Tom Branca, BHS '61, Passed Away July 26, 2012

Received the following email today from Pam Kirkwood - may the Lord comfort Tom's family and friends I pray...

Just got word of another BHS loss. Tom Branca '61 was a good friend. He always helped out when we had the BHS/JBHS Alumni Picnics...We kept in touch...His brother Budd Branca, graduated in our BHS Class of '64...

Very sad and shocking...

Pam

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I am sad to report that a fellow 1961 BHS alumni, Tom Branca, passed away suddenly on July 26, 2012. Tom, and his lovely wife, Mira, were residents of Henderson, NV, who recently enjoyed our graduating class' Fiftieth Reunion this past October. We will miss his jolly good humor and his love of all things nostalgic relating to our era. He was also very close to another 1961 alumna, Michele Cottle Bruce, also a Las Vegas resident.

Lynne (Spitza) Michels
Las Vegas
BHS 1961

July 30, 2012 UPDATE

The service will be next Monday, August 6, at 11:00 am, at Saint Francis of Assisi, 2300 Sunridge Heights Pky, Henderson 89052. Phone # 702-914-2175.

There will be a reception following the service at Tom and Mira's home, 1465 Bonner Springs Dr., Henderson, 89052.

Regards, Lynne

August 10, 2012 UPDATE

From Lynne Michels BHS '61...

Just letting you know that I heard from Tom Branca's daughter, Chrissy Lingua. There will be another memorial service for Tom in Burbank, on Sunday, August 26, at 1:00. It will be held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on the corner of Clark and Buena Vista. There will also be a reception at Chrissy's afterwards, at 702 N. Naomi, just about a block away from the church. Chrissy's phone # is 818-563-1710.

Would you please disseminate this information through an email to anyone you think would be interested? I'm not quite sure what Marian Campbell's contact info, so please let her know as well so she can help spread the info.

Thanks,
Lynne Michels

AUGUST 19, 2012 UPDATE

Hi I am Tom's daughter Chrissy Lingua. I have talked and met with so many people in the last few weeks and everyone has been so kind in helping get the information out about my dad's passing. I believe you were contacted on our behalf last week and i'm just following through to be sure the information was given to you.

There is going to be a small memorial service on Sunday August 26 at 1:00

Westminster Presbyterian Church
542 N. Buena Vista St.
Burbank Ca. 91505

After the memorial everyone is invited to my home for a reception.
702 N. Naomi St.
Burbank Ca 91505
818 563-1710

Thank you for all your help with this. My dads passing really caught us so unexpected.

If you have any idea if you have heard of people saying they are going to attend if you could let us know.

Its hard to plan not knowing if there will be 5-50 or 100..

Thank you again for your help

sincerely,
Chrissy Lingua
littleselfishc@yahoo.com

Mark the Date... Aug 6th for Burbank Bulldog Luncheon!

If in town, be sure to come to the monthly Burbank Bulldogs Luncheon.

The next one is MONDAY, AUGUST 6th at the Elks at 11:30am.

The address is 2232 North Hollywood Way.

Cost only $12.

1966 Bill Bass Basketball

Snagged this off of Facebook...

Bill Bass was a coach for the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Service Department Leagues.



Top: #6 Craig White, #10 Rick Nebeker, #9 Steve Young, #5 Tim Zuma Tolney, #8 John Kelly
Bottom: #2 John Deahl, #3 Steve Segal, #7 Dave DeHart, # 1 Jack Flora

What's New with Burbankia?

From Wes Clark, BHS '74... thanks Wes!

7/20/12 - It's Burbank High School Day! Posted 1911 Burbank High School DeLos Wilbur photo, Aerial shot of Burbank High School, 1922, Burbank High School from San Fernando Road, 1920's; Burbank High School entrance.









Also posted Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed plane and Lockheed disguised during World War II (but note the P-38's at the end of Lincoln Street). Finally, posted Corradi music on San Fernando Rd. and Burbank on Parade (San Fernando Rd.), 1950's.

MORE...
http://wesclark.com/burbank/new.html

Senior Bulldog Luncheon Yesterday

L-R: Dave Starleaf '64, Pam Zipfel Kirkwood '64, Sallie Shelton Thomas '68, Carol Brown Baker '67, Catherine (Katie) Hunter Nicholls '38, Jon Kirkwood '64, Carol Nicholls Lebrecht '67, John Coyle '65, George Colvin '65, Cathy Nicholls Coyle '67 and Sam Licursi '64."

"Fun times at the Sr. Bulldog Luncheon yesterday. Here are a few attendees from BHS Classes 64 through 68. Mom was our mascot: Class of Winter '38. She was actually, the most 'Senior' Bulldog alumni there."

Another great pic from Cathy Coyle's Facebook!