Coronado Family Reunion - 1973 - Additional Photos

The previous post described the happy Coronado Family Reunion of 1973 in Napa and provided a photo of seven of the 10 Coronado brothers and sisters who were able to attend.  Catherine McIntosh took the photo and sent me two other photos that she took at the same event, memorializing other relatives who attended.  I remember seeing these photos and others taken at the reunion, but my growing family and I were living on the East Coast and we were not able to attend.

These are the sons and daughters of the "10" who were able to attend the 1973 reunion:

Standing left to right: Robert McIntosh, Paul Orsi, Gary Coronado, Bob Coronado.

Seated left to right: Harrison McIntosh, Helen Coronado Jenkins, Dorothy Coronado McKenna

Robert and Harrison McIntosh are sons of Hess Coronado McIntosh.  Paul Orsi is the son of Marian (Toots) Orsi.  Helen Jenkins is the daughter of Marion (Dutch) Coronado.  Dorothy McKenna is the daughter of Dolph Coronado.

This photo includes the grandchildren of the "10" who were present at the reunion:

I can identify 4 of the 6 people in this photo, but I don't recognize the girl standing on the left or the boy seated in the middle.  Claudia McKenna Moelk is standing in the center with Gerri Eichler Handschumacher next to her on the right.  Seated on the left is Juanita Coronado Lecair and seated on the right is Catherine McIntosh.  [Update: Jim Orsi recently says the girl in the upper left is his sister, Julie Orsi Rus, and the boy in front center is his brother, Jeff Orsi.  Jim, Julie and Jeff are children of Paul and Betty Orsi.]

Claudia is the daughter of Dorothy McKenna and granddaughter of Dolph Coronado.  Gerri is the daughter of Lillian Eichler and granddaughter of Dolph Coronado.  Juanita is the daughter of Marion Coronado and granddaughter of Dutch Coronado.  Catherine is the daughter of Harrison McIntosh and granddaughter of Hess Coronado McIntosh.

This is a more informal photo of the reunion showing the side yard and extent of the tables set up in Helen's yard for the 1973 reunion.

Surrounding the table are Robert & Helen McIntosh, Al Orsi (husband of Toots), Harrison McIntosh, Frank Coronado and Helen Coronado Jenkins.

Coronado Family Gathering - Mother's Day 1935

It was the first Mother’s Day for Louisa Coronado after the September 1934 death of her husband, Mariano Coronado.  Six of her children and five grandchildren were there to help Louisa celebrate the day.  Her brother-in-law, Enos Coronado, was also present as well as spouses and other family members.

All were dressed up for the occasion on that Sunday, May 12, 1935, and my Uncle Jim Coronado, as usual, was the official family photographer.  He must have insisted that before they all sat down to eat their meal of enchiladas, beans and salad at the Coronado family home on the Napa-Vallejo Highway, that they pose for a picture to mark the day.  Gathering all the family and spouses in the back yard of the family home on a bright sunny day, Jim brought out a chair for Louisa to sit in the center, and asked all the family members to gather around with the grandchildren in the front near Louisa.  He set up his Kodak on a tripod and when everyone was ready snapped the following photo:

  

On the left was “Uncle” Enos Coronado, Mariano’s brother, with his hand on his hip.  Marion (Dutch) Coronado stood next to him in the buttoned sweater.  Next was Naomi Coronado, wife of husband, Paul, who is standing next to her in light suit and tie.

Next in line from left to right is my mother, Cecelia Coronado, and my father-to-be, Harold Phipps, the tall guy in the center (they were not yet married in 1935).  Next is Marian (Toots) Coronado Hickey.  Next to Toots is Charlotte Campbell, mother of Dorothy Campbell, and mother-in-law to Frank Coronado (Dorothy and Frank are in the photo on the far right).

To the right of Mrs. Campbell is Juanita Coronado, wife of Jim Coronado, the photographer.  Over Juanita’s shoulder is Frank Hickey, first husband of Toots, and father of Paul and Kathleen.

Gathered around Louisa Coronado, seated in the center, are the grandchildren.  On the right, Juanita, the tall one, is standing in front of her mother; and the twins, Jim and Jane are on the far right and left.  Closest to Louisa is Paul and Kathleen, daughters of Toots and Frank Hickey.

Just after this photo was taken, everyone thought Jim Coronado, the photographer should be included in the gathering – so he stepped into the picture and my father took a second photo.  Then everyone breathed a sigh of relief and resumed socializing, eating and drinking.

In Memoriam - Paul Orsi (1928 - 2017)

It is with great sadness that I report on the death of my cousin and godfather, Paul Orsi, 89, on April 6, 2017 in Ukiah, California.

The son of Marian (Toots) Coronado Orsi, Paul was born March 25, 1928 in Oakland, California.  He grew up with his younger sister, Kathleen, in Calistoga and Forestville, California.  His parents, Albert and Marian Orsi, owned and operated the well-known Skippy’s Hacienda Inn in the redwoods along the Russian River, which offered food, lodging and outdoor recreational activities.  Known for its homemade Italian specialties, the Inn attracted locals, tourists and many film celebrities for its celebrated ravioli and sauce that Skippy (Albert) would make from scratch in the kitchen.  Paul and Kathleen, of course, helped around the Hacienda Inn, but mostly enjoyed swimming and playing in the Russian River after work was done.

Paul served in the U.S. Army in Italy during the post-World War II US occupation from 1946 to 1948.  Returning home, after his discharge from the Army, Paul met the love of his life, Betty Greeott, while he worked a food delivery route in Santa Rosa, California.[1]  They married on April 12, 1953 in Ukiah, California, a grand wedding that I remember attending.

Paul and Betty owned and operated Paul’s Grocery Store in Ukiah near the Ukiah High School, which was a popular lunch stop for the students.  Paul later worked for several local employers in the Ukiah area.

The last years of Paul’s life were marked by the great sorrow of his wife’s illness and death.  Betty passed away in 2015.  His great joy was his five children, Janet Orsi, Jim Orsi, John Orsi, Julie Orsi Rus, Jeff Orsi, nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren and his sister, Kathleen Parker of Sebastopol, California.

Frances and I were blessed to see Paul one last time during the month of February 2017 which we spent in Yountville, during which the 5-year California drought was broken with about 20 days of rain.  One of our brightest moments was our visit to Paul, his family and friends in the assisted care facility in Willits, California.

He was in such great spirits for our visit, having old photo albums available for our review, arranging for pizza to be brought in, and introducing us to all his friends at the home.  Although it was a month before his birthday, his family arranged for a birthday cake and ice cream.  I brought along a slide show on my laptop of historic Coronado family photos and he was thrilled at seeing the pictures.  He gave us a demonstration of his motorized wheelchair, which allowed him to travel outside on his own.

As we were leaving and wishing everyone well, I gave Paul a big hug and instructed him to take care of himself.  He replied that he would and gave me his dazzling smile.  When I stepped to the threshold to leave, I turned around to smile at Paul – he smiled back and gave me a wink.  I didn’t realize at the time that this would be the last time I would see him.

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[1] Some of this information was taken from an online obituary published in the Ukiah Daily Journal on April 16, 2017.

Marian Coronado Remembers - Part Two

This is a continuation of the September 12^th post where cousin Gary Coronado interviewed our Aunt Toots on April 16, 1984 about her early life in the Coronado family in Vallejo, California.[1]

Q. Where did you kids go to school? What was it like?

A. Frank, Celia and I went to Vallejo High.  We also went to Saint Vincent’s.  I can remember walking along the railroad tracks to school.  Our parents made us walk this route because it was safe.  It would take about two hours.  We would stop to meet classmates at Flosden Acres.  After school we would go to visit Jimmy and Juanita[2] on Kentucky Street.  Sometimes, if it was late we would stay overnight.  Most of the time, however, Papa would pick us up in the afternoon and drive us home.  And sometimes, he would drive us to school in the morning.

Q. What special memories do you have? What did you do for family fun? Vacations?

A. The ordinary things that families do.  I loved Christmas.  Because Dolph[3] was a young and successful businessman, he would make things special for us.  He would dress as Santa Claus, dropping off candy, a stack of bananas, oranges, etc.  In particular, he would take great care to see that Celia and I had a special day.

Since the restaurant and bar was part of our home, there was never any mystery to drinking.  Papa would say, “You can have anything you want to drink.”  Celia and I never liked the taste of liquor.  I did, occasionally like the taste of a Creme de Menthe drink.

Jimmy and Juanita would take Papa, Mama, and us to Monterey for a holiday.  We would stay in a hotel.  I also recall travelling to San Luis Obispo for a vacation.

Q. Was our family poor? Wealthy?

A. Well, Gary, Papa was a very able businessman.  The fact was, however, he had ten kids.  He had to be successful in order to provide for us.  Most of our needs were provided for by our ranch.  We had chickens to provide us with eggs, ducks, a milk cow, peacocks, canaries, and a garden.  He also butchered his own meat.

We always had plenty to eat.  We had beans for breakfast, bean sandwich for lunch and more beans for dinner!  That was all right with me because I liked Mama’s beans!

Q. Any particular event in your young life that comes to mind?

A. When I was about fifteen, we had a tragic fire.  It completely destroyed the Inn.  It was caused by defective wiring.  While the Inn was being rebuilt, we had to live in a tent near an orchard.  The new Inn was smaller.  Later, Papa built a home on our property.  It was north of the Inn.

Q. Did you ever go to the Sulfur Springs Hotel[4] to visit our relatives?

A. Indeed.  It was a glorious place.  There was a stage that transported tenants from town.  Manuel Madrid was the owner.  He was a nice, pleasant Spanish man - quiet, soft spoken.  A perfect host and businessman.  He and his wife had a very good business sense.  They were very successful.

They also bottled and sold mineral water that came from the Blue Rock Springs.  It had medicinal qualities.  They shipped it all over the U.S.  It didn’t have a sulfur taste to it.  It really tasted very good!

All of the Madrid family lived on the resort grounds: Babe, Frank and Manuel.  Also the girls, Angelina and Carmelita.

Many “big shots” gathered and stayed there.  Also prize fighters used the hotel and facilities for training.

As kids we often visited for family gatherings - mostly, picnics.  We always enjoyed the excitement of the resort.

Q. What was your first business venture?

A. I opened a restaurant a short distance from Papa's Inn.  It was south of our home, toward Vallejo and on the opposite side of the Napa Road.  It evolved into a good business in a short time.  I called it “Toot’s Barbecue”.  People enjoyed coming for dinner.  I served good, hearty meals.  Twenty-five cents for breakfast!  It was good experience for my future restaurant venture at Russian River.

O. What was Paul like when he was young? Kay? Johnnie Junior?[5]

Toots' daughter, Kay

None of the cousins wanted their picture taken!
Back row: Juanita & John Jr.
Front row: Jane, Jim, Kay, Paul [6]

A. They were all wonderful kids. Paul was the reliable one.  He was very protective.  He would wind the clock and lock all the doors at night. Sometimes, Kay would come home late and not be able to get in!  I had to chase all the boys away from Kay.  We always had to wash Junior’s hands and face.  He liked to play in the dirt!  Mama would not allow him to have dinner until he washed.  They all got along well together.

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[1] Adapted from The Coronado Newsletter, May 1994

[2] James (Jimmy) Coronado was Toots’ brother.  Juanita was Jimmy’s wife.

[3] Dolph Coronado was Toots’ oldest brother.

[4] The Sulfur Springs Hotel was a few miles from the Coronado family property and was owned and operated by Manual Madrid & his wife Angelita Coronado Madrid.  Angelita was the oldest child of Loretto and Guadalupe Coronado and the sister of Mariano Coronado, my grandfather, and Toots’ “Papa”.

[5] Paul and Kay (Kathleen) are the son and daughter of Marian (Toots) Coronado Orsi.  John Junior was the son of John (Doc) Coronado, Toots’ brother.

[6] Juanita, Jane and Jim are children of James (Jimmy) and Juanita Coronado.  John Jr. was the son of John (Doc) Coronado.  Kay and Paul are the children of Toots.  Photo was taken by James Coronado about 1933.

In Memoriam

This is a celebration of the lives of 3 remarkable Coronado family members.  They enriched not only our family but the lives of those around them.  I miss them all.

Harrison McIntosh

In an earlier posting I reported on my cousin Harrison McIntosh, an internationally known ceramicist, who celebrated his 100^th Birthday in September 2014.  We visited him, his wife Marguerite, and his daughter, Catherine, and her family in Claremont, California in October 2014.  We had a wonderful time – it was like a mini family-reunion.  Harrison was in great spirits, clearly remembered a lot of family stories, and enjoyed discussing the details of making ceramics with my son, David.

Harrison died of natural causes on January 21, 2016 in Claremont at the age of 101.

He was born in Vallejo, California, on September 11, 1914.  While in high school in Stockton, California, Harrison and his brother, Robert, developed an interest in art – Robert enjoyed drawing and painting, while Harrison pursued sculpture.  After the McIntosh family moved to Los Angeles in 1937, Harrison set up a studio in his parent’s garage and took ceramics classes beginning in 1940.

HARRISON MCINTOSH
September 11, 1914 - January 21, 2016

Harrison’s education and training was interrupted when he was drafted in 1944.  Around the same time, Harrison’s first wife fell ill and died.

After he was discharged from the Army, Harrison used the G.I. Bill to gain admission as a special student to study ceramics at the Claremont Graduate School.  He met a French student, Marguerite Loyau, while studying at Claremont and they were married in 1952.  In 1958, they built a home in Padua Hills, nestled in the foothills above Claremont, with a pottery studio where Harrison would work for the next 50 years.

Harrison’s work is represented in more than 40 museum collections worldwide and his pieces have been featured in 70 publications.[1]

Betty Orsi

The wife of my cousin and godfather Paul Orsi, Betty Greeott Orsi died peacefully in the presence of her family on October 24, 2015 in Ukiah, California.  She was 83 years old.

BETTY GREEOTT ORSI
April 16, 1932 - October 24, 2015

Betty was born 16 April 1932 in Santa Rosa, California, but grew up in Ukiah, California.  It was in Ukiah that she and Paul met and were married in 1953.  I attended the wedding as a youngster and remember how beautiful Betty was and how Paul was so handsome.  Betty and Paul ran Paul’s Grocery Store in Ukiah.  Later she became Director of Medical Records at Hillside Hospital, now Ukiah Valley Medical Center.  She was actively involved with St. Mary’s of the Angel Catholic Church as organist and, eventually music director.

Betty is survived by her husband of 62 years, Paul; her five children, Janet Orsi, James Orsi, John Orsi, Julie Orsi Rus, Jeffrey Orsi; and 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.[2]

Sister Catherine Pelletier

I was recently informed[3] that my godmother, Sister Catherine Pelletier, had passed away on 6 June 2016 at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland, California at the age of 93.  She was born 2 March 1923 in Fresno, one of seven children.  Catherine grew up in Oakland.  She attended Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, and entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur community in 1943.[4]

SISTER CATHERINE PELLETIER
March 2, 1923 - June 6, 2016

Not only was Sister Catherine my godmother, but my mother was her godmother.  It must have been fate that brought Catherine into the Coronado clan, for her mother walked up to my mother, Cecelia Coronado, in church and asked her – a total stranger – to stand in as the godmother for Catherine’s baptism.  Our lives were intertwined ever since.

Catherine was a Sister of Notre Dame for 73 years.  She taught at several elementary schools for thirty years and after earning a master of library studies degree, served as librarian for Notre Dame High School in San Jose, California, and as librarian for the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California.[5]  I remember visiting Sister Catherine many times over the years and she was always so wonderful to be around.  She attended two of our son’s weddings, one in California and one on the East Coast.

Our world is richer for their lives and poorer with their deaths.

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[1] American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA), 21 Jan 2016, press release; Suzanne Muchnic, Harrison McIntosh, Southland artist who pushed ceramics’ boundaries, dies at 101, Los Angeles Times, January 22, 2016, online obituary.

[2] Funeral memorial booklet for Betty Orsi funeral services, 3 Nov 2015.

[3] Letter from Mary Anne Pelletier Moore, 1 Aug 2016, sister of Sister Catherine Pelletier.

[4] San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Jun 2016, online obituary.

[5] Ibid.