Paul Wyman Repath
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Sept. 12, 1929 – March 12, 2017
Paul Wyman Repath was born on Sept. 12, 1929 in Hollywood, California to Charles Jasper Repath and Margaret Lucile Wyman. He grew up in La Cañada and graduated from Pasadena Junior College in 1947. He was promptly drafted by the Army and saw combat in the Korean War. After his tour of duty, he spent nine months touring Europe with an old friend, Bud Sheedy. He worked at Lockheed until he went into the swimming pool business.
In 1954, Paul met Shirley Pinch, who had just moved out from Iowa, and they were married in October 1957. They settled in Altadena until 1960 when they moved to La Cañada. In 1961 and 1962 they were blessed with two daughters, Leslie and Lyn (Cece). Paul could fix anything and continuously remodeled their home on La Forest Drive.
Paul worked as a swimming pool technician for over 35 years and transformed pool cleaning with his Repath Manufacturing Ring Jet Leaf Vacuum. He was an avid skier, golfer, bowler and loved body surfing at Santa Monica beach as well as motorcycle riding in the desert. Other hobbies included making model airplanes, hunting firewood and mowing his lawn.
In 1990, they opened an oak furniture store in Sun City, driving there every day for 14 years. To get them closer to home they opened a store in La Cañada in 2004 on Foothill Boulevard in property owned by Norbert Olberz.
Paul was a man about town and kept all his family, friends and acquaintances entertained with his pranks, crazy antics and loud, boisterous manner. He supported his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors: cheering for their track and baseball teams as well as analyzing the engineering feats of robotics teams. He resisted electronic technology and felt old school mechanics were best.
Paul and Shirley followed Leslie and her family to the West Cajon Valley in January 2007. He found camaraderie at Rick’s Café, and enjoyed teasing friends at Stater Bros, Pizza Factory, and others in Phelan. He thoroughly enjoyed outings on El Mirage Dry Lake to watch the SCTA Lakesters.
Paul died of natural causes at home in the West Cajon Valley on Sunday, March 12 at the age of 87. His wife of 59 years, Shirley, passed away one week after, on March 19.
Paul is survived by his children, Leslie Repath Foxvog (Paul) and Lyn Repath-Martos (Antonio); and four grandchildren: Brian & Danie Foxvog, Isabel & Lucas Martos-Repath.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) at Office@scta-bmi.org or mailed to P.O. Box 10, Orosi, CA 93647.
Shirley Ann (Pinch) Repath
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Feb. 4, 1936 – March 19, 2017
Shirley Ann Repath, nee Pinch, was born to Harry and Josephine Pinch on Feb. 4, 1936 in Marion, Iowa. In her youngest years, her family moved from Iowa to join family in El Sereno, California but after a family loss, they moved back to Marion in 1943. Shirley enjoyed serving on the editorial board of the school paper and holding class leadership positions; she graduated valedictorian of her class from Marion High School in 1953. Shirley returned to California shortly after her graduation.
Early in her professional career, Shirley held administrative positions at Vromans School Book Depository, CEC and Electodata in Pasadena. Shirley was involved in St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church Youth Organization, where she met her future husband Paul Repath. Their lengthy courtship included bowling, skiing and social outings with a large circle of friends. Married in October 1957, Shirley and Paul first settled in Altadena. In 1960, they bought their dream home in La Cañada on La Forest Drive. Blessed with two daughters, Leslie (1961) and Lyn (aka “Cece,” 1962), Shirley spent long hours converting her backyard from a rock strewn flood plain into a tiered, verdant garden, designing a landscape that was both functional and perfect for both entertaining and neighborhood football games. Additional passions at the time included designing and sewing unique fashions for Barbie dolls, knitting baby clothes for her daughters and friends, and sharing home improvement projects with Paul.
Shirley rejoined the workforce as a bookkeeper in 1973 for Banister’s Fine Shoes in Glendale. As her girls grew more independent, Shirley transitioned to a full-time accounting position with Reed Stenhouse Insurance, the beginning of a 15-year career in insurance accounting. In 1990, Shirley and Paul opened their own business in Sun City, California; “Oak Furniture Outlet” served the growing communities of Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore and Hemet, and Shirley greatly enjoyed advising her customers on decorating and furnishing new homes. After 14 years of commuting, and to get closer to their La Cañada home, Shirley and Paul opened “Curios, Clocks and Curiosities” on Foothill Boulevard in 2004 in a small storefront that formerly housed the TV Lab and administrative offices of Sport Chalet.
In January 2007, Shirley and Paul retired from business and followed Leslie and her family to the West Cajon Valley. They both enjoyed the rural life of the high desert and witnessing their grandchildren grow up and become independent.
Shirley died of heart failure at home on Sunday, March 19 at the age of 81. Her husband of 59 years, Paul, preceeded her in death by one week, on March 12.
Shirley is survived by her daughters, Leslie Repath Foxvog (Paul) and Lyn Repath-Martos (Antonio); and four grandchildren: Brian & Danie Foxvog, Isabel & Lucas Martos-Repath.
We rejoice and celebrate her special life as wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association.
April 4, 1931 – Jan. 26, 2017
John Manuel Garcia was born in a little house in downtown Los Angeles on April 4, 1931. From then until the age of 6, he lived in San Franciso where he was doted on by his grandmother and aunt, who called him “El Rey de España” (the King of Spain). He never let those “royal” beginnings go to his head, though. He grew into a modest man who had more concern for others than for himself. He was a proud Belmont High School alum and, although he didn’t go to an official college, he always said that he’d graduated from the “University of Hard Knocks.”
John’s working career began at a young age with a shoe shine box and a bag full of Look and Liberty magazines, a stint in a Chinese laundry, and he even spent time behind a soda fountain in a drugstore. The majority of his working years were spent at Menasco in Burbank, an aerospace company that produced aircraft landing gear. He retired as a manufacturing supervisor at the age of 58 in order to enjoy what the retired life had to offer. Part of that enjoyment included travelling with his wife of 39 years, Kathleen. Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Egypt, Costa Rica and many more locations were explored by a man who was always eager to see new places and do new things. He also liked to “putter around” in that yard, putting his green thumb to good use. He was very knowledgeable about current events, reading the L.A. Times faithfully every day, and said he wanted to know what was going on, even if he couldn’t do anything about it.
John was a loving, caring, kind and helpful man, always willing to help someone with almost anything. He felt great compassion for the elderly – never feeling or acting as though he were part of that group – and one of his favorite charities was Meals on Wheels. People who knew him say that they will always cherish the wise advice he provided, as well as the “bad time” he gave them, always with a smile that showed he was only teasing.
John is survived by his wife Kathleen, brother-in-law Jim Walter, and many extended family members and friends. His loving kindness and quick smile will be very much missed by everyone who knew him.
Jesus called and John went home to Him.
Jan. 2, 1945 – Feb. 19, 2017
June 3, 1923 – Feb. 7, 2017
Marjorie Cameron was a long-time resident of La Crescenta, a beautiful person and loving mother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and daughter, Linda. She is survived by her daughter Susan Cameron Kelley, her son James Cameron, a son Steven Cameron, five grandchildren, one great grandson, nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
“Margie,” as she was known to her friends, was a devoted member of the La Cañada Presbyterian Church where she served as church secretary, attended Bible study and was active in Pathfinders and Seafarers. In her early years, she worked as a financial administrator and continued with a career in the legal field well into her 80s. She started at her daughter’s law firm in the ’90s and managed it until she was confident Susan could take over.
She was always eager to see new places and do new things. She traveled the world with family and friends from church. She was proud of the fact that she smuggled Bibles into China in the1990s. In most recent years, she spent the Christmas holidays with Jim and Karla and Susan and family in Maui, Hawaii.
Her favorite past times were Sunday brunch with her friends and niece after church, going to the movies, powerlifting and attending USC home football games. Her past two years at home were a blessing made possible by her loving children, Susan and Jim and niece Delphie. She was much loved and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at the La Cañada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge.
June 21, 1938 – Feb. 12, 2017
Rosa was born in Mexico City, Mexico. As a child she sang and danced on the Mexican stages with her mother, Esperanza Arellano, an acclaimed singer. Although Rosa loved to perform, she also sought a life as a young career woman as Mexico first granted women the right to vote in 1953. She graduated from Escuela Libre para Oficinistas – School for Office Management in 1955. She also studied at the Mexican/North American Institute for Cultural Relations until 1956.
Her first full time employment was with Productos Quimicos Mardupol, a subsidiary of DuPont, from 1956 to 1958.
Rosa’s talent as a Flamenco dancer, however, began to flourish. She performed with famous directors and composers into mid-1959. In 1960, Rosa married and gave birth to her first and only son, Eric, in 1962. In the 1970s Rosa moved to La Crescenta. She worked for the Motion Picture Industry for 30 years in the medical claims department until retirement in 2006.
Rosa was an animal lover, especially a dog lover, over the years. She was a dedicated donor to PETA, St. Jospeh’s Indian School, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, The Humane Society of the United States and International, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ASPCA and Catholic Relief Services. Rosa participated in the Garden Club over the years as well.
Rosa was full of kindness, love and respect for all those around her. Truly the life of the party, she entertained her loved ones with her Flamenco dancing, stylish dress, light-hearted comedy and sassy personality. She was a dedicated mother until her son’s death in 2016. She was also a loving aunt, friend, cousin and sister.
Rosa passed away peacefully in her home. She will be dearly missed but she will dance in our hearts for eternity.
She is survived by her cousin Cesar Hernandez, the Wing Family and the Fraines Family. A memorial service will be held on March 20 at 12 p.m. at San Fernando Mission Church, 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Mission Hills 91345. Burial and reception info provided at the funeral.
