Month: December 2022

May 14, 1955 – Oct 08, 2019

My big brother Mitch died October 8, 2019 at the age of 64. He was born and raised in Napa, graduated NHS 1973, and earned a BS in Biology from Sacramento State in 2000. He will be remembered in a way unique to each person who ever knew him. Through several conversations over the past 15 years, I will remember him as: the proudest father on the planet of his three sons, the giddiest grampa ever for his granddaughter, and the most opinionated curmudgeon to trudge among us. All this, and a SF Giants fan to the end!
During his many years in Sacramento, Chuck (as he was known there) enjoyed attending Giants games with his friend Percy and exchanging riveting banter which his friend and neighbor Rick. And always, through thick and thin, his very good longtime buddy Ray was there for the nearly everyday phone call to shoot the breeze. My brother once confided in me that he hoped in the long run that he had done right by his family and close friends. He had trouble expressing this endearment to those who needed to hear it most; perhaps, the sentiment will linger for awhile as we remember him, each in his/her own way.
Mitch was predeceased by our parents, Jackie D. Henderson and Charles W. “Bill” Henderson. He is survived by his sons Charles Benjamin (wife Linea and their daughter Naomi), Charles Zachary (wife Tanisha), and Charles Joseph Henderson; his brother Tracy Henderson (wife Tori and their son Ross), myself, his sister Cassi (husband Don Tynan) and several cousins. Inurnment was at Tulocay.
Brother, go to where the air is cool and your tread is light: this is the Peace you seek to rest your weary head in the forever evening.

Find a Grave Memorial

Nov 08, 1955 – Oct 26, 1980

Patricia Ann Hard, a native of Napa, died Sunday following a lengthy illness.
Miss Hard was born in Parks Victory Hospital November 8, 1955. She graduated from Napa High School and Napa College and attended Chico State University.
She enjoyed all outdoor sports, especially snow and water skiing. She loved swimming and taught it for several years at the local junior high schools.
Survivors include her parents, Robert and Beverly of Napa; her sister, Kathryn of Napa; her brother James who is a school teacher in Missoula, Montana; two grandmothers, Adeline Cummings of Vallejo and Dorothy Bearden of Palmdale; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
At the request of Miss Hard, no services were held.

aka Michael Gourley

Jun 10, 1955 – Feb 13, 2017

Michael “Mickey” Wayne Gourley, 61, of Napa, passed away peacefully at home on February 13, 2017 in Clearlake Oaks.

Mickey was born at Parks Victory Memorial Hospital in Napa to Pauline Gourley on June 10, 1955. He worked for many years as a machinist and opened his own screw machine shop in 1990, Pacific West Machining, with his father-in-law, Maurice Holt. He was a devoted father and cherished the time he spent coaching his daughters’ softball teams. He enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, and playing the guitar and piano. Mickey will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Debbie Gourley; his daughters, Heather Johnson and Mikali Rinehart; his siblings, Jerry Prince, Shirley Mickens, Jean Vannatta, and Denise Price; his granddaughters, Addesyn Rinehart, Poppy Johnson, Daisy Johnson, and Hazel Johnson; his niece, Melody Kramer; and many other family and friends.

Mickey is predeceased by his mother, Pauline Gourley and stepfather Del Gourley.

Memorial service and celebration of life were held February 24th at Napa Valley Memorial Park.

Dec 13, 1953 – May 13, 1996

Billion Graves

Jun 28, 1956 – Mar 24, 2014

Our brother Timothy John Trzesniewski was taken from us suddenly on March 24, 2014, in his home state of Washington. Timothy, known to all affectionately as Tim or Timmy, was born June 28, 1956, to Wanda and Stanley Trzesniewski in Vallejo, Calif., moving to Napa not long afterward. A son of a first-generation Polish-American family, Tim was extremely proud of his Polish heritage.

Being the fourth child in a family of five children, Timmy made his mark early as the mischievous, funny and lovable person that he was then, and continued to be throughout his life. He attended school in Napa, receiving his education at St. Apollinaris, Redwood Middle School, Napa High, and was a member of the first class to graduate from Vintage High School.

Often referred to by his brothers as the smartest guy in the family, Tim had a mind like a steel trap. Anything he read, observed or saw performed was immediately absorbed and could be repeated, or done with ease. Because of his unbelievable intellect, Timmy could talk on any subject, and was always willing to enter a debate, or argue a point of contention.

Tim’s diverse skill sets allowed him to be adept at many, and all things he put his mind to. His abilities ran the gambit of master mechanic, fabricator, welder and heavy equipment operator. These interests led to a number of career paths throughout his life that included mechanic, equipment operator, sales and management.

Timmy had the soul of an adventurer, always up for trying something new. He was intensely loyal, and if wronged, fearless in exacting justice. There was no one better to have your back should the need arise. The old saying, “I’ve never met anyone I didn’t like,” was a perfect quote for Tim. He was generous to a fault, literally willing to give you the shirt off his back, or move a mountain if need be to help. He was the friend everyone should have at least once in their life.

A member of the Elks Lodge, Moose, E Clampus Vitus, Tim always enjoyed social gatherings. He was always the first guy to buy a round; he was also well known for his cooking skills, which would bring folks from miles around.

Tim is survived by his two children, Justicia and Clayton Trzesniewski and his wife Fran, of Aberdeen, Wash., who was his soul mate and the love of his life. He also leaves behind his sister, Sandra Pete, his three brothers, Thomas, David and Matthew Trzesniewski, and their families. Rest in peace Timothy John Trzesniewski, there will never be another like you.

A private family memorial service took place at Tulocay.

Jan 1, 1955 – Dec 30, 1982

Jerry Gochenouer, 27, died Thursday in Napa.
Mr. Gochenouer was born January 1, 1955, to Harold and Irene Gochenouer. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a former carpenter.
He is survived by his wife, Sonia of Napa; one daughter, Brenna of Napa; his parents, both of Napa; three sisters, Mary and Terry Gochenouer and Sherry Dennis, all of Napa; one brother, Harry of Pittsburgh; two grandmothers, Ruth Gochenouer and Florence Peters, both of Napa; four nephews and numerous aunts and uncles.
Memorial services were held Jan 3, 1983 at Chapel of Napa Valley Memorial Gardens Mortuary. Arrangements were under the direction of Napa Valley Memorial Gardens.

Article: Napa Valley Register, Dec 31, 1982

Jul 15, 1955 – Oct 26, 2009

Dianne Bayliss Silva, 54, passed away Oct. 26, 2009, in Grants Pass, Ore. She was born July 15, 1955, in Hot Springs, S.D. to William and Hazel Bayliss. She graduated from Napa High School in 1973 and married John Silva in Reno, NV on August 18, 1973. She worked as a switchboard operator for 10 years. Dianne was very active with camping, fishing, cooking and spending time with her five grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, John A. Silva, and daughters, Cathy (Monte) Pearson and Anne (Kevin) Heins, all of Grants Pass, Ore.; grandchildren, Luke Silva, Aimee Jones, Jacob Thiede, John Heins and Katelyn Thiede; sisters, Sharon K. Greer of Vacaville and Tami; nieces, Suzanne and Catherine; and nephew, Sean.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Bayliss.

Memorial services were held Oct. 30, 2009, at Stephens Family Chapel, Grants Pass, OR, with James Downing, pastor of Jerome Prairie Bible Church, officiating.

Find a Grave Memorial

Aug 01, 1955 – ~Jan 2019

   Colleen was survived by her husband David Dennis and two sons Ryan and Darryl Peek, two grandsons Dylan and Owen Peek, two sisters Sandra Bertolone and Bonnie White, and two brothers Ronald Duden and Sheldon Duden, and a whole bunch more she loved effortlessly with all her heart.  A celebration of life was held at Chardonnay Golf Club on Saturday February 9^th, 2019.

June 06, 1955 – Apr 20, 2019

   Dennis Patrick Donohoe, beloved son, brother, husband, uncle, father, and grandfather passed away on April 20^th, 2019 in Kirkland, Washington.  He was 63 years old.
   Born and raised by the late Daniel and Ellen Jean (Bertain) Donohoe in Napa, California, Dennis was well known throughout the Napa Valley along with his sisters (Mary Anne and Martha) and brothers (Richard, Kevin (d. 2005), and Joseph).
   Dennis was a commercial fishing captain in Alaska most of his life, which is where he met Kathleen (Tuttle), his wife of the last 38 wonderful years.  Dennis and Kathy were married at St. John’s Church on November 22, 1980 and they remained devoted Catholics throughout their marriage.  They lovingly raised two sons (Matthew and Dennis) while moving between Napa and Kodiak, Alaska, before settling in Kenmore, Washington.  Dennis loved to travel with his family as much as possible, but his greatest joy was time with his grandchildren (Louisa, Margaret, Mary, Ryan, and Daniel).  Dennis’ ability to light up a room with his kind humor and wit will never be forgotten, and he will be missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him.
   Services were held at St John Vianney in Kirkland, WA.

June 08 1955 – Sep 4, 1974

Article: Eureka Times Standard, Sep 05, 1974

Second body found in Klamath River
   JOHNSON – The body of a second man lost in the Klamath over the weekend was recovered near here Wednesday.
   Roger Snow, 20, of Dobbins, Cal., was found by local residents floating in a small cove in the river not far from the place where he was lost Saturday night.
   Snow was drowned when he stepped into deep water in a riffe near Tekta Creek while pulling a boat along the shore at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
   Sheriff’s Marine Posse members under the direction of deputies Jack Whellhan, Robert Shaw and Carl Anderson, aided by local volunteers, have been searching the river since early Sunday morning for the bodies of Snow and of William I. Clyde, 44 Eureka.
   Clyde, whose body was recovered Tuesday near Pecwan, drowned at about 5:45 p.m. Saturday when his canoe hit a rock and capsized about 250 yards from the point where his body was eventually found.
   Deputy Coroner Russ Allen said the bodies were identified through personal effects.

Find a Grave Memorial