William P. Clarke ’77 grew up in Nyack, NY, and graduated from Fordham Prep before moving across the country to attend Santa Clara University. William enjoyed a career in banking and worked for Wells Fargo, then was the VP of loan services for Rockville Bank which became United bank before his retirement in 2017. He […]

From childhood adventures playing baseball, swimming, and exploring the outdoors, to daring feats like his 4,500-mile cross-country bike ride, Gary McGowan J.D. ’77 approached life with courage, curiosity, and joy. Professionally, Gary devoted over two decades as an accomplished and respected assistant district attorney in Plumas County, known not only for his tireless service, mentorship, […]

After more than four decades as an actuary and vice president in the insurance industry, Charles Bolton ’77 carried his Bronco pride with him into retirement, often wearing his Santa Clara alum t-shirts as a public reminder of his roots. Chuck found a lot of joy sharing homemade meals with friends and family, listening to […]

James Passadori ’77 spent childhood swimming with his brothers and vacationing in Santa Cruz. After graduating from SCU, Jim returned to Atwater to join the family business, dedicating over 40 years before retiring. Jim and Debi married in 1978 and built a loving, laughter-filled home with their children, Ryan and Diana Passadori ’03, J.D ’06. […]

As a U.S. Navy aviator, James Boring M.S. ’77 served during the Korean War, patrolling the Pacific from posts in Alaska and Japan before continuing nearly four decades of service in the Navy Reserves. During a leave in Washington, he met Ann, and they spent 62 years together. They raised a family in San Jose, […]

As a young adult, Ronald Cieslak ’77 made the decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—a choice that shaped the rest of his life. After serving a mission in Montreal, Canada, he returned to California and began a career as an accountant with Ford Aerospace, where he remained for more than […]

Raised in a military family, Eugene Studer J.D. ’77 attended the U.S. Military Academy, where he met his wife, Nancy. They married in 1970. His military career was distinguished, from defending soldiers in Korea to working as a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney. Gene retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s […]

Leo Dressel M.Div ’77 had a love for God and a passion for education. Leo served in the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1992. Throughout his career as an educator, Leo impacted the lives of thousands of students and faculty at several schools across the country. He’ll be remembered for his sharp intellect, quick […]

As a child, Gary Hintz MBA ’77 was known for his boundless energy, love of the ocean, and musical talent (especially the trumpet). While his career in fraud risk didn’t involve music, he found an outlet singing with the Santa Cruz Chorale and served on their board for many years. In retirement, Gary dove into […]

Thomas Lawless ’77, J.D. ’82 thought he’d be an accountant. He got his master’s at University of Denver and practiced as a CPA. But his true calling was law. At Santa Clara Law School, he was editor of the law review. He practiced as a tax attorney in Phoenix for 34 years, ending at his […]

Terence Cox J.D. ’77 hitchhiked his way around the world. From the three summers he spent as an apprentice carpenter to his years working backstage for the Monterey Jazz Festival, Terry met new people and learned countless lessons. But the journey that most defined his path in life was his visit to Afghanistan. During those […]

Known to close friends and family as “The Uncommon Man,” Gelacio Delizo ’77 died on September 27, 2022. A man of many names, Gelacio was a husband, father, son, environmentalist, and much more. A proud lifetime resident of the East Bay, Gelacio grew up in Richmond before moving to Danville in 1985. He graduated from Santa […]

A humble and gentle soul to all he met, Stephen Hayes JD ’77 died June 19, 2022. Stephen always remembered his hometown fondly and regularly shared stories of its charm ranging from delivering the newspaper to Coleman Hawkins’ mother, his father’s years as a foreman in the stockyards, to seeing Mickey Mantle play minor league […]

After working as an engineer at PG&E, Lockheed Martin, and GTE all over the world, Fred Badal MBA ’77 retired and started work as a business broker for Alan Business Investments in the 1990s. When he wasn’t working, he loved to fly Cessna 172s and Piper Cherokee aircrafts (in the 1960s), play Bridge, and study business […]

After studying psychology and counseling  Michael Sergent MA ’77 dedicated his career to others as a  counselor and educator for veterans. He loved music, people, family, and the outdoors and was always there for those who needed him. Michael traveled across the world with his partner Dianne, and spent time at home playing with his […]

Born on a farm in Washington, Heda (Hideko) Yamada M.A. ’77 survived incarceration in the Tule Lake Relocation Center during WWII. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree at NYU and her Master’s Degree from Santa Clara, and taught for the Cupertino Union School District for 25 years. Heda died on Oct. 22, 2021.

Don Stephens M.A./J.D. ’77 had flying in his soul and not a day went by without him dreaming or regaling of his time in the skies. However what he loved more than flying was his wife, Jeannie—he never stopped telling everyone about how she was the love of his life. Don and Jeannie camped throughout […]

Known for her magical voice and songwriting, Debbie Ann Cucalon ’77 often expressed her thoughts through song. She wrote and performed several of her own original songs debuts when she did her own “One Person” shows. She studied in Spain and afterward became a professional travel agent helping others pursue their own adventures. Debbie died on May […]

After he graduated from Dartmouth College, Thomas Keirnan Barnett, Sr. M.B.A. ’77 enlisted in the U.S. Army, which would take him to Germany. At the end of his Korean War-era service, Tom returned to Chicago to work in the industrial paint business. In 1969, Tom and his family settled in San Jose, and he earned his M.B.A. […]

Equipped with a wicked sense of humor and a razor-sharp tongue, Phillip G. Michaelides J.D. ’77 will forever be remembered for his special dose of tough love. Phil obtained his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from Santa Clara University Law School in 1977, the same year he cofounded his law firm and built a successful and […]