Bill Gattenby, BHS '56 (1939-1994)

William "Bill" Gattenby

June 22, 1939 - November 29, 1994

FIND A GRAVE Link

Bill was born to William and Hilda Gattenby in Lawrence Massachusetts. In the 1950 census, it shows the family lived in Burbank California on Chestnut Street and Bill had an older sister, Ella and a younger sister, Lois. He married Liz Ransom in 1975 and they lived in Lake Havasu Arizona when he died. She passed away in 2024.

Bill Maxham, BHS '56 (1939-2025)

 

William Robert Maxham 

May 24, 1939 - June 1, 2025

William R. Maxham was born on May 24, 1939 in Cottonwood, Alabama to Virginia and Ransom Maxham. 

“Bill” attended Burbank High School and graduated in 1956. He was the Quarterback for the Varsity Football team. 

After graduating high school, Bill served in the Army National Guard. Later, Bill worked as an Assistant Cameraman for the Film Industry. He also was a photographer and became an accomplished Batik Artist. He was given the color formula for Batik from a famous Batik Artist in Malaysia and went on to produce his very own Batik pieces of Art. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Virginia and Ransom Maxham, his sister Martha Maxham in 2002 and his brother, Major Benjamin Maxham in 2012. 

He is survived by his son Christopher Burt, his daughter, Cuinn Maxham and his stepson, Gram Burt, grandsons, Kyle and Ryan Burt and his twin brother and sister, Harold Maxham (BHS ’63) and Mary Maxham Healey (BHS ’62). 

A Celebration of Life will be held for Bill on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Stevenson Ranch, at the home of Harold Maxham’s daughter, Linda Klein. Please contact Harold Maxham or Mary Healey for the time and directions.

 

 

Sandra Brown Parkes, BHS '56 (1938-2024)

 

Sandra Howell Brown Parkes

October 3, 1938 - January 21, 2024

We just learned that Sandra Brown Parkes, BHS '56, passed away in 2024. She is the older sister of Steve Brown, BHS '64, who passed away in January 2025. They have a younger sister, Mary Brown Williams from the BHS Class of 1967. Their parents were Steve and Grace Brown.

Bill Murray, BHS '56 (1938-2024)

 

 

  William "Bill" Joseph Murray

March 4, 1938 – December 21, 2024

Bill Murray was born and raised in Burbank.  He attended George Washington elementary school, John Muir Junior high and graduated from Burbank high in the class of 1956.  

During his life, Bill liked to water ski on the Colorado river and sometimes race his flat bottom ski boat, ride dirt bikes all around the California deserts, halibut fish out of Marina del Rey, restore old cars and stream fish and camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  

Bill was a long time member of the Road Kings car club and attended almost every car show, he restored 3 classic cars and was happy to show them off. For many, many years he could be seen daily at the Burbank Athletic club and Noah’s bagels.  Bill and his wife of 50 years, Dorothy moved to the Reno, Nevada area in July of 2024 to be closer to family.  Bill passed away at home, surrounded by his family.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and mostly by those who love him.  

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his daughters Terry and Andrea and his granddaughter, Hannah.

His parents and siblings have proceeded him in death. Parents, Harold Murray, Lala Murray.  Siblings,  Jack Murray and Joanne Anderson.  

 

Carole Mall, BHS '56 (1938-2024)

Carole Mall Obituary 

Carole Suzanne Mall, 85, of San Diego, California, passed away on February 26, 2024, in San Diego, California. She was born on November 4, 1938. 

Carole was a beloved school teacher at Alpine Elementary, known for her friendly, outgoing, and warm personality. Outside of her career, Carole pursued her passions as an avid photographer, outdoorswoman, and nature lover. She found joy in capturing the beauty of the world around her through her lens. 

Carole is survived by her children Theresa Russell, Denise Woodcock, Mitchell Paup, Charles Ehrlich, and Sharon Ehrlich, her brother Larry Mall, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Walter Baylor Mall and Lois Mall, her brother Richard Mall, and her sister Lois Mall.

Carole will be deeply missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Sierra Club in memory of Carole Mall.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on May 5, 2024.

Sandra Hugie Snyder, BHS '56 (1938-2023)

Sandra Lee Hugie Snyder

December 9, 1938 - February 14, 2023

  ·

Les Hugie posted this today on Facebook...

 

It saddens me to report my sister Sandra Snyder,  formally, Hugie, died unexpectedly on 2/14. I believe she was in the class of 56.

John Swinney, BHS '56 (1938-2022)

John Paul Swinney 

October 20, 1938 - June 9, 2022 

Clyde Richards posted on Facebook June 10. 2022... 

I have very sad news to report. John Swinney, a 1956 graduate of Burbank High School has passed away. He was 83 years old. He died yesterday.

RIP John. 

LINK TO FIND A GRAVE

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/240540321/john-paul-swinney

Dixie Lee Richards Naylor, BHS '56 (1938-2022)

Dixie Lee Richards Naylor

February 7, 1938 - May 10, 2022

 

 

Today Stella Hoefflin posted this sad notice on Facebook...

Tom Winning, BHS '56, Passed Away April 19, 2022

 

Bruce Fossler just posted this on Facebook... 

Sorry To Report The Passing of Tom Winning..Class of 56. Tom passed away in his sleep on April 19..Rest In Peace… Bulldog…Tom lived his entire life in Burbank…Nice ..Gentle man… 

RIP Tom.

Gary Casella, BHS '56, Passed Away

Geno Munari posted this sad note on Facebook today... · 

"Sorry to write about the passing of my cousin Gary Casella. Former BHS graduate. There was an article a few years ago about his yearly sales of Christmas trees at Burbank High."

Photo from article: "Casella’s Christmas Trees gets first tree delivery. 

Harry Avetisyan, 16, brings a Christmas tree to Gary Casella, the owner of Casellas Christmas Trees in Burbank in back of Burbank High School on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. Casellas has sold trees in Burbank for 75 years. 

(Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)"

RIP Gary.  

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

Mary Joan Swartzbaugh
I’m so sad hearing this news. I started Jordan Junior High School with Gary 1950. Then we both went to BHS and were in the class of 1956. He MC’d our 50th reunion too. He was such a great guy. Always so friendly. My mother knew his dad from shopping at Casella’s market for years and years. Condolences to his family. A very sad loss for the Bulldog family. God Bless you Gary

• 
  
Donna Jonkey
Loved having Gary on the BHS campus selling his Christmas trees. He was so generous with scholarships for BHS students. He will be missed !

• 
  
Peggy Melton Cyphers
So sorry to hear this.
RIP Gary
• 
  
• Mary Boriso Jordan

  So very sorry to hear. May God comfort his family. Rest in peace, Gary...
• 
  
Vicki Herrin Fields
Rest in Peace
• 
  
Loanne Walker Ginchereaux

• 
  
Patricia Sorley
Rip

Carol Lundquist Thompson, BHS '56 (1938-2002)

Carol Ann Lundquist Thompson
November 26, 1938 - August 11, 2002

Carol was the daughter of Carl and Anne Lundquist. She grew up in Burbank. California, with her siblings Bud, Dick, Barbie and Gary on Angeleno and BelAire. She graduated from Burbank High in 1956. She married Les Thompson on May 7, 1960 and they had three children, Cindy, Les and Randy.

Carol was 63 years old when she died.



FIND A GRAVE LINK
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116007226/carol-ann-thompson

Richard Lee Speak, BHS '56 (1938-2017)

Richard Lee Speak

Richard Lee Speak, 79, of Wesport passed away on Dec. 25, 2017. He was born to Paul Richard Speak and Helen N. (Clark) Speak on Aug. 19, 1938, in Denver, Colo.

Richard relocated to Burbank, Calif., graduating in 1956 from Burbank High School.

On Sept. 13, 1957, he enlisted in the Air Force and spent one year in Korea. He was honorably discharged on Sept. 12, 1960.

Richard married Frances Oralene (Red) Speak in Reno, Nev. on April 29, 1979, they later moved to Westport.

Richard was an electrician for the Sybron Company (MDT) for 30 years in Rochester, N.Y., retiring in 1994.

He was a 56 year member of the Elks Club in Federal Way, Wash. and Roseville, Calif., where he was a PER, exalted ruler, trustee and chairman of the board. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post #3057.

Richard enjoyed bowling, traveling in his motorhome, fishing in the ocean and his dogs Rosie and Katie

Richard is survived by his wife Frances (Red) of Westport; sons John Brian Speak of Auburn, Calif. and Steve Howard Speak of Placerville, Calif.; step-sons James William Dudley of Sacramento, Calif. and Michael Elmo Dudley of North San Juan, Calif., and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty McWatters.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to PAWS of Grays Harbor or Harbor Rescue.
https://www.southbeachbulletin.com/obituaries/richard-l-speak/

Tom Kettering, BHS '56 (1938-2013)

(please scroll down for updates)
Today received the following news from Alan Landros...

Hi,

Tom Kettering passed away yesterday (Saturday, June 8), about 8:00 A.M., after he fought cancer for the last ten years.  His funeral is tentative for this Thursday, but no definite details yet.  Thought I'd pass this along, since you will remember that Tom has headed up the Southern Section Bulldogs lunches each month in Oceanside.  On our list of attendees for that lunch in May, which would have been May 13, it shows Tom and his wife, Diane, were there.

Alan

Then I found this about Tom...

Tom Kettering

http://roseseleganceinwood.com/roseseleganceinwood/index.php/component/content/article/43-artists/tom-kettering/49-tom-kettering

Tom Kettering is a native of Burbank, CA, born in 1938.  His grandfather and great-grandfather were both finish carpenters before power machinery.  Tom's grandfather told him at the end of his career in 1947, that the young men were loosing the ability to put out good quality work.  Tom has always loved working with wood; in high school, he finished second for a woodwork scholarship to a local community college.  Instead, in 1957, he enrolled in Los Angeles Trade Technical College as a Tool and Die major, graduating with an A.A. degree.

Tom built dies for the government for six years before accepting a job with The Walt Disney Company, working there for the next thirty years.  He helped build the original "Small World", "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln", and "G.E. Carousel of Progress" for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.

After retiring in 1993, Tom and his wife bought a motorhome; it was during their travels that his path crossed with a walking stick maker.  This man was giving classes one day a week; Tom enrolled in one of these classes knowing it would be a great hobby for his retirement years.

Tom orders his 'blanks' from many different woods around the United States, his particular favorites are Diamond Willow from Nebraska/Wisconsin/Minnesota/Alaska and from the Smokey Mountains he likes sticks that has been choked by vines, creating a naturally twisted looking stick.

This has been something Tom has enjoyed doing these last eighteen years, having made close to 500 walking sticks and canes.  To quote Tom: "If you are going to be a stick or a cane maker, strive to be the best one; take your time, coming out with a beautifully finished product."

Link to his Walk Sticks: http://roseseleganceinwood.com/roseseleganceinwood/index.php/browse-by-artist/tom-kettering/manufacturer/tom-kettering

JUNE 11, 2013 UPDATE

Hi,

Just fyi.  Service for Tom Kettering will be:

Thursday, June 13, 11:00 A.M.

First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside

2001 El Camino Real

Oceanside, California

In lieu of flowers please make any donations to either First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, or to Vitas Hospice Care at  www.vitascommunityconnection.org

Also, just fyi, the type of cancer that Tom had had for almost 12 years now was Multiple Myeloma.  He had had several bone marrow transplants, and stem cell procedures.  He continued being active up to the last, hiking, walking, and three days before his death was still climbing the stairs to go upstairs.

Alan

JUNE 12, 2013

Burbank Leader Obituary
http://www.burbankleader.com/community/obituaries/tn-gnp-thomas-kettering-january-30-1938-june-8-2013-20130611,0,3664911.story

Thomas Kettering January 30, 1938 - June 8, 2013

Thomas Kettering

June 11, 2013 | 11:27 a.m.

Tom was a Burbank native, moving to San Diego county in 1997, after retiring from a 30 year career with the Walt Disney Company He slipped away quietly in the comfort of family after a 10 1/2 year battle with cancer. Tom has fought this uphill battle with dignity and courage; we’ve all admired his positive spirit. Tom is known for his zest of life, love for his family and friends, his many hobbies and passions.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, son Keith, daughters Kathy Irwin and Michelle Sequeira, two grandchildren (soon to be three), "brother" and "sister" Jonas and Linda Williams and MANY friends.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held Thursday, June 13th, 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, 2001 El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made in memory of Tom, to the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, or to Vitas Hospice, www.vitascommunityconnection.org.