The Memorial Wall

Anthony Micheal "Tony" Vitti, 72, died September 2, 2015, in Newport Beach, California. He was born May 8, 1943, in Stamford, Connecticut to John Terenzio Vitti and Philomena "Fannie" Buzzeo Vitti. He attended St. John's Parochial School and Stamford High School. Tony graduated in the Class of 1965, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, earning a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Tony graduated Summa Cum Laude from the San Fernando Valley College of Law in 1970, finishing first in his class. In addition, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D) to distinguish his years of exemplary service to the California State University Board of Trustees. During his tenure, he served as a Board member, Co-Chair, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was first appointed to the CSU Board by Governor George Deukmajian in 1989 and subsequently reappointed by Governor Pete Wilson in 1997. Tony has been a highly successful practicing attorney since 1971.

An accomplished leader in numerous business enterprises including Legacy Development Company and Golden West Capital Group. Co-founded Commerce Bank in 1979. Established several real estate and financial firms in California including Legacy Financial, Fidelity Financial's subsidiary- Manchester Development Company, Hanover Pacific Bank, and Premier Commercial Bancorp. Drawing upon his extensive legal and business savvy, Tony provided intuitive and trustworthy advice for countless entities. Always impeccably dressed, he had a style all his own. A born leader. a true gentleman, a friend to many, Tony was known for his sensational sense of humor. His battle with Parkinson's was a truly brave and honorable one, void of the complaint.

He is survived by his family, Jan Vitti (Rubel); daughter, Kristen (Justin) Pierce; son, John (Lauren) Vitti; grandchildren, Noah Pierce, Presley Pierce, Stella Vitti, and Jack Vitti (unborn). He is also survived by his brother, Michael Dante of Rancho Mirage, California; sisters, Rose Sette, Yolande Horan, and Carolyn Trachtenburg of Connecticut. Also survived by nephews, Ricky Horan, John Sette, nieces Debbie Ferrer and Mary Sette.

Services will be held October 2, 2015, at 2 PM at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, California

Charles E. (Chuck) Rogers of Palm Desert passed away at home Monday June 8 from complications from Parkinson's with his family by his side. He was born in Aberdeen, WA on June 1, 1929. He lived in Bellevue, WA until he retired as a manufacturer's rep in food service equipment. He moved to the desert in 1993. Everyone who met Chuck loved him. He kept his sense of humor until the end. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Brita, his daughter Karen Anschell (Ed), and sons Fred (Juliann), and Larry, and five grandchildren. A memorial will be held in October.

Missed every day, always loved.

Beloved husband of Joanie. Loving father of Julie Reisman (Scott Feldman) and Lauren (Jeff) Polak. Adored grandfather of Ethan, Alexa and Sophia. Also survived by his brother Cary (Suzanne) Reisman and sister Debra Moldovan.

Robert Lewis Shapiro was born May 6th, 1939 in Ohio and passed away peacefully on March 21st, 2015 in his home in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He is survived by his wife Linda; his daughter, Eden (Steve) Friedman; his son Gregory (Daria) Shapiro; his brother Aron (Judy) Shapiro; his grandchildren Evan, Jake and Nathan.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Parkinson's Resource Organization http://www.parkinsonsresource.org/  or by mail at 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 104, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Gerald (Jerry) Mayerson, 85, passed away on March 6, 2015, at his home in Boca Raton, Florida, surrounded by his loving family. Jerry was born in Dayton, Ohio, on September 3, 1929. He attended Ohio State University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He served in the armed forces during the Korean War. Jerry was a well-respected real-estate developer for many years, and with his long-time business partner and close friend, Allan Rinzler, developed many commercial spaces, shopping centers, office buildings, high-end residential developments, and historical redevelopment projects. In Dayton, Jerry was a member of the Dayton Standard Club, Meadowbrook County Club (where he served as President), B'nai B'rith, Temple Israel, and Beth Jacob Congregation. In Boca Raton, he was a member of Boca Pointe Country Club. He participated in sports of all kinds, winning club championships in tennis and golf. He liked international travel, playing cards, and casino gaming. He was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Mollie Mayerson, sister Pearl Wool, and brother Manuel Mayerson, all of Dayton. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Gail. He is survived also by his brother Melvin (Elaine) of Dayton, and by his three sons: Mickey of Los Angeles, and his children Jordan and Madeline and their mother, Jessica; his son Rick of San Mateo, California, and his wife, Joy, and their sons, Eli and Jared; and Marc of Washington, DC, and his wife Anne and their sons, Aaron, Asher and Noah, as well as many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews, and cousins, in the U.S., Israel, and Mexico. Jerry fought valiantly against Parkinson's Disease for more than two decades, aided principally over his last years by caregiver Daniel Hamilton. His courage is an inspiration to all who loved and knew him. He will be sorely missed. 

Joan Elaine Robin Resident of Rossmor, formerly of Oakland Joan Elaine Robin passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease March 3, 2015. Born in Ross, CA July 10, 1931 to Clarence C. Bennett, Sr. and Angela C. Bennett. Joan lived most of her life in Oakland and then became a resident of Rossmoor – Walnut Creek where she lived for 17 years. Beloved wife of Arthur F. Robin, Jr. Devoted mother of Jilinda and Kimarie Robin. Loving sister to Clarence C. Bennett, Jr. and sister-in-law Ann M. Bennett.

Joan is survived by her children, Jilinda and Kimarie Robin; her brother and sister-in-law Chris and Ann Bennett; her brother-in-law Tom Hayes. Grandchildren Tara, Kendra and Keely Tietjen, and Lisa, Joseph and Sara Cosso.

John Ordner Miller was born on September 21, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois and passed away on February 10, 2015 in Newport Beach, California and is under the care of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Visit his obituary at dignitymemorial.com

Elton Fessier, a World War II vet, honored teacher and coach, passed away at his Whittier home Feb. 4 at age 91. 

He was born to second generation Californians on April 8, 1923, and grew up in Southern California. 

He enrolled in Whittier College in 1941, playing basketball for Richard Nixon's former coach, "Chief" Newman, and playing lead trumpet in the college symphony orchestra and jazz bands. 

He entered Marine officer training in 1943 but, impatient to see World War II action, transferred to the Navy. He became a frogman - the precursor to the Navy SEALs -- learning to hold his breath for three minutes underwater without a wetsuit to disarm bombs. After the war, he served as an MP in China with Army Rangers in the tense days before China's 1949 revolution. Discharged as a lieutenant.

Elton graduated from Whittier College, married Barbara Ericson and began a 51-year teaching and coaching career in Whittier, culminating with Teacher of the Year honors. 

He set up one of the Southland's finest county recreation programs at Sorenson Park, leading his county champion basketball teams to exhibitions during halftime of the NBA finals. 

He helped found the Whittier City Schools credit union, taught Sunday School at Whittier Presbyterian Church and, with his wife Barbara, ran a successful family rentals business in Whittier and Joshua Tree.

His sweet but indomitable spirit also served him in his fight against Parkinson's Disease. When he lost his eyesight and ability to walk, he resumed playing the trumpet. 

His legacy was best summarized in a Whittier Daily News front page story announcing his retirement. A headline under his picture quoted him as saying, "I only want to help people." 

Besides his wife, Elton is survived by his son Bruce and his wife Jane Fessier; daughter Lori and her husband, Mark Gibson; grandsons Eitan and his wife, Hannah; Clay Fessier and Parker Fessier.

February 2, 2015  Fred, a much respected and well known interior designer in Los Angeles, was very talented, a perfectionist, and known for creating stunningly beautiful homes that his clients loved living in. He was raised in College Station, Texas. An honor cadet at Texas A&M University with a degree in architecture, he went on to become a major in the Air Force. He studied at Art Center School in Pasadena, before becoming an interior designer. He loved body surfing, camping, traveling (especially New York, Italy, and Brazil) and being in both natural and man-made beautiful places. For 40 years, he was an amazing, loving, devoted, and fun partner of Art Giser. There will be a memorial/celebration of his life Sunday, June 14. You can contact Art at 415-828-6890 or agiser2@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers the family suggestions donations to Parkinson's Resource Organization as a means of carrying on Fred's legacy.