Obituary for Roy Anthony Abbanat, MD July 27, 1940 – October 31, 2024 Roy Abbanat was born on July 27, 1940, in Biwabik, Minnesota. At age seven, his family moved to California, seeking greater opportunities for him and his older brother, Jerry. The brothers shared a close bond, spending their youth attending operas by bus, working at a local pharmacy during high school, and helping at home...

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Kimberly Ann Kaford Avon, after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 58, has died. She was 66 years old. Kim was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, as well as a treasured friend to many. Kim, known affectionately as “Kimmy,” had an infectious smile with which she spread her boundless joy and w...

George’s biggest passions were his faith, his family, music and serving others. He was a humble, down-to-earth guy who preferred shorts and flip-flops and always took time to say hello or stop and help a stranger. A 39-year resident of Pleasanton, George had a heart for wounded military veterans, even visiting many at Bethesda Naval Hospital. In 2013, inspired by those visits, he organized a ben...

J. Jack Bras, a resident of Pleasanton for 60 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on November 9, 2024. Jack was born outside Okema Oklahoma on the eve of the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression. His parents brought him and his younger twin brothers to California in 1936, where they worked picking cotton and grapes. He frequently mentioned that his childhood was s...

Jim Brittain, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on January 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on September 14, 1934, in Oakland, California, Jim lived a full and vibrant life, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Jim attended Castlemont High School in Oakland before fate brought him to Diane, the l...

Paul Calhoun (Pleasanton resident for 29 years) passed away peacefully in Brentwood on December 16, 2024, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was lovingly surrounded by family. Paul is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sharon, children Paula (Benitez) and Kevin, son-in-law Perry, daughter-in-law Molly (Fourie), and granddaughters Luella, Sophie, and Madeline. A Bay Area ...

Frances Irene Cassell, 86, of Campbell, Ca., passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 5, 1937 in Leavenworth Kansas, Frances was a beacon of kindness, strength, and positivity throughout her life. Frances married William J. Cassell in college, moved to the Bay Area to teach and Bill to attend Stanford Grad school. They eventually resided in Los ...

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Tracy Chiaramonte-Schmidig, a beloved mother, daughter, sister, and friend, who left this world on Friday November 15th 2024. Tracy’s spirit was one that truly lit up any room, bringing laughter and joy to everyone she met. Known for her infectious sense of humor and larger-than-life personality, Tracy lived life to the fullest, embracing e...

It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of our beloved mother, Donalyn Rees Cowden. Donalyn passed away peacefully with family by her side on Aug. 21,2024. Born in Colombus, Ohio, Donalyn spent many happy years growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with her parents Merlin and Mildred Rees, and sisters, Maralyn and Karen. She married Wayne Cowden in1952 and together they were able ...

Barbara Jean Davis, 78, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on November 15, 2024, in Manteca, CA. Barbara was born March 31, 1946, in Berkeley, CA, to parents, Donald and Angeline Willmes. When Barbara was a young child, her family moved to California and eventually made the Central Valley her home. She was a resident of Danville, Tracy, and Manteca for the past 49 years. When Barbara’s ...

John F. Dowling, age 91, of Pleasanton, CA passed away peacefully on November 28, 2024. He will always be remembered as a faithful servant of God, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and avid sports fan. John was born on March 20, 1933 to John and Marie Dowling of Drexel Hill, PA. He attended West Catholic all boys high school and later attended Lasalle University where he earned a d...

Anthony “Coach Tony” Echavia was a lifelong Pleasanton resident who was most often pictured with a sunglasses tan, standing at third base, waving someone in to score with a big smile on his face. The only thing to eclipse his love for coaching was his love for his wife Ann, son Michael, daughters Kathryn and Christina, son-in-law Zane, daughter-in-law Katie, and dog Mysti. Coach Tony passed aw...

Dorothea Ruth (nee Desens) Fournier, 94, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Palm Springs, CA. She was born April 4, 1930, in Oswego, NY to Carolyn Isabelle (nee Alton) and George Milton Desens. She grew up with 3 sisters and attended Oswego public schools, where she graduated early with a full scholarship to Northeastern University in Boston, MA In 1947, when she was 17, she was voted Miss Valenti...

Resident of Mission Viejo, Dolores Fox Ciardelli died peacefully nearly 3 years after a diagnosis of breast and brain cancer. Her daughter Zoe held her hand one last time shortly before she died. She will be missed and remembered for her kindness, charm, elegance, and her motto “it’s a good life if you don’t weaken”. She loved writing, reading, travelling, her family, and staying in touch ...

Donna Dale Hart passed away peacefully on Sept. 21, 2024 in Livermore at the age of 92. Donna was born Dec. 26 1931 in San Francisco. Donna was married to the love of her life Merrill for 68 years before his passing in 2020. Donna and family moved to Pleasanton in 1967 where she became a school bus driver in 1973 for almost 45 years, Donna drove the last 20+ years driving special needs kids, whi...

James Patrick Hart, an Oakdale resident for nearly 40 years, passed away peacefully at his home after a short battle with cancer. He was 69 years old. Jim was born in Castro Valley, California in 1955. He was the third of seven kids born to Tom and Mary Hart. The family moved to Pleasanton, California in 1964. He graduated from Amador Valley High School in 1973. After high school, Jim atten...

Edward August Heuer III passed away on October 14, 2024 in Pleasanton, California, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on February 26, 1951, in Yankton, South Dakota. His family moved to Downey California in 1961, where he grew up, met and married his high school sweetheart. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Holly, 3 children, Jennifer (Srouji), Paul and Christopher Heuer a...