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HOMEPAGE | HEADLINES | OPINIONS | POLICE BLOTTER | OBITUARIES | SPORTS   Obituaries for the week ending September 5, 2003     Gerald Gabriel Garofalo, Gerald Gabriel Garofalo, longtime Ojai Valley resident, best known to all of his family, friends and loved ones as Jerry, passed away quietly in the company of his wife, Mickey, and family members on Saturday morning, May 10, 2003. Jerry was born in Rome, New York, to Frank and Sophia Rego Garofalo. He attended Columbus Grammar School and graduated from Rome Free Academy as class president, where he was active in school activities and functions, including school soloist and a number of musical engagements. Following graduation from high school, Jerry was employed at the W.T. Grant store. Jerry continued to share his beautiful tenor voice with family and friends, often serving as soloist at weddings and other special occasions. In 1950, Jerry left Rome, N.Y., to come out to California to join his brother, Ernie, in Ojai. He fell in love with the valley and decided to make California his home state. He had been in Ojai for some six months, working at the Sears, Roebuck store in Ventura, when the Korean War broke out in 1951. He answered the call to serve his beloved country and after completing basic training at Camp Roberts in California, he was sent to Korea and served with Company E 9th Infantry Regiment. While there, he sustained serious injuries from shrapnel spray, including severe injuries to both of his eyes. Jerry returned to the states and was sent to Brooke Army Hospital in Fort Sam Houston, Texas for initial treatment of his injuries and later sent to the Hines Rehabilitation Center in Hines, Illinois, where he received special training to assist him in adjusting to life without his physical sight. Jerry was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a recipient of the Purple Heart. On Oct. 4, 1952 in St. John The Baptist Church in Rome, N.Y., Jerry and Domenica M. Recchio were united in marriage. After their honeymoon, Mr. and Mrs. Garofalo returned to make their new life as a married couple in the Ojai Valley. Jerry enrolled at Ventura Community College at this time and went on to earn his Associate in Arts degree. They became members of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where Jerry was actively involved in the church choir and music ministry for several years. Later he served as choir director for more than 30 years, during which time he also served as director and coordinator of music ministry for all church functions and special liturgical and other services. He also served as a catalyst for the formation of a special choir, comprised of members from the various local church congregations throughout the Ojai Valley. During the '60s and '70s the Ojai Valley Ecumenical Choir offered a number of beautiful and inspiring programs and presentations with the several local church families sharing the role of host for each of the presentations. Jerry also taught vocal arts and singing classes at St. Thomas Aquinas School for more than 10 years, working with the grammar and high school students. For 23 years he was also a moderator for a Friday evening ecumenical prayer meeting and prayer ministry. Jerry was always first and foremost a family man who loved and treasured his wife, his children and all of his loved ones. At many family occasions he would offer this simple toast, which was handed down through the family by his grandfather, Rego: "To those who love us and show it." Virtually everyone who met Jerry and knew him for even a brief period of time came to know a deeper meaning of love, friendship and kindness by being in his presence. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Mickey Garofalo, of Ojai, Calif.; son Gerald Gary Garofalo and wife, Dale, of Oak View, Calif., and son Gregory Steven Garofalo and wife, Heidi, of Ocala, Fla.; sister Genevieve Garofalo, Ventura, Calif.; and brother William Garofalo, Ventura, Calif.; sisters-in-law Mary Garofalo, Rome, N.Y., Yolanda Garofalo, Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Evelyn Garofalo, Ventura, Calif.; several nieces and nephews, other family members and many friends and loved ones remain in both California and New York. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Sophia Garofalo; sister Agnes Garofalo Donadio; brothers Alexander Garofalo, Albert Garofalo, Arthur Garofalo, Ernest Garofalo, and Lewis Garofalo. Per Jerry's request, his remains were cremated and his ashes were interred at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura in the Garden of Memories family plot. Jerry will be dearly missed by his loving family and many friends. Gone, but not forgotten - although we are apart, your spirit lives within us, forever in our hearts. There will be a Memorial Mass for Jerry on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, with a reception following at Aquinas Center. Funeral arrangements made by the Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.   David Robles David Robles, 74, of Ojai, Monday, August 25, 2003 after a lengthy illness. He was born February 17, 1929 in Ojai, where he resided his entire life and raised his family. Mr. Robles was known as the "Hostess Cake Man," serving 25 years including the Ojai schools. He served in the U.S. Cavalry and was stationed in Trieste, Italy during World War II. Mr. Robles served the Ojai community as president of the Mexican Fiesta for four years. In addition, he served as Boy Scout master of Troop 502. He is survived by his former wife of 37 years, Joan Robles, of Ojai; son Mark Robles of Ojai; daughters Juanita Robles, Lisa Robles Anderson, and Connie and husband Evan Olivas, all of Ojai; sisters Jane Nye and Mira Osmus of Santa Barbara; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by eldest son David T. Robles. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003 at 10 a.m. at Nordhoff Cemetery in Ojai. Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.     Leon V. Beauchemin Leon V. Beauchemin, 68, of Ojai, died in his sleep early in the morning on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2003, attended by his family. He was born Nov. 10, 1934 in Cathlamet, Wash., and had been a resident of Ojai for one year. Mr. Beauchemin was a professional free-lance photographer. He was also a volunteer teacher of photography with the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation. He is survived by his daughters, Michelle Yvonne and Heidi Noelle Beauchemin, both of Ojai; and his former wife, Nancy K. Kornegay, also of Ojai. Services were held Thursday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. Arrangements were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.   Trinidad Castro Trinidad Castro, 90, of Ventura, died peacefully Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003 at her daughter's home. She was born May 17, 1913 in Chanute, Kans., to Juan and Atanacia (Pelajio) Ramirez, and had been a Ventura resident for almost 90 years. She attended Holy Cross School. She worked for Unique Cleaners for 52 years and retired at the age of 82. Her interests included cooking, eating out, and taking trips to Las Vegas. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Stella Marquez-Jaramillo and David; brothers Joe and John Ramirez; one grandson; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Alex G. "Wally" Marquez; her sisters, Remedios Rutia and Mary Garcia; and brother Louis Ramirez. The family wishes to express thanks to Loving Care Hospice. Visitation was held from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 8:45 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2, at San Buenaventura Mission. Interment followed at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Joseph Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura.