Raised in a music-filled home, Owen Haggerty ’80 developed a deep love for records as a kid, eagerly sharing his favorites with his siblings. He also made a name for himself in the neighborhood with his athleticism and admired sportsmanship at Nibley Park. After graduating college, Joe built a fulfilling career in IT, spending nearly […]

Michael Bortolussi ’80 was a lifelong resident of Monte Sereno, Calif. He built a remarkable career as a NASA test pilot before pursuing his entrepreneurial spirit and creating a successful construction business. His greatest happiness came in retirement, traveling the world hand in hand with his wife of 19 years, Tammy. Mike’s heart was fullest […]

Born and raised in White Salmon, Wash., Mary Kathleen (Cain) Levin M.A. ’80 graduated from Columbia High School in 1951, earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, and a master’s degree from Santa Clara. Kathi was a teacher at San Jose schools, and after retirement participated in The Villages Handbell choir for many years. […]

Tom Bolger MBA ’80 was the living embodiment of “a stand-up guy.” He made everyone around him feel comfortable. Tom worked as a chief financial officer for over 40 years at hospitals around the Bay Area. He was happiest around friends and family, listening to the Rolling Stones or Tom Petty, biking, skiing, surfing, hiking, […]

The spotlights always shone brightly upon William Quinlan ’80. A lifelong thespian with over 200 acting credits and nearly 100 directing assignments, Bill performed in all aspects of theater. Throughout his career, he worked alongside great talents at performances in New York and wrote manuscripts as well as screenplays. From his early theater days onward, […]

Eternally curious and always up for adventure, Sandra Killian M.A. ’80 was among a few brave souls to take the Arctic Plunge in Antartica. At 73! Sandy’s career as  a teacher and reading specialist spanned 40 year. She had a generous heart, volunteering with Meals on Wheels. She also knitted baby blankets and hats to […]

J. Scott Etchison M.A. ’80 was quick to listen and slow to speak. A skilled psychotherapist, Scott served as director of the Redwood House for 15 years. He later returned to Brownsville, TX, to care for his mom and worked at the Rio Grande State Center for Mental Health. Outside of work Scott was kind-hearted […]

Political turmoil forced Maria Debasa ’80 to leave Cuba; she found a new home on the sunny beaches of Miami, FL. There, she taught Spanish and made a family. Maria was a devoted mother to her three children and a beloved grandmother to five. All will remember her love for reading, travel, beaches, and how […]

While working in finance for Intel, Terrence Plette MBA ’80 earned an MBA from SCU. Later, he became CFO at Elantec Semiconductor in Milpitas and retired as vice president of finance at Lam Research in Fremont. During retirement, Plette enjoyed spending time with his wife of 52 years, Betsy Germershausen, and his three sons. He loved […]

Gerald “Jerry” Cavanagh, S.J. was a devoted Jesuit and college professor. He was always optimistic and had a zest for life. Before he was ordained, Jerry pursued a career in engineering and designed landing gear for aircraft. But he wanted to work with people more than things and entered the Chicago Province of the Society of […]

Linda G. Bunn ’80 J.D. ’83 was contagiously passionate about everything she did –her work at church, with AARP’s dedicated volunteers, and with “her military service veterans.” She served as Associate State Director for Outreach on the AARP West Virginia team for 12 years. Linda enjoyed painting, craft work, and music. Linda died March 23, 2022, and is […]

An exceptional husband and father, John Hunt ’80 dedicated his whole life to his family. He spoke of his children constantly with tears of enthusiasm and love in his eyes to anyone who would listen. John would check in with everyone and always told his children that they needed to stay healthy in four ways–mentally, […]

Frank J. Casserino, Jr. MBA ’80 always reached for the stars. After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy and earning his MBA from Santa Clara University, Frank, a member of the Astronaut Program, was selected as the prime Payload Specialist for the space shuttle flight in September 1986. Later, he led the creation […]

In high school in San Francisco, Ron Albert Cummings ’80 met the love of his life. Lenora Cooper was a cheerleader. He played football. After he graduated from Santa Clara, the pair married and shared their life with three children and another they helped raise. Although Ron majored in political science, his natural abilities in […]

Carole Ann Chaikin-Chase  MBA’80 came to Santa Clara after her two children were in school. MBA in hand, she went to work at Lockheed Martin, where she had worked before becoming a mom, as well. When not studying or working, Carole cooked and built community—exposing her boys to new experiences, establishing dinner clubs, and founding […]

Douglas O’Neal, husband of Kathryn A. Sure J.D. ’80, long time labor activist, and local teamster leader died January 1, 2020 in San Jose. Born January 17, 1951 in Vallejo, Doug lived a rich and full life, growing up all over the United States and Europe with his Air Force family. He moved to San Jose […]

Margaret van Beuningen-McGovern ’80 was the wife and business partner of Frank van Beuningen. Thanks to her, his financing group Pymwymic (Put Your Money Where Your Meaning Is Community) developed into an international organization, where old and new money were bundled with philanthropic institutions, aimed at creating a new sustainable economy that served people and […]

Born in Ottawa, Derek P. Fenelon ’80 graduated from Hayward High and SCU. He started his career in TV, opening his in own video production business in 1990, writing, directing, and producing. An avid cyclist, he enjoyed playing the piano and loved animals, especially cats. Derek is survived by his brother and sisters Deirdre, Desmond, […]

Benita Carmen Leon Reimal M.A. ’80 was born in Reedley, California, on Nov. 5, 1934, to Porfirio and Michaela Goni Leon, originally from the Basque region of Navarre, Spain. Benita was raised on her parent’s farm in Wasco, California, where her strong Catholic faith and upbringing provided her a source of comfort and strength, which inspired […]

Leila C. Tanaka J.D. ’80 was born in Honolulu and retired from the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Leila also graduated from Waipahu High School, the University of Hawaii, and Santa Clara Law School. Age at 64, she passed away on Sept. 16, 2018. She is survived by brother Eric (Roberta) Tanaka; nieces Courtney (Ryan) Caguillo and […]