Archived Obituaries

Passed away in Hollister at the age of 58. He was born in Hollister and lived here all of his life. He married his wife, Jeanie, in 1976 at Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos, was a member of Hollister Elks Lodge and Bolado Park Golf Course. He was a golf enthusiast with a hole in one on the 5th hole at Bolado Park. He attended Sacred Heart School, Palma High School and graduated from St. Mary's College in Moraga.

Services are pending.

Gary F. Barbin passed away at the age of 66 years at his residence with his loving family at his side. Gary was a native of Schenectady, NY, moved to California with his parents as a young boy, and resided in LaSelva Beach while attending Watsonville High School. Upon graduation he moved to San Benito County and with his father and brother started and operated Barbin Plastering from 1960 until 1982 when he established Garys Auto Painting specializing in auto body work and auto painting until 1994. Gary loved the out of doors especially riding dirt bikes with his son and daughter---mostly in the Clear Creek Area and fishing at the Forebay and surrounding areas."He was very much a family person", said his spouse Linda. In addition to Linda, Gary is survived by his son Bill Barbin of Hollister; daughters Tracy Weisner (Ronnie) of TN, and Cindy Trayford (Dave) of Salinas; grandchildren Dawson Weisner, Cassie and Maci Grice, Miranda and Lindsey Trayford; his brothers David Barbin (Joanne) of Aptos and Danny Barbin of Medford, OR; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother Paul Barbin and sister Beverly Kinslow.

Mary T. Valdivia passed away in Los Gatos at the age of 94. She was born in Mexico and came to Hollister in 1937 from the San Joaquin Valley. She was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Lupe Landin Savalza born July 4, 1922 in Ventura County, she was raised in the beautiful agricultural communities of Oxnard and Santa Barbara. She moved with her father Reyes and mother Maria first to Salinas and then to San Jose in the mid 1940's. It was there that she met her lifes partner, Daniel Savalza, and they married in 1950.

Joseph Warren Cullumber, a fifth generation resident of San Juan Bautista, died today at his home, two days following his 90th birthday.

Hollister native Holly Ruiz Davis passed away suddenly at the age of 44 years. Holly was a graduate of San Benito High School where she was very active in high school sports. Holly loved being a Mom; loved the out of doors-gardening, fishing, and taking long walks, writing poetry, and baking in her kitchen at home. Holly was a 28 year employee of the Hollister A & W Restaurant where she was known for her wonderful smile and her big blue eyes. Most recently she worked as a tile setter and was recognized for her attention to details. Her family said Holly "was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and a friend to those she met. She never met a person she didn't have compassion for or that she was not willing to help if help was needed," said her family. Holly is the daughter of Donna Wharton Starritt and the late Bob Starritt. She is survived by her children Royce Ruiz (Deanna) of So. Carolina, Julie N. Ruiz and Ryan N. Ruiz of Hollister; her step grandchildren Mark, Ruby, Tony, Natalie, and Destiny; her sisters Kathy Starritt of Texas, Sandy Green (John) of Los Osos, and Stacee Hilliard (Kevin) of Modesto; her brother Robert Starritt II (Nilia) of Washington, numerous other family members, and former spouses Ray Ruiz and Joe Davis. A celebration of Holly's life with a "pot luck" to follow will be held Friday, Sept. 26th at 11:00 A.M. at the Family Park 4000 San Felipe Rd., Hollister. In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to the Ruiz Childrens Trust Fund c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister 95023 Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences.

Beloved husband of Bernadine Belaski-McGee passed away at Hazel Hawkins Hospital at the age of 63 years.

Cathy McCarthy Carli died September 19, 2008. Cathy, the loving wife of Alessio and devoted mother of twins Alessia and Catia, was a woman of talent and a tower of strength. She was an award winning graphic designer and an advocate for children with special needs, especially those with Down Sydrome. Cathy, born in San Francisco and the daughter of Chris and Rose McCarthy (deceased), both natives of Ireland, was proud of her Irish heritage, but she was even more proud of her Italian-born husband and her Irish-Italian-American daughters. For every life Cathy touched, a soul was nurtured and made that much the better for knowing her. Her sisters, Marian (McCarthy) Shaffner and Maggie (McCarthy) Bell, will miss her dearly, as will her sister-in-law, Anna Carli, her mother-in-law, Tina Carli, and her father-in-law Elpidio Carli, all of Sienna, Italy. Her brothers-in-law, Dave Shaffner and Kurt Bell, and her nephews, Stephen Shaffner and Brendan and Kevin Bell, will never forget the joy that was our Cathy. She will be remembered by all who knew her, especially by her loving cousins in America and in Ireland, her dear friends from Presentation High School, her friends from San Francisco, Paris, Sonoma and Hollister, the artists she worked and painted with and by anyone who was able to work, play, paint, or share a glass of wine with her. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund is being set up for Alessia and Catia. Friends are invited to a memorial Mass and a celebration of Cathy's life on Friday Sept. 26th at 1:30 P.M. at the Old Mission San Juan Bautista 2nd & Mariposa Streets, San Juan Bautista. Memorials may be addressed to Carli Children Trust Fund c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister or left with the mortuary staff at the service. Visit: www.grunnagle.com for service information and condolences.

Anne Ward passed away at home in Morgan Hill at the age of 85. Her husband of 61 years, Paul Ward, and sons Ronald and Robert miss a loving mother and wife. During her final days, Anne received cards and visits from many to whom we express our gratitude for the support they provided to her and the family.