Irene Wong Lee March 14, 1940 – August 2, 2021 Alameda, CA It is with great sadness that the family of Irene Lee announces her peaceful passing on August 2. Irene was the beloved mother of Debbie, Marina, Michael, and the late Ken. She was a loyal widow to her late husband, Gene. She was a devoted grandmother to Jake and Joe, Bella and Gino, and Katie and Cooper; and a respected mother-in-law to Jack, Matt, and Kristi. Irene was an adored sister, auntie and “Momly” to her extended family, and will be fondly remembered by her dear friends. Irene was born and raised in San Francisco and graduated from San Francisco State University. She was a manager at the Food Bowl, a property manager for the Lee family, an enthusiastic swim team mom, and a dedicated school volunteer for both her children and grandchildren. She was a lifelong advocate for the ocean, devoting many years as a volunteer for the Marine Mammal Center. Irene loved to travel, play board games, and watch sports, especially when cheering on her grandkids. She was happiest in the kitchen; cooking meals for large gatherings, making whimsical treats, and decorating beautiful cakes for special occasions. Irene will be missed by all who loved and cherished her.
March 20, 1941 – September 24, 2022 Modesto, California – After graduating from George Washington High School in San Francisco, Robert joined the United States Air Force serving stateside from 1959 to 1965. After military service, he started a career in law enforcement in Palo Alto, then proceeded to work for the State of Montana in law enforcement administration policies. Returning back to California, he served in the law enforcement as Police Chief for the City of Waterford. He retired in 1987. After retirement he obtained his Master’s Degree in administration from Stanislaus State College, Turlock. He then continued to manage home owner associations in the area, as well as serving several terms on the Copper Creek Homeowners Association Board of Directors. He also assisted in organizing along with the Central Valley Commemorative Air Force the last Modesto City/County Airport Day in 2009, as well as serving on the board for the Modesto Airport Pilots Association. He loved the outdoors and over several years organized many hikes throughout the bay area and Sierras referred to as the Trail Master’s Hikes. His survivors include his wife, Charlene Fulton, daughters, Heather MacPherson, Michelle Behie and Andrea Carter. Grandchildren Holly Watson, Ethan Carter and brother John Fulton and sister-in-law Janet Fulton . He was proceeded in death by his sons, Michael Cawley, Mark Cawley and sister Helmi Fulton.
Peter Rushmore Hoffman was born on Dec. 4, 1940. His parents were John Frederick Hoffman Jr. and Jean Bell Millett-Hoffman.
He passed away at home, with his wife by his side, in Warrenton, on July 28, 2021, at the age of 80.
Pete was born in New Rochelle, New York, and moved to San Francisco in 1941. After graduating from high school, he attended San Francisco State University to study radio and TV broadcasting.
In 1963, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. During 1967, he married Susan McBride (they later divorced), and began his formal Coast Guard career. He trained to be a rescue helicopter pilot, and enjoyed the many beautiful places he was stationed.
Pete was stationed in Astoria from 1981 to 1984, and then served as commander at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., from 1984 to 1987. He retired as a commander (0-5), and returned to Astoria, due to his love of the water, and his relationship with his Grace Episcopal Church family.
In 1998, he married Christine Duff, and adopted her two young daughters as his own. Pete enjoyed the family time he spent with them camping, horseback riding, supporting his daughters at volleyball games and dance recitals, high school and college graduations and marriages. He was proud to support their 4-H horse club, Western Wranglers, at parades by volunteering for “scooping duty.”
Pete was very involved in the operations of Grace Episcopal Church. He served at the altar, was a member of the choir, was much respected as a vestry leader and was the go-to guy for building maintenance issues.
Pete loved God’s creations, and was especially fond of the smallest creatures. He was always summoned to take the spider or the bee outside so the girls would not squish it.
He was a member of Oregon Equestrian Trails, and spent many hours helping to clear trails so horse riders would be safe. He also helped at the Friends of the Fair horse shows by manning the arena entrance gate. He would encourage the younger riders on their way in to “sit tall, relax and show ‘em whatcha got.”
Pete enjoyed swimming at the Astoria Aquatic Center to keep himself fit in the winter and riding to Hammond and back on his bicycle in the summer.
He worked at several local businesses during his “retirement.” His two favorites were: Wadsworth Electric, where he operated large equipment in sometimes very dangerous environments; and, most recently, Staples in Warrenton, where he appreciated his co-workers and managers for how kind and caring they were toward him in his “senior” days.
He is survived by his wife, Christine Hoffman; daughters, Jessica (Jacob) Bushnell and Rebecca (Stevin) Tadei; his former wife, Susan Hoffman, of Vancouver, Washington; sons, Malcolm (Ken) Hoffman, of Washougal, Washington, and Michael (Jessica) Hoffman, of Portland; daughter, Kathryn Strom, of Vancouver, Washington; grandchildren, Natasha, Gabriel, Gwendolyn, Drew and Summer; and a sister, Sharon Tucker Morse, of Pine Hurst, North Carolina.
Walter Louis Torrens passed away on September 27th, 2022. Born on June 11th, 1940 in San Francisco, California, Walt spent much of his time as a boy with family in Sonoma. He attended Everett Junior High and George Washington High School (SF), then enlisted in the military after graduation. After leaving the military, he studied at College of Marin, graduating with an Associates Degree in 1975. Simultaneously, he began his long career with Sunset Scavenger Company, eventually becoming a partner before his retirement.Walt was an athlete. His two special sports were football and golf. As a young man he played football, then attended 49er games regularly before retiring to watching it on TV. After giving up football Walt became an avid golfer, taking many trips with his friends until his failing health caused him to retire.Walt married the first love of his life, Lillian Louise Torrens (Lil) in 1963. They eventually settled in Tiburon in 1975, where Walt lived until his death. Sadly, the couple lost their only child, Theresa, when she was born prematurely and passed after 4 days. Lil passed early at the age of 52 on 12/17/1995, and Walt soldiered on until meeting the other love of his life, Leila Rodrigues. She passed on 9/26/2009. Walt had a large extended group of people who became family through years of friendship.Walt filled his later years with many organizations. He joined SIRS in 2000 and served in many capacities, eventually becoming Big SIR. He wrote the club newsletter and ran the poker club. He was also active in Native Sons and Club Italia, continuing to serve many roles, including president of both clubs, and State Officer of Native Sons. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, brother, and sister. He will be deeply missed by those who loved him. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, October 6th from 2-5pm at Mt. Tamalpais Mortuary, 2500 Fifth Ave, San Rafael.A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, October 7th at 1pm at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church, 469 3rd Street West, Sonoma, Ca.There will be a celebration of life on October 30th.
Published by Marin Independent Journal from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, 2022.
George Washington High School San Francisco Classes of Spring & Fall 1958 