Dear Andy:
Please accept this donation to the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund in memory of my husband Ronald P. Marano. He loved the years spent with his buddies on the LAFD. He will be greatly missed by me and his children. Your kindness was appreciated and the assistance provided was a big help at a very sad time.
Sincerely,
Althea E. Marano
Canyon Lake, CA
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Dear John:
I was saddened to see the passing of John Mathers. John was my staff assistant while I was assigned to Battalion 15 in 1975. He was a true, fine gentleman and a good man to know. He helped me in many ways and I will remember him always.
It is sad indeed to hear of his death, and I wish to put this contribution in his memory into the Widows and Orphans Fund.
Sincerely,
John Adams
Camarillo, CA
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Dear Andy,
On behalf of my three daughters – Terry, Donna and Debbie – I want to say “thank you” for all you did from Terry’s first phone call to making the flag presentation at the Celebration of Life event for my husband “Boney” Bonesteel. The flag that was flown over Bone’s last duty station, 15’s, and so beautifully encased will be treasured for generations to come. We all were so touched by the firemen, friends and extended family who came to share stories and remember Boney on February 17th.
My daughters and I sincerely appreciate how efficiently the relief Association responded to our needs and brought closure to a career Bone loved and enjoyed. Please accept our check to be donated in memory of Clarence W. Bonesteel, Captain II retired, to the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund. His legacy will continue through a third generation, my grandson Drew Fortier, Engineer, and our hearts will always be filled with love for a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Sincerely,
Margaret Bonesteel
Anaheim Hills, CA
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Dear LAFRA, WODFF,
Please accept this donation in memory of Neil E. Bullock and Dana R. Laine, who both passed away recently.
Although I never worked with either Neil or Dana, I knew both, but with very different circumstances.
Starting around mid-1975 for about a year, I drove Dana’s father, Ray Laine, on Truck 4. Sometime after that I worked at “Old 29’s” about the same time Dana was at 11’s, so we knew each other somewhat. One thing about Dana that I will always remember was his tremendous sense of humor. Unfortunately he was forced to retire early with back problems.
Neil I remember from several motorcycle road trips with a group of couples including Johnny Sampson, Ralph Whitney, Dick Zeimer, John Jacobsen and several others. These were at least five day multi-state trips with camping in tents and sleeping bags. At least most of us had sleeping bags. Neil and Joyce however, thought that a quilt would be adequate. Did I mention that we went North? They did survive, but left the rest of us with some lasting memories.
Sincerely,
Richard Watters,
Agoura Hills, CA
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Mr. Kuljis
I want to thank you and the Relief Association for sending the flag in honor of my husband, Charles Johnson. I know he would have been very pleased for us to receive it. It means a lot to me and my family for his service to be appreciated. He was always proud to be a fireman at 90’s.
Thank you again for your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely,
Marcia Johnson
Blue Jay, CA
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LA Firemen’s Relief Assn,
My father, John Lewandowski, had passed away this past December. He had been a captain at 18’s until he medically retired from a heart attack back in July of 1990. And spent another 22 years in a nursing home near CSUN, where he continued to get the best care possible, thanks to the LAFD.
We have recently received a gift from the LA Firemen’s Relief Association. It was a flag, attached with a letter that the flag had been flown at a ceremony at Fire Station 18, held for John.
So on behalf of our family, we wanted to thank everybody at Fire Station 18 and the LA Firemen’s Relief Association for the kind gesture. In our time of grief it was a pleasant surprise and something we will hold dearly. I have since given it to my brother Guy, the oldest in our family. And I know he will display it proudly.
It may seem like a small gesture on the part of the LAFD but it speaks volumnes for our family.
Stay safe!
Sincerely,
The Lewandowski Family
Simi Valley, CA
