Santa Clara Magazine

Willys Irvine Peck J.D. ’69, a lifelong Saratogan, passed away on April 16. He was 89.

He was born August 21, 1923, and through the years became an iconic representative of the World War II generation. His spaciousness of soul was nourished in the orchards bordering his first childhood home; his character honed itself through the jobs he picked up around town, delivering magazines and groceries, cleaning houses, and getting up at 2 a.m. on Sundays to start the furnace in the church. Many of his adult passions were seeded in his youth. The printer's ink in his blood flowed from his newspaperman father, Llewellyn Peck, and his love for the witty and elegant turn of phrase came both from his father and his mother Lida, who was dedicated to good literature and writing. Willys considered himself a lucky man. A veteran of WWII, he was a member of the 20th armored division, one of three divisions credited by the U.S. army with the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp in 1945. Yet he felt lucky to have entered the war late enough to return home unscathed. His next big stroke of luck was his marriage to Betty Ruth Wesson in 1952. Their home in Saratoga, with its giant oaks and the creek running behind the house, gave them the space to build a magical environment, with an amphitheater for producing theatrical events, a railroad that circled the house, a train station, blacksmith shop, and printing museum complete with linotype. An avid hand-press printer, Willys was a member of the San Jose Printer's Guild. He was passionate about theater, trains and the written word. He was an author, a playwright and a poet. Willys graduated from UC Berkeley in 1949 and began his career as a journalist for the San Jose Mercury News (for a tribute from that paper, read here) as a copy editor and assistant city editor. Years later he wrote a column for the Saratoga News. In 1962 he graduated from Santa Clara Law School and practiced law until returning to the Mercury where he continued to work on the city desk even after his official retirement in 1989 for a total of 55 years. Active in preserving his town's history, Willys was involved in the Saratoga Historical Foundation and Museum, Montalvo's Phelan Library, and the California History Center. He was a member of the Saratoga Men's Club and the Saratoga Federated Church where he was christened when "both he and the Julia Morgan Chapel were new." Involved in his community, he served on many local boards including the West Valley-Mission Community College District Foundation. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty, two children, Bill Peck of Santa Clara and Anna Rainville of Saratoga, two granddaughters, Sarah and Merina Rainville, and son-in-law, Don Rainville. 

Ron McGee '62 passed away on July 21, 2011 after a full life of love and affection of family and friends. Born and raised in San Francisco, a graduate of Riordan High School, class of '58, and Santa Clara University, class of '62. Ron was a natural athlete that wore #22 on the basketball floor for the Broncos. After graduating from Santa Clara, Ron went into the family beer business, Santa Clara Valley Distributing. For over three decades, he worked alongside family and friends before retiring. He also enjoyed coaching his daughter's basketball, softball and soccer teams. And was an avid golfer. Family and friends will remember Ron for his quick sense of humor, great kindness, and devotion to his family and friends. No one could deliver a punch-line like Ron! He will always be remembered as the "Irish Godfather" in an Italian family. Ron is survived by wife of fifty years, Karen, daughters Shannon and Erin (Ward Palmer), four grandchildren, and two brothers. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kelli.

Philip D. Abel ’62 of Winnetka, Calif., passed away Sept. 13, 2011.  He is survived by his wife, Patricia Abel, and children Jeffrey, Diane, Anthony, and Stephanie.

Marvin Coit '62, MBA '66 was born on September 19, 1937 in Oakland and passed away on July 1, 2011 in Monterey at the age of 73. He was predeceased by his father, Frank R. Coit and mother, Ruby. He attended schools in Mendota, Carmel, Oakland and graduated from High School at San Rafael Military Academy in 1955. He attended Santa Clara University and left school after his first year and served as a U.S. Marine Corps during the 1957 Lebanon Crisis and was stationed in Okinawa for two years. After his honorable discharge he returned to Santa Clara and graduated with a BA degree in 1962. He lost his wife, Roberta to cancer 3 months after his daughter Kelley was born. In 1964, Marv moved back to San Jose and returned to Santa Clara University and received his MBA degree in 1966.  After graduation he returned to Coit Ranch in 1966 to work with his father. In 1975 he established his own farming operation, Marv Coit Inc. on his Mendota Property and became a very successful and well respected farmer on the Westside of Fresno County. Throughout his 40 years of farming he grew various crops including cotton, tomatoes, almonds, pistachios, and much more. He was a great surfer and spent many afternoons on the water near Santa Cruz while attending Santa Clara. He was a passionate sportsman and retained an instinctive love for hunting and fishing. As a young man, he hunted deer and quail on his father's cattle ranch in Gilroy Mountains. He loved bird hunting and once was a member of several Duck Clubs in the Firebaugh/Los Banos area.  Marvin is survived by his daughters Kelley Coit Mauro of Colorado; Amy Coit of Santa Cruz; sons Mark and Mitchell Coit of Los Banos, Calif.; his son Michael Coit of Mendota, Calif.; granddaughter Bridget McNair, grandsons Brandon McNair of Lafayette, Colo.; Michael Mauro of Denver; great-granddaughter Izzebelle McNair Fielder of Colorado; sisters Penelope Schreiner of Kaneohe, Hawaii; Dayle Schmiederer and her husband Jim of Frenso, Calif.; his brother Bill Coit '64, MBA '66 and his wife Kathy of Fresno; his sister Julie Coit of South Lake Tahoe; and his brother Norris Coit of Genoa, Nev. Marvin was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, American Legion, and VetsFirst.

Laurence Francis Hearne ’56, M.S. '62, 78, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 18, 2012. He was born on December 28, 1933 in San Mateo, to Irene and Laurence Hearne. Larry spent much of his childhood in King City, CA. He went to high school at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University. After 19 years as an engineer and manager at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale, CA, Larry returned to King City to join the family business, L. A. Hearne Company, serving the agricultural community. After retirement, Larry spent his time in Tionesta, CA, Klamath Falls, OR, and most recently Redding, CA. Larry gave freely of his time. He participated in and held leadership roles in many volunteer organizations including Rotary Club (president), Knights of Columbus (Grand Knight), King City Planning Commission, Mee Memorial Hospital Board (president), AARP Tax Aid, Oregon Master Gardeners Association (treasurer then president), Lava Beds Natural History Association (board chairman), and Klamath Basin Fish & Wildlife Association (charter member). His efforts were key in the acquisition and management of a Wildlife Conservation Grant that facilitated preservation work at Camp Tulelake. Larry had many hobbies that he developed and nurtured over the years. He was a builder, gardener, and mechanic. He enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, and restoring his Ranchero. He was also a pilot and delighted in riding his Harley. Larry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia, his children, Maureen Beresini of Moss Beach, Laureen Lane of Nevada City, Timothy Hearne of Dublin, Patrick (Quinn) Hearne of San Francisco, Phillip Hearne of Whiting, IN, and Kevin Hearne of Chatham, NJ, sister Patricia Guidici Arena of King City, brothers Dennis Hearne, Frank (Mickey) Hearne, and Timothy Hearne, all of King City, and twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen Gaisford. Larry was a wonderful and loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend to all. Special thanks to friend Hal Williams and the excellent doctors and staffs at Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospice, and Comfort Keepers in Redding for their compassionate care and support of Larry and his family in recent months. 

John Vincent Regan '62 MA '63  on March 12, 2010, after many months of fighting against complications that arose from his Myeloma treatment. His 69 years were filled with a passion for art and cooking, reading voraciously, writing children''s books, birdwatching and daily walks with his wife through their suburban DC neighborhood. He will be missed by his wife, Lauren; his children, Cindy Salavantis (Pete), John (Stacy), James, and Elizabeth; his grandchildren, Molly and Julia; his brother and two sisters; and the many friends and neighbors who loved him well.

James Gilbert Lea J.D. '62, resident of Sunnyvale, passed away on March 27, 2010 at the age of 78, at Villa Fontana, in San Jose, Calif., after a long battle with heart disease. He is survived by Ana Bruch and her children Carlos, Florence, and Hans, and Florence's son Jaime. Jim was born in Little Rock Arkansas, grew up in Seattle, Washington, and graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Real Estate and Finance. He received a J.D. From Santa Clara University, maintained his law office in Sunnyvale, and practiced law in the San Jose area. He was married to Barbara Lea and lived in Los Gatos before divorcing and moving to Sunnyvale. Jim was a great runner in the 1950s and set the World's Record at 45.8 seconds in the 440 Yard Dash at the Modesto Relays in 1956. He also went on to represent the United States Air Force Track Team in Europe and to coach a fledgling track team at Santa Clara University while attending law school. He served on the Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Board, was a member of the Santa Clara County Republican Central Committee, and taught Real Estate Law at West Valley College in Saratoga for several years. Jim loved beach volley ball and sailing on his boat in the Santa Cruz Bay.