One of the last hop growers in California was born Bernard Joseph Rooney ’52, but very few people actually knew his birth name. “Babe,” as he was known to friends and foes alike, was a fourth generation Sacramentan—his great grandfather came from Ireland at the beginning of the Gold Rush and the family flourished there […]

To best ponder the life of John Sully ’52, his family advises a walk in the woods. After serving in the U.S. Army, Sully began working at CalTrans as a right-of-way agent. It was a position he morphed into senior field biologist, once his Master’s in ecology was in hand. Through that scholarship and work, he […]

Charles J. Peterson ’52 graduated from Santa Clara with a BS in Business Administration and also was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in combat in Korea during the Korean War. After discharge from the service, Chuck made a successful career in sales. In his retirement, Chuck was especially proud […]

Active Bronco Bench member Marcel Fiore ’52, MA ’66 died March 17, 2020. After graduating from Santa Clara he spent two years serving in the Korean War. He returned and married Beverly, the love of his life with whom he stayed until her death 62 years later. They had three children. Marcel worked as a […]

After entering the Jesuit Novitiate in Los Gatos, Ernest Comerford Bracchi ’52 went on to earn a master’s in philosophy from Gonzaga University. His career began as a teacher at St. Ignatius and then at Santa Clara University. He earned a teaching credential at UC Davis and later taught at Highlands and Norte Del Rio High […]

Born on Dec. 6, 1927, in Sanborn, Minnesota, to Peter and Veronica Meyers, Gerry “Papa” Meyers ’52—along with his parents and six siblings—came to Sacramento via “jalopy” in the 1930s to accommodate Grandpa Peter’s new harness-making job. In Sacramento, he graduated from Christian Brothers, moved on to Sacramento City College, entered the Navy and eventually […]

Frederick L. Farrell Jr. ’51 just turned 90 years old and has been married for 68 years to Elin J. Farrell. He writes, “I was a member of the SCU 100th graduation class of June 1951, and my experience at Santa Clara University is certainly one of the most important factors in my life, right […]

On Aug, 1, 2019, Francis Joseph Clark ’52 passed on his 66th wedding anniversary to the welcoming arms of his beloved wife Noel and our Lord. His long, well lived life of commitment to God, family, friends, learning, good works and care for the poor was a model to his eight living children: Peter (Elise), […]

Lifelong Bay Area resident and an Army paratrooper during WWII, Francis Brierly ’52 earned a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from SCU and a master’s in electrical engineering from UC Berkeley. He worked as an engineer in the defense industry for decades and later as an independent programmer. He was an avid bicyclist and leader in […]

John M. “Mitch” Lasgoity ’52 was born on April 11, 1930, to Jean Lasgoity and Jennie Ospital Lasgoity. Mitch was raised on the family 40-acre ranch south of the town of Madera, California, with his parents, maternal grandmother, and two bachelor uncles who spoke to him in Basque. Thus he grew up bilingual with two […]

George D. Siegfried ’52 passed away at age 87 at home surrounded by family on October 20, 2018. He died in his sleep holding hands with the love of his life for over 70 years, Dolores. Even in his final days he never stopped telling jokes. He leaves behind a grandson, William Lewis Whiteside ’15, […]

Edward Joseph Vranizan ’52 was born on Nov. 13, 1930, to the parents of Matthew and Catherine Vranizan. He attended Irvington Elementary School and Central Catholic, class of 1948. Ed studied business at SCU. After graduation he returned to Portland, where he met Mary Catherine McNally, his attending nurse while having knee surgery. Ed and […]

Philip Giles Horton ’52 was born in Longview, Oregon, to George and Harriet Horton. His early youth was spent in Chiloquin, Oregon, a logging town. There he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. Later he lived in Medford, Oregon, where he attended St. Mary’s High School. Phil moved to California to attend SCU. He immediately […]

Watt Clinch ’52 was a third-generation Californian who was born in San Francisco. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1947 and from SCU with a degree in mechanical engineering. Watt joined the United States Naval Reserve in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1965 with a rank of lieutenant. Watt joined PG&E in […]

Thomas Joseph McDermott ’52 was a son to Betty and Thomas McDermott and a brother to Larry, Jack, and Mary. As a “GM Jr.” Tom grew up in many places but considered Janesville, Wisconsin, home. He graduated from SCU with a business degree and a fond memory of being on national television as an SCU […]

Elio “Al” Martin ’52 was born in Windsor, Ontario, on Aug. 25, 1930. He moved to San Mateo at age 5—and called it home for the rest of his life. After graduating from SCU with a degree in accounting, Al began his career in finance. He worked for many years as chief accountant and controller […]

Charles Hawkins ’52 was born in San Francisco to Walter and Eleanor Hawkins and grew up in Nevada City, California. He graduated from Nevada City High School, attended Placer Junior College and Santa Clara University, and graduated from the University of San Francisco after serving in the United States Air Force. Charlie passed away peacefully […]

Francis “Frank” Michael Heffernan Jr. ’52 loved his friends, faith, and school, his SF Giants, Irish heritage, and cocktail hour—and most importantly and unconditionally, his family. Born in 1930 to Frank and Florence Heffernan, Frank was the youngest of five. Betty, Joan, Florence and Mary, his four sisters (whom he adored) preceded him in death. […]

James Kent O’Rourke ’52 was born May 26, 1930, in Colusa, California, to Harold and Elizabeth O’Rourke. After graduating from high school in Colusa and earning his B.A. in history from SCU, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and quickly completed Officers’ School in time to serve in the Korean War. On June […]

Eugene L. Torre ’52, age 87, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2017.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Therese; four daughters, Jule Torre ’77, Jeanne Torre ’77, Mary Ursula Hurley ’79 (Brian Hurley ’79, MBA ’80) and Katie Blocker ’89 (Chris Blocker ’89); and five grandchildren. He led a full life rooted in his Catholic faith, family, […]