Saturday, December 26, 2020

Peter Laris, BHS Teacher (1925-2020)

Photo from 1965 Burbank High Ceralbus Yearbook 

Sad news... Brandon Coen wrote today, 12/26/2020, on Facebook...· 

Peter Laris, a longtime BHS Spanish teacher passed away earlier this week. My father, class of 66 had kept in touch with him and his family. 

I had Mr Laris for Spanish. He was a great teacher and it was a fun class! 

This photo is of him with fellow teacher, Mr North in 2010. 

FIND A GRAVE Link

Dec 21, 2020 (age 95)

We send our deepest condolences to his family and here are a few Facebook comments: 

  • Peggy Beliveau
    I had him for Spanish in the 10th grade...🙏🏻🙏🏻

    • Mike O'Connell
    Spanish in summer school and 10th grade. Good teacher and a good man.

    • Alan Landros
     I took a similar photo at a Senior Bulldogs luncheon in Burbank, shortly after Mr. Laris and Mr. North had both attended our BHS '70 40th reunion in June 2010. Now both are gone. Peter Laris was 95, since I remember that he was born in 1925. Pete Laris was also scheduled to attend our BHS '70 45th reunion in June 2015. But, a 90th birthday party for his brother-in-law in Orange County came up, and Pete had to go with his wife for that family event instead! Mr. Peter Laris taught with the BUSD for 35 years from 1953 until 1988. He first taught at John Muir Junior High, then Burroughs High, and then from 1960 he taught at BHS for 28 years until he retired in 1988. He taught Spanish, as well as Advanced 3rd and 4th year Spanish. He remained physically fit into later years, jogging two to three miles a day, at least up to 90 years old!
    Brandon Coen
     I remember Pete talked about your dad, Ron, a lot!! He would talk about how Ron needed to concentrate more on his Spanish studies to do better in Pete's classes, then despite all of that, he eventually became an L.A. County Judge!! Pete mentioned that many times! I remember Pete saying how your dad had Pete come to his courtroom and how your dad recognized him as his good friend and long ago teacher!


    • Larry Segall
    Que en paz descanse, Profe.
    Barry Burnett
    Larry Segall
     de veras. Muy buen hombre y amigo de nosotros.

    • Cathy Rehfeld Schwalm
    He taught me Spanish......God speed. Condolences to his friends and family.

    • Sue Flynn
    Had him in ‘60
     
    David De Hart
    Peter Laris became a good friend of mine. I will miss his kindness, wit, wonderful stories and knowledge on jazz and sports. He also loved the symphony. I called him for advice before becoming a teacher. He did not recommend it since it paid so little. It is perhaps the only advise from Pete I did not heed. I modeled my teaching after him. I tried to infuse humor, kindness and rigor into my classroom as did he. For a number of years, his wonderful wife would cook dinner for me and my son, Lucas when we would head to southern California during ski week in February to visit my daughter in college, as my wife traveled in Europe with a group of students. Lucas and Peter shared a great love for jazz and Peter would play some of his favorite songs. On his request, Lucas played for Peter one evening in their home. He loved it. On one summer trip home from a week of body surfing at the beach, our family stopped at his lovely home for an incredible brunch Celia had put together for us. The margaritas were terrific. Peter and Celia were a wonderful and cultured couple who loved one another so much and raised two beautiful daughters. I had Peter for 3 years of Spanish. After returning to school on a Friday night to watch me play basketball, he began calling me El Tigre in class. When our class refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance in protest of the Vietnam War, he listened to our concerns. So he made us a deal, instead he would spend a few minutes reading from a book on democracy by Supreme Court justice William O. Douglas. Peter served as president of his teachers' union as did I, so we traded some funny stories. He told me once a teacher had charged him with some ridiculous claim. When he appeared before the district lawyer and superintendent to defend himself, he explained the woman was at fault for moral turpitude; she was always kissing the principal's ass. Everyone broke into laughter and that was the end of the meeting. I will always remember the night that Peter and his family took me out to dinner at a lovely restaurant in Berkeley years ago on a visit to the bay area. Peter was running around Silver Lake in his 90's as he had done when teaching at Burbank High. He would rise early in the morning to run and after work take a nap to get ready for the evening. He loved his gin and tonics and we would talk often on the phone. Wow, how he would have me in stitches with laughter. I will end on one last story. During WW II, he got lucky and became very ill so he was not shipped to Europe with his other soldiers. Instead, he ended up in Arkansas guarding German prisoners. One day on duty, he saw in the far distance two rabbit ears sticking up above the brush, but not moving. He was a great shot so he took aim and nailed the rabbit that was thrown into the air. Thinking that Peter had shot it on the run, the German soldiers held him in high regard and perhaps a bit of fear from then on. Peter Laris enriched my life in so many ways. I will be forever grateful for our extraordinary friendship. My love to the Laris family, and to you my friend Pete, RIP. Photo: 2015
    Image may contain: 2 people, people standing, plant, tree and outdoor

    • Joan Chandler
    I had Mr Laris for Spanish at BHS also. He was a great teacher! May he now Rest In Peace. Sending condolences to his family and friends.

    • Theresa N. Todd
    Best Spanish teacher ever! I had him and just loved him and his sweet smile and soul. I was forever touched by him. I just adored him and always looked forward to his class everyday! He always took the time to explain to me, even after class. I told him I wanted to learn Spanish cuz every time I would go visit my grandparents for the summer my grandfather would wip out his Spanish dictionary and I wanted to be able to converse and practice with him. And, little did I know that my 1st husband would be hispanic and I would be moving to Guadalajara Mexico for the next 10 years. So happy I took Spanish for those 3 years to have had a base and foundation to build on. Brazos y besos Senor Laris. Prayers for your beautiful family! You will never be forgotten! Xoxo 🙏💙🙏 My nickname from him, Traviesa! 

    • Terri Fall
    More than language, he gave life and art and music, and a dry wit. Mr Laris touched your heart and then your life. Condolences to his family.

    • Julie Fioravanti
    Not only was he a great Spanish teacher but he was a fantastic role model for teachers, in general. He was funny, witty, and wildly patient. I've always had fond memories of Senior Laris.

    • Ron Duncan
    I had him in 9th grade at Muir.

    • Steve Hollingshead
    Little did I know back in 72-74 while I was en la clase de español del Profesor Laris that my life would involve Spanish, I might have been a better student. One memory from his class was the song “Bésame” which I play for my Spanish classes every year. I have spent the past 45 years teaching Spanish as a missionary, in the military and in public education!! Qué le vaya bien con los ángeles profe!!
     
    Susan Brown Harris
    I remember singing Besame Mucho in class. And he locked the door to the classroom because I was always late! And your nickname, El Tigre.

    • John P. Johnson
    I had him for 3 years and loved his Spanish class I will never forget the field trip to Olivera Street.
     
    John Todora
    My wife, Liliana Vargas at the time, met in his Spanish 3 class in 1968. Jeanne Redberg introduced us. 52 years later we are still together. Sue, I remember Besame mucho too and Mr.Laris moving our seats every so often so we would not grow toward the sunlight coming through the windows. He was a good guy, somehow I passed the class. Quien sabe?
     
    Sean Andrews
    RIP Sr. Laris.
     
    Loree Agai
    Oh I love Sr. Laris. He was the best. Had him every year at BHS and was his TA my senior year. Very smart, funny man.

    • Art Boylan
    Many fond memories of senor laris. Had him all three years at BHS. Took a field trip to olvera Street and walked thru downtown Los Angeles with our class during senior year he commanded respect and always got it or there would be hell to pay.

Tom Di Liberto

tSponSadly, my high school Spanish teacher, Pete Laris, died a few days ago. He was by far the best teacher I ever had, who taught me much more than the language. He was a brilliant guy, an avid jazz and classical music aficionado, a tireless advocate for his fellow teachers, an astute judge of character, and was astonishingly witty. He had a profound impact on me and many others. I was fortunate to become not just his pupil, but also his friend until his passing. I miss him already. Descanse en paz, Maestro.



Posted by at 9 comments:
Labels:

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Wayne Franklin, BHS '62 (1944-2020)

Wayne D Franklin, 76 of Santa Maria passed away Dec. 8th 2020 

Wayne was born May 17, 1944 in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada and moved to Burbank, Calif in June of 1953, where he met his wife of 57 years, Joann in 7th grade jr. high school. He graduated from Burbank High school in 1962. That same year he became a US citizen. In Sept of1963, he married his bride, Joann. After high school Wayne worked for “MA Bell” telephone company and later went into sales. After many years in sales Wayne got his general contracting license and started his own company, WDF Construction. 

Upon relocating to Santa Maria in 1996, Wayne entered back into sales, going to work for Kennedy Brothers. In 2001 along with his son-in-law and daughter, they purchased the Santa Maria branch of Kennedy Brothers and began operations as Coastal Ag. 

Wayne retired from Coastal Ag in 2006 and began traveling across the United States and Canada with his wife in their motorhome. Wayne loved to BBQ, at any BBQ he would always be at the grill. He always said it was because he enjoyed it. 

Wayne is survived by his wife Joann, son Ron and daughter Christy, son in law Fernando, grandson Cody, his wife Savannah, grandson Austin, great grandchildren Mckennah , Cody Jr. and many family members. 

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. 

Received today via email from Pam Kirkwood. 

RIP Wayne.

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Jane "Jean" Hamilton Sparks, BHS '43, Passed Away December 9, 2020

Jean Hamilton Sparks 
Newport Beach, California 

Cathy Coyle posted this sad notice on Facebook December 10, 2020... 

We lost our precious cousin, Jane “Jean” Sparks, yesterday. (Redhead in center.) She was a bright star in our large Scottish family. Our families had so many great times together! She was always loving, generous, kind & a beautiful soul. She loved to dance & danced well into her 90’s! She left us at the age of 95. God Bless you dear cousin. Give a hug to my sister, Carol, and all our other family members that have gone on before you. We love you & you’ll always be part of our loving memories. ❤️

Here Jean is in the Burbank High School Centennial Parade with her sister Rena and their cousin, Catherine (Cathy Coyle's mother) in 2008. 

Link to the obituary of Jean's husband, Gerald Sparks.  

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Jim Anderson, BHS '65, Passed Away Yesterday

Frank James "Jim" Anderson III 
June 5, 1947 - December 11, 2020

On December 11, 2020 Alma Tacket Carson posted on Facebook... 

Rest in peace my precious Bubba You along with my precious Jim have earned your wings say hello and give my Jim a big hug from me. Till we meet again. LOVE YOU BUBBA 💕💋😇 

Jim Anderson was my brother-in-law and we called him Bubba. 

We are deeply saddened to hear this and pray for Jim's widow, Gloria Carson Anderson, BHS '65, along with all the family.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Monday, November 23, 2020

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


Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Eyes Cassie Seymour, BHS '78, Passed Away November 20, 2020

 

 
 Heartbreaking news from Sarah Amos today...
 
"Cassie “Eyes” Seymour, class of 1978, took her own life on Friday night 11/20. Her heart was just too broken to go on."
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)