Anaheim Union High School Class of 1940 graduate Virginia Mae (Dinkler) Wilbur passed away on Sept. 19, 2013, in Fullerton. She was born in Anaheim on May 23, 1922, to Reinhold and Jennie Dinkler. Virginia is survived by her son, John; daughter, Susan; sister, Marian; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held Oct. 1, 2013 from 9 – 10 a.m.; followed by a service at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary, Fullerton.
VIRGINIA MAE (DINKLER) WILBUR -1922-2013
September 25, 2013 by
George Dena – Class of 1956
September 23, 2013 by
Class of 1956 Colonist George Dena, whose high school football career in Orange County spanned six decades, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 22, due to cancer. He was 75 years old.
Growing up in Anaheim, Dena was an All-Sunset League quarterback for the legendary Colonists football teams under coach Clare Van Hoorebeke. After playing on the junior college level, Dena entered the coaching ranks at the newly-founded Servite High School in Anaheim. He was an assistant on the Friars coaching staff in its first season of varsity football in 1960, as Servite went 8-2-2 and earned a share of the CIF-Southern Section Small Schools championship. For the next 11 seasons, Dena served as Servite’s head coach and earned three CIF-Southern Section playoff appearances and two Angelus League titles in 1964 and 1967.
In addition to his success on the field, he was also the originator of one of Orange County football’s most memorable traditions: the Servite Hut Drill, which has been performed by Friars players after every game ever since Dena introduced it in the early 1960s.
In 1972, he returned to his alma mater, and was an assistant on Van Hoorebeke’s final Anaheim team. He continued coaching continuously as a varsity level offensive coordinator at Anaheim (1972-1980, 1987-1988, 2000-2001), Brea Olinda (1989-1991, 1994-1999), Foothill (1981-1986), and Servite (1992-1993) before retiring from coaching in 2001. During his 42-year coaching career, Dena’s teams made the CIF-Southern Section playoffs 29 times and dozens of his offensive players earned all-league, all-county or All-CIF honors.
He is survived by his wife Eileen, and his daughters Darcie and Kelly and sons Ron, Dan and Kenny.
Long-time AHS Teacher Jo Kent – 1931-2013
August 5, 2013 by
Long-time Anaheim High instructor Jo Carolyn Woodward Kent died peacefully on July 26, 2013. She was born April 29, 1931, in Cave City, Arkansas. She received her undergraduate degree from Lyons College in English. She went on to receive a Master’s in Education from Peabody School of Education at Vanderbilt University. She met the love of her life, Alvis Guy Kent, in 1947.
She enjoyed a long career as an educator, teaching literature and composition at Anaheim High School for 38 years. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013 at 10 a.m. Anaheim United Methodist Church, where she was a member. Her remains will be buried in a private ceremony at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier.
Jo Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Sue Kent; grandson, Gregory Kent Mitchell; sister, Mary Elizabeth Shaver; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by family, friends and the Colonist community.
KEITH BURNSIDE – 1943-2013
July 2, 2013 by
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Black and white photo from the 1973 Fremont Junior High School Yearbook courtesy of the AHSAA
Shirley (Pannier) Eberhard – 1936-2013
June 23, 2013 by
Shirley (Pannier) Eberhard, a Class of 1953 Colonist, passed away peacefully at her home in Newport Beach on June 19. Born Shirley Louise Pannier, Feb. 7, 1936 in Anaheim, to Edna and Milton Pannier, Shirley spent her childhood helping her parents on their orange ranch and playing with her many cousins who lived nearby. When she was 6, she welcomed her brother Loren into the family. She also began playing the piano, something that would lead to a lifelong love of music.
After graduating from Anaheim High, Shirley moved to Los Angeles to attend Occidental College. She chose Oxy on the recommendation of her piano teacher and graduated in 1957 with a degree in education. The same year, she returned to Anaheim to marry Erland Eberhard, whom she had known since kindergarten.
Shirley taught 4th grade at Roosevelt Elementary in Anaheim during her first year of marriage. She gave birth to her daughter Laurie in 1958. Sons Craig, born in 1959; Jeff, born in 1961; and Brad, born in 1969 followed. While raising her children, Shirley taught piano lessons in her home. Starting at the age of 15, she played the organ and piano each Sunday for over 60 years until her retirement from Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church in 2011. She also played for hundreds of weddings and memorial services throughout Orange County. Her family kidded her that almost anywhere they would go, someone would know Shirley either from her days as a teacher or because she had played music for their wedding.
In the 1970s, Shirley returned to teaching elementary school. She continued to teach in the Anaheim City School District until her retirement in 1998. Despite being “retired” Shirley continued to play the organ on Sundays, supervise student teachers through Cal State Fullerton and play as an accompanist for voice students. Being retired also gave her more time to enjoy her garden, to travel, to attend music and stage performances and to spend time with her six grandchildren. She also donated her time and money to causes she believed in, including Habitat for Humanity and Free Wheelchair Mission. In 2009 Shirley was diagnosed with a brain tumor. This did slow her down somewhat but with surgery and other treatments she was able to lead a very full life for almost four more years; spending time with family and friends, enjoying music, movies and good food.
Shirley is survived by her four children, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and brother, Loren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 29th at Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church (190 S. Fairmont, Anaheim, CA).
Published in Orange County Register on June 23, 2013
G. HOWARD MESSAMER – Aug. 17, 1919 – June 8, 2013
June 13, 2013 by
Galen Howard Messamer, a long-time Anaheim High woodshop teacher, passed away June 8, 2013, at his home in Long Beach. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 14, at Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheim.
Age 93 at the time of his death, Messamer was born Aug. 17, 1919, in Chicago to Orlo and Margaret Messamer. He was the youngest of their seven children.
Howard grew up in Adel, Iowa. After graduating high school, Howard headed west with $5 in his pocket. He worked as a ranch hand, pulling from his years of experience being raised on a farm, while simultaneously putting himself through school. He attended UCLA, where he received a bachelor’s in teaching and went on to CSU Long Beach for his masters.
Howard met Alice Gallagher on the tennis courts of Santa Monica and soon married her in 1943 in Long Beach. They were happily married for 63 years. Their home was a destination for family events and holidays, and all were welcome.
Howard signed up for the Naval Reserve V-7 program in 1942, commonly referenced by him as “the 90 day wonders.” The Navy was a huge part of his life and he felt strongly that “anyone who could be of use should answer the call.” He lived every aspect of his life that way-with a generous, loving heart and service to others- his family, friends and country.
He taught industrial arts, woodshop, mathematics, machine shop and drafting in at Anaheim High and in Redlands for more than 37 years. He was at AHS for more than three decades.
In his free time he enjoyed discovering the many wonders of the USA through weeks of camping, yearly passes to Disneyland to watch the parades with his grandkids or dance to the big band music with Alice. And let’s not forget all those nights of playing cards with his close group of long-time friends.
Howard is survived by his daughters Janet Ferguson (Dale) and Bonnie Womer (Jim), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, 120 E. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805, at 12:30pm, Friday, June 14, 2013. A visitation will be held prior to the service, from 10:30-12:30. Burial will follow the funeral at Fairhaven Cemetery, 1702 E Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705. A reception will follow, at the home of his daughter, Jan Ferguson, at 4827 E Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814.
Published in Orange County Register on June 13, 2013
JOE NAKASHIMA – CLASS OF ’42 COLONIST
May 27, 2013 by
Anaheim Union High School Class of 1942 graduate Joe Nakashima passed away May 23 at age 88. An actor who appeared in movies and TV, including “50 First Dates,” Joe was a regular attendee of the Anaheim Alumni Breakfast and will be greatly missed by his classmates.
Jo proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, joining after he and his family were detained at a temporary processing center located in the Santa Anita Race Track for approximately five months. His family was then sent off by train to a “War Relocation Center” located in Rohwe, Arkansas.
While in camp, Joe desperately wanted to serve his country and after passing rigorous testing with flying colors, Joe served in the European Theater and was honorably discharged in 1946.
A Gardena resident, Joe also attended Horace Mann Elementary School and Fremont Junior High.
Services will be held June 5, 11 a.m., at Green Hill Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes.
AHS ‘ 59 GRADUATE LEAVES LEGACY AS LIFE-LONG ENTERTAINER
March 9, 2013 by
Anaheim 
High School Class of ’59 graduate Rudy Pena, professionally known as Rudy de la Mor, passed away March 5, 2013, at age 73. Rudy enjoyed a colorful and exciting life as a professional entertainer.
A classically trained pianist, de la Mor was a child prodigy who, as a teenager, performed with the Orange County Symphony Orchestra and the Denver Symphony Orchestra. He later performed at Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland.
Rudy was discovered by the late vaudeville, film and television star, Jimmy Durante. As Durante’s protégé, de la Mor became close friends with a number of stars of the era, such as Martha Raye, Alice Faye, Christine Jorgenson and others.
It was Martha Raye who was the impetus for the outrageous hats and sequined attire that became his trademark. After catching one of de la Mor’s early sets as a cabaret performer, she suggested that he focus on the comedic aspects of his act.
“What’s more, she suggested that I wear some of the curtains my mother might have had and change hats all night long,” de la Mor reported on his website.
He was known for his interaction with his audience and had the phenomenal ability to remember the name of everybody in the room in which he was performing. He became a Chicago (and worldwide) cabaret favorite and played to packed houses at the Gentry in Chicago for more than 20 years, as well as locations throughout Southern California.
On Feb. 5, he posted on his official Facebook page, “To all my dear friends: Thank you all so much for your kindness and support as I slowly recover from my illness. Your thoughts and prayers have given me strength and encouragement. I shall see you soon!! Woooosh! Love Rudy.”
He is survived by his sister Aurora “Penny” Pena Lucio, AUHS class of 1952.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 17, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim.
To view a video on Rudy’s life, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPOzgMsbtsI
For a video of Rudy’s performing, click on the following link:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rudy+de+la+mor&mid=5DB221170FDF8A3406E65DB221170FDF8A3406E6&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1
Anaheim Loses Vintage Colonist Peggy Bruington at Age 103
July 30, 2012 by
Anaheim High lost one of it’s oldest known graduates, Elizabeth “Peggy” (Paige) Bruington, a member of Anaheim High’s Class of 1926, who passed away July 27 at age 103 at her home in Palm Desert.
Just a few years ago, Peggy lived independently in San Diego and didn’t give up her driver’s license until age 96. Most recently she lived with her daughter Paige (also an Anaheim grad) and Paige’s husband Hal Hartley.
Born April 1, 1909, she started working for the juvenile division of the Anaheim Police Department (APD) on April 1, 1958, and retired May 1, 1976, then continued working part-time for many years. Peg said she often heard from the young people she helped during that time.
As an Anaheim High student, she remembers participating in the school’s dramatics program and participating in operetta and vaudeville productions. She also played hockey.
In her senior will, a regular yearbook entry in the “old days” of Anaheim High, she wrote: “Discovering my minutes few . . . I bequeath to Zelda Brawn my fairy dancing and my cleverness to Margaret Fitzgibbons; but my love for my freshman friend Clay Bruington, and for chemistry, I shall take with me.”
Peggy will be missed by her fellow Anaheim High grads who treasured her as one of our most classic Colonists.
Anaheim Loses Favorite Son Alex Maese – Class of ’47 Hall of Fame Jockey
June 18, 2012 by
It is with deep regret that the Anaheim High School Alumni Association announces the passing of Class of 1947 graduate and famed jockey Alex Maese.
Alex passed June 14, 2012, from complications following back surgery.
One of Anaheim’s favorite sons, Maese’s devotion to his alma mater never faltered. He faithfully gave back to his school since graduating 65 years ago and often drove several miles from his home at age 83 to attended Anaheim events and reunions, including his last appearance at the February 2012 AHSAA Golf Classic.
Beginning with his time as an AHS football player under Dick Glover, the energetic Maese enjoyed a long and distinguished career in sports. A professional jockey who raced in the Kentucky Derby, he was introduced to the equine world by a boyhood pal. This happened in the 1940s at a time when Alex was waiting for a promised growth spurt. He wanted to parley his career as an Anaheim High single-wing tailback to the college level. In an era when a really big high school player was 200 pounds, Maese hit his ceiling at 5-4, 120 pounds, keeping him from his goal.
Maese’s destiny was sealed when a family friend who owned horses urged him to try riding. It was no instant love match between Alex and horses. As he said in one of many newspaper interviews he gave during his career: “At the time, I had never been around horses, never ridden one and had no desire to do so again.”
But, after earning his license as a hot-walker with the Del Mar in the barn of trainer Bill Motler, Maese worked his way into a saddle and established a lengthy, rewarding association with the beasts he once scorned.
Not yet a full-fledged rider, Maese his took first win in 1952 aboard Broker’s Clerk. He went on to amass more than 2,000 wins in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He made 18,571 starts as a jockey, won 1,981 times and accumulated earnings of nearly $9 million. He hit the heights as the regular rider of Terry’s Secret in 1965 when he won the $125,000 Hollywood Derby.
On the ride of his life, the following year Maese was honored with the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which has been presented by Santa Anita since 1950 to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey in North America who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct, on and off the racetrack.
Maese was known as a leader among track jockeys and employees. He helped solve disputes among riders and built camaraderie among riders by forming jockey football, basketball and softball teams. One of his most successful efforts was the creation an all-jockey football team that raised thousands of dollars for Little League, Pop Warner and numerous other causes.
At the age of 53, Maese made his last competitive appearance as a rider at Gates Fields in 1981. A mount slammed Maese’s leg into the starting gate, fracturing a femur and providing amble reason for the retirement Alex had already been considering.
While his riding career ended, he stayed involved with the equine world and devoted his time and talents to his community by participating in numerous golf tournaments and other charitable events. He will be greatly missed by his Colonist classmates.
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- Top AHS varsity football player at 102 pounds
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- Alex with Mickey Flynn at OC Hall of Fame ground break ceremony
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- Alex and fellow jockeys, including his good friend Willie Shoemaker at right
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- Alex after winning ride.
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- Alex in his junior year at Anaheim Union High School in 1947
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- Colonist Football hudle with Alex Maese
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- Alex (far right) with Willy Shoemaker (seated) and other jockeys
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- Alex with Santa Anita jockeys
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- Alex warming up for AHS track meet.
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- Alex on Colonist Bee basketball team.
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- AHS letterman certificate from 1945
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- Alex with his wife and five children
TIME LINE:
May 14, 1929 – Alex is born in Anaheim.
1947 – Alex graduates from Anaheim High School, where he was an exceptional Colonist Letterman as a star football and award-winning track athlete. He also played on Colonist Championship Bee Basketball Team. Small but mighty, Alex is a key player on the ’46 Varsity Football Team as a kicker. After graduating, he comes back to AUHS to coach the Colonist “B” and “C” football squads.
The following is an excerpt from a newspaper article about Maese written by John Daniel in 1946:
“Alex Maese, diminutive back for the Colonists, is posting quite a problem for Dick Glover and the coaching staff. It seems that Maese weights only 110 pounds, though a senior, and therefore should be playing on the Cee squad. But Maese has an educated toe, which was tutored for many hours this past summer by Ben “Aggie” Agajanian who is still booting them for the Hollywood Bears. (Note: Agajanian also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.) Maese is so good at putting the ball through the uprights that he kicked three points after touchdowns against Colton last Friday. Such a kicker is a handy man to have around, as many games are decided by the extra point. But whether to keep Maese on the varsity as a field goal kicker or else release him to the Cee team on which he should play to his size is the question that must be answered by the coaching staff.
Though Maese, himself, may have answered the problem last Friday night in a play that had nothing to do with kicking the ball. Glover sent him in during the third period when Anaheim had the ball down near the Colton line. Maese, who is one of the fastest men out for football at the school, was supposed to, according to plan, take the ball on a quick opening play and run through the line. Instead, quarterback Bill Koontz called for himself to carry the ball. Therefore it was up to Maese to throw all of his 110 pounds against some opposing husky tackle to clear a path for Koontz. Maese was game; he made the block and Koontz ran off tackle for the third touchdown. So perhaps Maese earned the right to remain on the varsity.”
1952 – Begins career as a jockey. His small stature, along with natural athletic ability, lead to a long and successful career.
Sept. 15, 1952 – Rides his first winner at Pomona Fair Grounds aboard a horse named Broker’s Clerk.
Oct. 3, 1954 – Alex wins six of nine races at San Diego’s Caliente Race Track. His top mounts include Mr. Grumpy, Francia, Little Pick, Republican Day, Caelia and Khal Me Gold.
Dec. 5, 1954 – Alex sets new riding record for 50 wins at Caliente.
Aug. 1, 1959 – Alex wins The Arlington Futurity riding TV Lark.
1959 – Alex wins the 14th George Woolf Memorial Handicap at Caliente.
1960 – Stakes Champion – Coming up the ladder at Caliente, Maese leads all other jockeys in stakes on California tracks, with a total of 13.
May 5, 1961 – Alex rides Ronnie’s Ace in Kentucky Derby and finishes in the middle of the pack. In another Derby Race, Maese rides Sea Orbit, the grandson of famed thoroughbred Sea Biscuit. Though not nearly as famous as his grandfather, Sea Orbit was the only one of Sea Biscuit’s 108 foals to have a successful racing career.
1964 – Wins Del Mar Futurity (second win) with Terry’s Secret. Del Mar Jockeys’ Roll of Honor.
July 26, 1965 – Riding Terry’s Secret, Alex wins the $81,000 purse at Hollywood Park’s Sunset Handicap.
1965 – Riding Terry’s Secret, Alex wins the Hollywood Derby for a $125,000 purse.
1966 – Alex is honored with the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.
Jan. 1, 1966 – Alex wins the Santa Anita New Year’s Day $25,000 Malibu Stakes riding Terry’s Secret.
1966 – Terry’s Colt is fatally injured at Hollywood Park the following year while training for the Gold Cup. Maese had ridden Terry’s Secret in every race the horse ever ran, believed to be some sort of a record for a jockey.
1966 – Poltex Stable’s Carl Roles, Terry’s trainer for whom Maese always rode, dies.
Nov. 25, 1967 – Alex wins Bay Meadows Handicap riding No Host.
Jan. 18, 1970 – Alex wins The Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise riding Olympus Drive.
1981 – Injured at Bay Meadows, Alex retires after 29 years as a jockey at age 52.
1986 – Alex is inducted in the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame.
2012 – Alex passes away June 14 from complications following surgery.
While there are many other achievements that could be listed, an article in a scrapbook kept for Alex by his wife Rosemary, captures the essence of this outstanding Colonist:
A BOY NAME MAESE
There was an Anaheim High School quarterback by the name of Alex Maese. He was slight and light as football players go. He never weighed more than 120 but his coach, the late Dick Glover, said Alex had the courage of a 250-pound linebacker. Maese knew he was too light for college football but he loved sports so much he looked around for some way to stay in them. He became a jockey. It wasn’t easy. A jockey just doesn’t start riding horses at the tracks. Alex came up the usual hard way – cleaning out stables, exercising horses. Eventually he became of the better riders on the West Coast. He became the jockey of a colt by the name of Terry’s Secret. No other boy ever rode Terry’s Secret. Maese won the $75,000 Del Mar Futurity on Terry’s Secret and then the Hollywood Derby for $125,000. Obviously the horse had a future in the handicap ranks. But one day during a routine workout, Terry’s Secret stumbled, fell and broke his leg. Maese went over his head but escaped serious injury. The horse ambulance came. Some how they got the stricken animal on board. When they did Alex Maese got in the van too. Late some of the other riders admonished Alex Maese, saying, “You’ve been around horses long enough to know that was dangerous.” Alex replied: “Yes, I knew that but Terry has been good to me and I wanted to be with him on his last ride.”
