Obituaries

Local business and philanthropic icon Ralph Harrison has died

Local corporate leader Ralph Harrison was eldest son of pioneering family that first brought trash collection and recycling to Ventura County. The longtime president of E.J. Harrison & Sons trash collection company died on Saturday of natural causes, his family announced. Ralph was born in Ventura on Nov. 14, 1934, to E.J. and Myra Harrison, […] Read More »

Obituary: Margaret Jolene McBee

Margaret Jolene McBee (January 25,1944 October 3, 2023) Several years ago friends and ex-employees gathered at the Main Street Restaurant & Steakhouse visiting with Jolene and remembering the good times and food they had with her at the closed Vagabond Coffee Shop. “Jolene” It is with a heavy heart, full of treasured memories, to acknowledge […] Read More »

Obituary: Mike McBain

Mike McBain (December 13, 1942 – September 30, 2023) In loving memory of Mike McBain, a distinguished academic, entrepreneur, and community servant. Mike’s journey from philosophy at Cal State University, Los Angeles, to an MBA at Cal State University, Northridge, set the stage for a remarkable career. His entrepreneurial spirit thrived with Central Courier, exemplifying […] Read More »

Here’s to Gary Best. Well done, Friend!

by Tammy I. Glenn, executive director, CAREGIVERS Volunteers of Ventura County Gary Best recently died on February 3, 2023, leaving a huge void in our community. From his love of theatre and improvisation to Sunday nights when his Irish group would perform at Brendan’s, Gary’s voice was as distinctive as his heartfelt contributions. One of […] Read More »

Geoffrey William Tudor July 2, 1956 – December 22, 2022

Born in Newhall, CA and the third and youngest child of Daniel Hubbard Tudor (of Massachusetts) and Jeanice Eddy (of Michigan). Geoff lived an adventurous and unconventional life. He served in the US Coast Guard as a Cadet for a year and received a National Defense Service Medal.  He also served in the US Forest […] Read More »

Dennis John Stanley

Dennis Stanley was the tenth of twelve children born to Wayne and Doris “Babe” Stanley in Los Angeles. He graduated from Bellarmine-Jefferson High in 1978 and soon after moved to Santa Barbara, where he resided for 40 years. He met his wife Mary Crawshaw in 1987 and married in 1988 after moving to the Painted […] Read More »

Julia Frances Campbell Namba

Julia Frances Campbell Namba, 86, passed away on the morning of Friday December 2, 2022 surrounded by her family in her Residence in the historic Hobson Heights section of Ventura. Julia was born in 1936 in Anderson, Indiana, where she grew up on a family farm with her younger brother Tom. She was the daughter […] Read More »

Mary O’Connor passes away

Mary O’Connor (Tosney) completed her earthly journey peacefully at her residence in Ventura, on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Mary Ann was born to Dr. Robert O’Connor and Mary (McMahon) O’Connor in Buffalo, NY. She spent her early years in the idyllic village of Williamsville, NY. Mary O’Connor was the rock ’n’ roller & Chapter 12 […] Read More »

Memorial service at Ventura Harbor for Vuong Tran

A memorial service was held at the docks at the Harbor for Vuong Tran (January 1, 1957-December 8, 2021). Attended by his large family and many many friends. From the Harbor Patrol: Wednesday 12/08, 4:23pm, dispatched to an offshore Search & Rescue for missing fisherman from the commercial boat John Start. Officers responded in the […] Read More »

Richard Neil Keller February 18,1917 - July 23, 2021

by Karen Leslie, writer with heart A humanitarian to the bone, Richard Keller left his inventor’s footprint onto the world and legacy into the hearts that crossed his path. The quiet strength of his creative thinking-mind and a gentle-man to the core, led to a full life, rich in friends, adventures and accomplishments. In Richard’s […] Read More »

Suz Montgomery, 1948 - 2021

Suz informed and entertained millions with Schmooze With Suz on CAPSTV. Suz Montgomery, an icon fixture in the Ventura community died Oct. 12, of complications from cancer John Hankins stated: “My wife and best friend passed peacefully at 6:30 a.m. as the sun rose. Within the hour, a hummingbird hovered in her garden, a sign […] Read More »

Ventura legend passes on October 8 at 89

Reverend McCurtis from Face of Ventura by Johanna Spinks. Born in Stonewall, Mississippi, in 1932, Reverend Luther McCurtis’ was fascinated to grow up as a young boy in a state where Jim Crow laws forbade blacks and whites to socialize, but each Christmas, the owners of the Stonewall Cotton Mill near his home, erected a […] Read More »

Jack Lawrence White, A.I.A.

Jack Lawrence White, long time Los Angeles and Ventura County Architect and resident, passed away at the fine age of 89, on Monday, May 24th. Surrounded in love by his family, he took his last breath with his son Rick, holding his hand. Jack, born in Phoenix, in the coat closet of the Kit Kat […] Read More »

Bernie Goldstein (1932-2020)

Father Serra by Bernie Goldstein Sam (Bernie) Goldstein died Friday December 18, 2020 of heart disease at the age of 88. Bernie was born August 9, 1932 in San Francisco. Bernie’s father, Max Goldstein sold men’s suits and played clarinet in dance bands during and after the depression. His mother Celia escaped Russia as a […] Read More »

Joe Brown, President of Channel Cities Jazz Club, passes

It is with deepest regret and great sorrow that on Friday, August 28, Joe Brown, President of Channel Cities Jazz Club, passed away due to complications from surgery. Joe, an active member of CCJC for many years was in charge of their newsletter and served as President of the club for two years. He was […] Read More »

Sunflowers for Izzy

The Ventura Breeze mourns the loss of one of our family. “Izzy” was the daughter of Ana Baker and stepdaughter of Jaimie Baker both part of our wonderful staff. The following was written by her parents. It is with the greatest sorrow that we announce the passing of Isabella Mercedes Kress, our beloved daughter, sister, […] Read More »

Ventura loses another contributor to the arts

Ben Bunji Namba, founder and benefactor of the NAMBA Performing Arts Space, passed away on February 26, 2020 at his Ventura residence with his wife Julia Campbell Namba by his side. Born April 6, 1930 in Manchuria, China, Ben lived and was educated in Japan, earning his university degree there. Ben later moved to the […] Read More »

Ken Winter

Ken Winter November 4, 1926 to February 17, 2020 His shirt is his epitaph! Thank you to the Ventura Y for their embracing of “The Whistler”to keep him healthy so long, Thank you to all our friends who took time to visit, Friends at The Winery for a wonderful time, Victoria Care for all their care […] Read More »

Marta Nelson (1922 - 2019)

Marta Nelson, one of Ojai’s most beloved artists, passed away peacefully at age 96. Marta was a painter, a printmaker and a sculptor in papier mâché. She was a traditionalist who knew when to bend the rules, an optimist who felt compelled to paint something beautiful, a citizen of the world who strongly believed that […] Read More »

Ferguson Case Orr Paterson mourns passing of partner

Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP (FCOP), recently announced the passing of long-time partner, Theodore J. England, who joined the firm in 2001. Outside of his work, England was committed to volunteering, serving as a board member at Interface Children Family Services, the Salvation Army and St. John’s Healthcare Foundation. Together with his wife Annette, he […] Read More »

100 and going strong

Mary Jane Mitchell was born on October 11, 1918 in Oxnard and is turning 100.  She was raised in Somis and graduated from Oxnard High School.  Her father was the manufacturer of the Ventura Bean Planter used by farmers in Ventura County, across California and in other agricultural states.  At Ventura College she met Jack […] Read More »

Sad passing of local icon, Helen Yunker

Always a lady of class and distinction. Helen had a simple philosophy: “In helping and sharing with others, you multiply your own blessings many times.” Her blessings were multiplied over and over again. One of Ventura’s premier philanthropists, arts supporters and political activists, Helen died at age 97 peacefully on July 28. Born in Chicago […] Read More »

Well-known restaurant owner dies

A nice memorial has been set-up outside the site of the restaurant. Chingchai “Chang” Liampetchakul, former owner of Tipps Thai Cuisine has passed on at age 60. Chang’s life has taken a turn for the worse the last several years. In Feb., 2017 Chang Liampetchakul suffered a stroke while at the restaurant. He was cooking […] Read More »

Vera (Castanon) Hirrel

Vera (Castanon) Hirrel, 62, passed away peacefully in her home in Oxnard, California on July 3, 2018 with loving family by her side. Born on September 30, 1955 in Riverdale, California to the late Nellie Castanon and Nick Castanon, Vera spent most of her adult life living in Ventura County. Vera was known for her […] Read More »

Shawn McCarthy

On May 18th, Shawn McCarthy lost his long battle with cancer. He and wife Linda are franchise owners BNI Business Network. He would have been 64 in December. Shawn never stopped smiling and reaching out to all that were in his presence. Being with him was a joy. He will be sorely missed by all […] Read More »

CARL, and Ventura loses one of their best

Phyllis was animal advocate of the first order. For the past 2 1/2 years, and 5 years prior to that, Phyllis managed the CARL and Cat’s Cradle thrift store for no compensation, with all sales money donated to the above animal rescues. She was well known and respected in the rescue community and by store […] Read More »

Jeffrey Allan "Jeff" Suggs

Jeffrey Alan Suggs, 53, of Ventura, passed away on Friday, March 2 after a long struggle with cancer. Jeff was born in Los, Angeles, on March 24, 1964 to Russell L. Suggs and Barbara J. Suggs. He attended elementary and jr. high school in South Pasadena, CA and finished his education in Ventura, earning his […] Read More »

John Masterson (1935-2018)

John spent 18 years as a Trustee of the Community Memorial Hospital. He was Chairman of the Community Memorial Hospital Benefactors and an Executive Board member Community Memorial Health Care Foundation. John joined the staff of Community Memorial Hospital in 1992 as Vice President Community Relations. He remained for 25 years retiring at the age […] Read More »

Focus on the Masters mourns Dorothy Hunter

Dorothy Hunter October 20, 1929 – January 30, 2018 Focus on the Masters mourns the death of extensively documented painter Dorothy Hunter. Often referred to as an abstract artist, Dorothy felt her work should more accurately be called abstract impressionism because the ideas and inspiration came from what she had seen and experienced. Dorothy had […] Read More »

John Lunsford “Buck Fifty” 1954 – 2018

John Lunsford “Buck Fifty”, an iconic local musician, passed away this month. John was the owner of Realizations Recording Studio and Rising Force Sound as well as a talented blues/jazz musician and gospel singer. Playing flute and harmonica while wailing the blues with local musicians was his passion. His studio was open to all and […] Read More »

In memoriam John Cressy

John Cressy with his dogs Baron, Dog and Whiddle near the mouth of “the raging Ventura River,” as John joked on Facebook. The Ventura Breeze would like to honor the memory of John Cressy, who died recently after a courageous battle with metastatic cancer of the esophagus. Cressy was a longtime friend of the Breeze. […] Read More »

Randolph Siple's passing sentiments

Randolph Edward Siple, born June 5, 1933 in Glendale, California left this world on September 20, 2016. It is with some regret that I tell you I have died, but with no regret that I have joined so many of my friends on the other side. Let me tell you a little about my life. […] Read More »

Vol. 10, No. 1 – October 12 - October 25, 2016 - Two On the Aisle

Jim’s interest in magic began at age 14. R.I.P. Jim Spencer by Shirley Lorraine The seat on the aisle is now empty.  James (Jim) L. Spencer passed away at the age of 74 from a swiftly-moving inoperable brain tumor on Friday, September 30 with me, his wife of 26 years, Shirley Lorraine Spencer, at his […] Read More »