Obituaries Obituaries (March 04, 2005)

Suzette Michele DuPee

Suzette Michele DuPee, 49, died Jan. 25 in a highway crash that tragically took the lives of Suzette, her friend Christie Cadona, and her miniature schnauzer, Emily Star.

She was born in Juneau, Alaska, where her parents were stationed with the U.S. Coast Guard. She grew up in Pleasanton, graduating from Amador Valley High School in 1973. She enjoyed living in the Sierra foothills near Sonora, as she loved the outdoors and was a fishing and camping enthusiast. She will be remembered for her wit and natural ability to make people laugh.

She is survived by life partner Lisa Degitz of Sonora; brother Jay DuPee of Byron; sister Bonnie Wheeler of Brentwood; and three nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents Al and Lynn DuPee and her brother Kurt DuPee, all of Pleasanton.

A memorial service will be celebrated in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 12.

Donations may be made to the Valley Humane Society or to a charity of choice. Joseph R. Pacheco Sr.

Joseph R. Pacheco Sr., 71, died at ValleyCare Medical Center on Feb. 18. He was born in Honolulu on June 22, 1933, and raised in Hawaii. He joined the Navy at age 17, and served for 25 years.

He lived in Pleasanton for the last 32 years. He was a member of SIRS and the San Ramon Men's Golf Association. He loved bowling and golfing.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Onita Pacheco; daughters Lisa Pacheco of Livermore and Gina Mravak of Chicago; son Joseph Pacheco Jr. and daughter-in-law Sandy of Dublin; sisters Mary Lou Bessey, Betty Day, Diana Ronchette and Margie Pacheco and their husbands; and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service was held at Callaghan's Chapel in Livermore. Anthony James 'Jim' Garcia

Anthony James "Jim" Garcia, 77, a resident of Livermore, died Feb. 19 in Pleasanton. He was born in Hayward on Dec. 9, 1927, and also lived in Fremont for 15 years and in Alamo for 27 years.

He received a bachelor's degree in 1950 from St. Mary's College and a doctorate from Hastings Law School in 1954. He was involved in incorporating the city of Union City and was its first city attorney. He also practiced law for 40 years at Garcia, Bruzzone & Galliano.

He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and the California State Bar. He loved politics and music, and going to the symphony with his wife Barbara.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara Garcia; son Anthony J. Garcia and daughter-in-law Jenifer of Pleasanton; daughters and sons-in-law Marie and Craig Baysinger of Livermore, Celeste and Greg Madsen of Columbus, Ohio, and Paulette and Bill Lutz of Pleasanton; brother-in-law Kenneth Miller; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A vigil was held at Graham-Hitch Mortuary, and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church with a private burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Donations may be made to St. Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga 94556; or American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame 94010. W. Leonard Carr

W. Leonard Carr, 50, died in Pleasanton on Feb. 18.

He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on June 15, 1954, and lived in Pleasanton for the last 12 years. He earned an associate degree in engineering in the U.S. Army and served for 15 years, spending part of his time in Germany.

He worked at Netro as a microwave engineer and was an accomplished guitar player for the local band, "Wicker Vault." He was a member of Valley Community Church.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Patti; daughter Kristen Nicole; brother Gary Edward Carr of Pleasanton and his wife Ann; mother Vera Emma Carr of Pleasanton; and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his father Walter Gordon Carr.

A memorial service was celebrated at Valley Community Church. Donations can be made to a scholarship fund for Kristen Carr and to Wellness Community, 3276 McNutt Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597. Anthony Nicholas

Anthony Nicholas, 85, died in Pleasanton on Feb. 23.

He was born in Oakland on Dec. 6, 1919, and was part of the first 40 families in Dublin where he lived for 42 years. He lived in Pleasanton for the last three years of his life.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a machinist for 35 years.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and St. Augustine Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing bingo and is remembered as a loving grandfather and great-grandpa.

He is survived by his son Gary Nicholas of Dublin; daughters Audrey Renda of Ripon and Terry Stevenson of Dublin; brother Joe Nicholas of San Leandro; and eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Nicholas.

Visitation services were held at Graham-Hitch Mortuary followed by a vigil. A burial Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Abraham Joseph Jackson

Abraham Joseph "Joe" Jackson, 77, died Feb. 23 at his home in Dolores, Colo.

He was born Feb. 13, 1928, in El Dorado, Kan., and was a longtime resident of Dolores. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the American Legion.

He was an avid reader and historian who enjoyed hunting and watching movies.

He is survived by sons Wade of Pleasanton, Wally of Corralitos, Calif., and Cary of Fort Collins, Colo.; daughter Teresa Stine of Santa Rosa; daughters-in-law Jain and Lauren; son-in-law Eric; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Vaden Jesteen Jackson; parents Abraham Joseph and Myrtle Ballinger Hawn Jackson; brother Roy; and sister Viola.

Burial services were at Pleasanton Memorial Gardens. Donations can be made to the Hospice of Montezuma or to the American Legion.

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