Archived Obituaries

Missing his 100th birthday by only 8 days, Morgan Hill resident John H. Khan reluctantly settled into eternal rest Saturday morning, October 4, 2008, after suffering a sudden heart attack.

Teresa Filice passed away at her residence in Hollister October 5th with her loving family at her side. Teresa was a native of Piane Crati, Italy, who came to San Benito County in 1960 after spending three years in Canada.Teresa was a member of Sacred Heart Church; the Teamsters Local No. 890 of Salinas; a retired employee from the Hollister Cannery and Tri-Valley Foods. "She was a wonderful homemaker, a great cook, who loved her children and grandchildren, enjoyed raising her vegetables in her garden, and sharing her talents as an accomplished embroiderer by embroidering fine linens for peoples' weddings and other special occasions", said her family. She was the daughter of the late Eugenio and Agata Perelli Filice. Teresa's husband Luigi passed away in April of 1999. Surviving are her daughters Clara Crowe; Emma Davis, husband Charles, and Mary Righetti, husband Robert all of Hollister; six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren---with "two on the way", and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct. 8th from 12 noon until 7:00 P.M. at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister. Family and friends will leave the mortuary Thursday morning at 9:30 A.M. for a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church beginning at 10:00 A.M. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Heart Fund, Diabetes Assn., or Sacred Heart School c/o the funeral home. Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences.

Age 75, passed away peacefully at home. Private services have been held.

Bruce J. Finch who was born in July 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, died suddenly on October 5, 2008 in Gilroy, California. Bruce is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn Finch and their daughter, Sarah of Gilroy, CA.

Service will be at Habings Sat. October 18, 2008 at 1:00 P.M.

Passed away in Turlock at the age of 75. She was born in St. Joe, Texas and lived in Hollister for 48 years, moving here from Salinas. She and her husband, Sam, were married in 1947 in Tulia, TX. Along with her husband, they pastored for many years at The Apostolic Full Gospel Church of Christ on Santa Ana Rd and she had a great love of gospel music.

Romeo Barsi passed at Lucca Campo di Marte Hospital in Lucca, Tuscany at the age of 71. Romeo lived in Italy up until 1972 when he moved his family to Gilroy to be closer to his sister, Franca Barsi Filice and fulfill his boyhood dream of living in America. Romeo was a young boy during WWII and during the German occupation of Marlia, Tuscany his father was a cook for the German Army. He loved telling his grandchildren the stories of when the Americans liberated Italy and how he made friends with the US soldiers. The US soldiers took him under their wings and loved giving him American goodies such as chocolate. Romeo loved to travel and even when he lived in Italy he frequently took his family on trips to visit France, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and what was then Yugoslavia. He also loved to collect WWII Jeep vehicles. He loved to hike in the mountains and especially loved Gilroy and the surrounding hills as they reminded him of his childhood home in Tuscany. He made his living in California as a Teamster truck driver and owner of his own trucking business. Earlier this year, in his retirement, he moved back to Italy to be closer to his son and enjoy his retirement.

Robert F. Putney, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on October 3rd surrounded by his family. Robert "Bob" was born on October 2nd, 1932 in Providence, Rhode Island. Bob grew up in Providence, and graduated from LaSalle Academy High School. Bob then enlisted in the Air Force as a plane mechanic, but as the result of a special program for promising young enlisted candidates, Bob was able to train as a pilot. Bob trained on T-33 in Texas, and excelled to the point where he trained others to fly. He returned home to Providence to marry his longtime sweetheart and childhood friend, Joan Frances D'Iorio. Bob and Joan then moved to Selma Alabama where Bob was stationed at Craig AFB. While in Selma, their three children, Mark Robert, Bethany Jean, and Christopher Todd were born. Bob and Joan then moved to Arizona where he was stationed at Luke AFB as a pilot. Bob also graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. As a Captain in the Air Force, Bob was sent to Viet Nam, stationed in Da Nang and flew the F-100 over 300 missions as a fighter pilot in 1966- 1967. Bob received the Bronze Star Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster for bravery in combat and the Distinguished Flying Cross and was promoted to Major. Bob returned home to his family and was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton Ohio. While at Wright Patterson, Bob was responsible for Materiel for the F111. While at Wright Patterson Bob was promoted to Lt. Colonel. Following his promotion, Bob and his family moved to San Diego, CA. where he was stationed at Coronado Naval Base as the Air Force representative to General Dynamics. While at Coronado, Bob enjoyed fighter plane dog fighting with his Navy colleagues. He would often come home with a sore neck from scanning the sky trying to see his competitors. Following his outstanding work in San Diego, Bob was sent to Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama where the leadership of the Air Force is trained. During his time in Montgomery, Bob also received a Masters of Public Administration from Auburn University. Bob was then promoted to Colonel and stationed again at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. At that time, Bob was responsible again for a large team focused on delivery of Materiel to NATO for the F16. Bob traveled quite often to Europe and brought Joan along to see the sights. Bob's final stop in the Air Force was at Moffet Field in Sunnyvale, CA. where he was the Air Force Representative to Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Bob retired after 25 years of distinguished service to his country. Bob then went on to 15 years at Lockheed Missiles and Space where he was Director of Materiel for the Space Systems Division and retired as Vice President Lockheed Integrated Systems Corporation.

Ricardo Orta, Jr. entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on October 2, 2008 at Valley Medical Hospital. He was born in Carrizo Springs, Texas and raised in Morgan Hill. He was an avid Raider fan, voracious reader, and enjoyed fishing with his uncles. He was a loving son to Balvina Orta of Gilroy, brother to Jose Orta (Angelique) of San Jose, Rene Orta of Gilroy, and uncle to Richard Orta (Heidi) of Gilroy, Lee Oda Orta of Henderson, Nevada, grandson to Manuela Orta of Morgan Hill, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins. His was preceded in death by his father Ricardo Orta, Sr. and brother Eduardo, both of Morgan Hill. The celebration of his life will be private.

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