraordinaire. She will be deeply missed.
No services will be held at the request of Audrey. In lieu of flowers, donations would hopefully be made to Pathways Hospice, 201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 135, Mt. View, CA 94040.
