Santa Cruz Sentinel from Santa Cruz, California • Page 10

A-10 Saturday, Dec. 18, 1993 Sentinel Obituaries threace nding Scout DISS ns tu Connecticut United Way may cut aid over ban on gays Rodney Thompson Services will be Monday for Rodney "Rod" D. Thompson, a Santa Cruz resident who was killed Wednesday in a Highway 17 car crash. He was 31. Born in London, Mr.

Thompson A private committal will take place later in the week. The family prefers donations be sent to Valley Churches United, 9340 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, Calif. 95005. Gordon W. Byrne r' -m.

I snent manv vears Parents tell us that an avowed homosexual is just not a desirable role Richard Walker, Scouts' spokesman ill ntn iticAji.u and had lived in Santa Cruz for the past 10 years. He was an active founding member, teacher and song leader of the Church of Thrist in San from the New Haven United Way will be required to sign "an assurance of compliance" with all policies, as well as applicable federal and state laws, Fiscus said. The new policy, which must be signed by the spring of next year, directs the United Way and its affiliates to conduct themselves "on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, mental disability, marital status," among others. While those organizations that do not sign on to the policy would lose funds authorized by the board of the New Haven United Way, the organization said it would still pass along individual donations that contributors specifically earmarked for a particular recipient like the Boy Scouts. Officials at the United Way of America said that its affiliate in Portland, Maine, was believed to be the only other one in the Northeast, among a handful nationwide, that had adopted similar policies, some of them aimed directly at the Scouts.

United Way groups, which govern themselves on a local level but have long supported the 86-year-old Scout program, give a total of about $86 million to Scout troops each year. Walker, the Scouts' spokesman, said that in all cases, those councils that had lost United Way funding had been able to compensate with money from other sources. In contrast to the New Haven United Way, United Way groups in the Newark area and in Westchester and Putnam Counties in New York said that there had been no one in their communities clamoring for anti-discrimination policies against the Scouts. The New Haven group had come under fire from New Haven city officials and a student group at Yale, among others, to rein in the Scouts after the dismissal of the leader. The New York Times A Connecticut United Way group Thursday threatened to cut off financial support for a local Boy Scout council unless the organization signed a pledge that it would no longer discriminate against gay people.

The new policy by the United Way of Greater New Haven was believed to be among the first of its kind in the Northeast. United Ways in San Francisco and Santa Cruz County cut off support to the Boy Scouts in their areas ago because of the organization's national policy barring membership to homosexuals. While the New Haven United Way emphasized that its non-discrimination policy applied to all recipients of its donations, it had been under intense political pressure to cut off support to the Scouts after it was disclosed this week that the Quinnipiac Council of Boy Scouts had dismissed a veteran Scout leader solely because he is homosexual. The Quinnipiac Council, based in Hamden, receives $70,000, less than 10 percent of its budget, from the United Way. The 67-year-old volunteer Scout leader, a former Eagle Scout who spoke on condition of anonymity because he fears harassment, said in a telephone interview that he had been dismissed by the council last month after someone he does not know who brought his homosexuality to the Scouts' attention.

He said his private life might have been made public because he attends a New Haven church that is primarily attended by gay people. "They secretly investigated me for four weeks," he said of the Scouts. "Then they convicted me." In 23 years as a Scout and then a Scout leader, he said, there had never been any complaints about him. The Quinnipiac Council, which serves about 43,000 youths in south-central Connecticut, referred questions to the Scouts' north- east regional office in Dayton, N.J., which in turn deferred to the Boy Scouts of America in Dallas. Richard Walker, the national spokesman for the Scouts, said there was "not a chance" that the organization, known for teaching outdoor skills and homespun virtues to four generations of American boys, would alter its stance on homosexuals.

He added that local councils were not permitted to sign agreements that were at odds with the national policy. "Our national policy is based on what parents expect from us," Walker said. "Parents tell us that an avowed homosexual is just not a desirable role model." At a news conference Thursday, Bob Fis-cus, president of the New Haven United Way, refused to single out the Scout leader's dismissal as the impetus for the new policy. While he said he was "aware of the feeling of some in our community" that the United Way should stop financing the Scouts in response to the incident, he said the new policy was "not directly related to this matter" and had been under discussion since early this year. Under the directive, which will take effect in 1995 because the 1994 campaign is already under way, all agencies that receive money Private memorial services have taken place for Gordon W.

Byrne, who died Thursday at Watsonville Community Hospital after a brief illness. He was 80. A native of Des Moines, N.M., Mr. Byrne moved to California in 1943 to work in the defense industry. He owned and operated Cal Coast Beauty Supply in Santa Cruz for 15 years, retiring in 1983.

For the past 12 years, he lived in Watsonville. He is survived by his wife, Hazel M. Byrne, of Watsonville; his daughter, Jerre L. Bruyn of Sunnyvale; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Private cremation took place at the Soquel Cemetery with interment at Los Gatos Memorial Park.

Davis Memorial Chapel of Watsonville was in charge of arrangements. Contributions are preferred to the American Heart Association. John R. Serpa Services are Sunday for John R. Serpa, a resident of Watsonville for more than 80 years who died Friday in a local convalescent hospital.

He was 82. A native of the Azores Islands, Mr. Serpa immigrated to Watsonville while an infant. He attended local schools and was a shipyard worker during World War II. After the war, he operated a dairy in northern Monterey County for 12 years.

Mr. Serpa also supervised strawberry growing operations for California Farm Products, a forerunner of Smuck-ers. Before retiring in 1976, he also served as head custodian at Amesti School for 10 years. Mr. Serpa was a member of Valley Roman Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Madeline Serpa of Watsonville; and his daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Gary Ewers of Watsonville. Services will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Mehl's Colonial Chapel, 222 E. Lake Watsonville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m.

Monday at Valley Roman Catholic Church, 2401 E. Lake Watsonville. Burial will follow at Watsonville Catholic Cemetery, 66 Marin St. Mehl's Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Thompson Valley.

He loved helping people and his hobby was counseling dysfunctional people. He is survived by his son, Nicolas Dean Thompson of Santa Cruz; his parents, Darlys and Or-ville Thompson of Bosque Farms, N.M.; four sisters, including his twin, Roxanna Larson of Mesa, Carolyn Stevens of Seattle, Debra Bedient of I'hoenix, and Sheila McGlothlin of Bosque Farms, N.M.; and a brother, Tommy Thompson of Santa Cruz. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Santa Cruz Memorial Park Mission Chapel, under the direction of Santa Cruz Memorial Park Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends at the Mission Chapel will be from 3-8 p.m.

Sunday and on Monday morning from a.m. until the time of the service. Graveside services will follow at Santa Cruz Memorial Park. Contributions are preferred to the Church of Christ in San Lorenzo Valley, 6676 Rose Acres Lane, Felton, Calif. 95018.

Thomas Treglia Services will be Monday for Thomas Anthony Treglia, who died Wednesday at his Ben Lomond home. He was 44. A native of the Bronx, N.Y., he was an automotive technician for North Bay Ford in Santa Cruz. His career in auto repairs spanned 35 years. Prior to working for North Bay, he worked for Ernie's Auto Center in Felton.

He was an avid sports fan and particularly enjoyed the Oakland A's and Los Angeles Raiders baseball and football teams. He was a graduate of the State University of New York at Stony-brook on Long Island. He lived in Santa Cruz area for the past 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Janet Treglia of Men Lomond and a stepdaughter, Lana Register of Bandera, Texas. Services will be at 1 p.m.

Monday at Norman's Family Chapel, 3620 Sequel Drive, Soquel. Vital statistics Odd assortment of items in drag queen's closet BIRTHS BIRTHS Dominican Hospital DYER Dec. 14 at 4:57 a.m. to Jenifer Leah (Bickers) andAndrew Mark Price Dyer, Santa Cruz, a 7-pound, 6-ounce bov, NoahJohnsbn. BIRKHOFER Dec.

14 at 11:59 a.m. to Carrie Lynne (Gates)and Eric Dean Birkhofer, Santa Cruz, an 8-pound, 8-ounce girl, SarahNoelle. FUNERALS female impersonators. He died Aug. 29.

On Oct. 19, friends of Corey went to his fifth-floor apartment in Harlem to look through his expansive wardrobe, police said. They made their grisly discovery after coming across a heavy trunk. Inside was a male body, tucked into a fetal position and wrapped in imitation leather. Police soon determined the man died from a gunshot to the back of the head.

But the body's dried and shriveled state made finding out who he was and when he died difficult. Soaking the body in a special solution to loosen up the skin, investigators took a fingerprint they eventually matched with a name: Robert Wells. The Associated Press NEW YORK When famed drag queen Dorian Corey died earlier this year, he didn't leave any skeletons in the closet. He did, however, leave wigs, sequined dresses, feather boas and the mummified body of a murder victim. Friends of Corey found the body in October while rummaging through his Manhattan apartment after he died of AIDS.

Two months later, investigators still oan't explain how it got there. "This remains a complete mystery," said Detective Louis Llanes, a police spokesman. Corey, f6, was a veteran of the drag show circuit and star of the 1991 documentary "Paris Is Burning," which chronicled the lives of DUFFIELD-At the Hospice of Monterey on December 15, 1993. Richard McGrath. Survived bv his wife, Jony Duf-field of Salinas; stepson, David Henderson of San Jose, CA; and brother, Jack Duffield of Danbury, CT.

Mr. Duffield had been a Monterey County resident for 22 years. He attended U.S.C and served in the U.S. Navy in WWII. He worked as an account executive for K.S.C.O.

radio and was an avid golfer and member of the Bay Club. No services are planned. Cremation will be held at the Little Chapel bv the Sea, under the direction of Paul Mortuary. Contributions preferred to the Hospice House, P.O. Box 2480, Monterey, CA 93942 Family complains Dominican Hospital DUTERTE Dec.

3 at 10:05 a.m. to Ruth Anne (Vavuris) andBrendan O'Keefe Duterte, a 7-pound girl, Martha Nicole. YOUNG Dec. 10 at 8:01 a.m. to Anita Louise (Moss) andGravelin Lee Young, a 7-pound, 9-ounce girl, Aladrianne Elizabeth-Elaine.

ESSEX Dec. 10 at 8:38 p.m. to Terri Marie Essex, 5-pound 11 -ounce girl, Allison Jolene. PASE Dec. 10 at 9:5 and 10:39 a.m., to Mary Jane (Elliott) and Roger William Pase, a 3-pound, 10- ounce girl, Jenevieve Marie and a 5-pound, t-wnce girl, Nicole Beville.

WALTON Dec. 11 at 12:17 a.m. to Deborah Janet (Burns)and Michael Scott Walton, Santa Cruz, an 8-pound, 11- ounce boy, ClayFrancis. KOSCINSKI Dec. 11 at 8:55 a.m.

to Kristin SuzannePruitt and Robert Joseph Koscinski, Santa Cruz, an 8-pound bov.Derek Joseph. DIAZ-ORTEGA Dec. 11 at 9:25 a.m. to Marina OrlegaPuentes and Domingo Diaz Ramirez, Santa Cruz, a 5-pound, 15-ouncebov, Cristian Uriel Heriberto. ENGELSGAARD Dec.

11 at 6:25 a.m. to Lisa Marie (Bollen)and Anthony Joseph Engelsgaard, Santa Cruz, a 10-pound girl, EmilyMarie. DUNN Dec. 11 at 6:11 p.m. to Elizabeth Su-sette (Carr)and Herbert Leslie Dunn, an 8-pound, 12- ounce girl, Kirsten Nicole.

DAVIS Dec. 11 at 4:28 p.m. to Lucy Gertrude Robbins andHenry Matthew Davis, Santa Cruz, a 7-pound, 11 -ounce girl, MadeleineGrace. HENDERSON Dec. 11 at 2:55 p.m.

to Heather KayHenderson, an 8-pound, 13-ounce boy, Kaleb Further. SEVILLE JR. Dec. 11 at 1:02 a.m. to Sharon Michelle(Thompson) and Rick Alan Seville, Soquel, a 4-pound, 9-ounce boy.Rick Alan.

BROWNE Dec. 12 at 4:31 p.m. to Julia Maria (Baricevic)and Douglas Francis Browne, Santa Cruz, a 9-pound, 2-ounce girl.Megan Nicole. VAZQUEZ-ORTIGOZA Dec. 12 at 1:59 p.m.

to Socorro ZoylaOrtigoza Sumano and Lazaro Misael Vazquez Corro, Santa Cruz, a 7-pound, 4-ounce girl, Hitzel Lupita. GAWLIK Dec. 13 at 11:33 p.m. to Janice Christine Paliaand William Edward Gawlik Santa Cruz, a 6-pound, 14-ounce girl.Ruby Palia. SANCHEZ Dec.

13 at 2:23 p.m. to Melissa Jeanne (Cocchi)and Erik Jon Sanchez, Santa Cruz, an 8-pound, 5-ounce boy, Jacob Adam. VALENCIA JR. Dec. 14 at 11:38 a.m.

to Sole-dad LaCorte(Cafe) and Danilo Villegas Valencia, Santa Cruz, a 7-pound, 4-ounceboy, Danilo Timothy Cafe. SANCHEZ Dec. 14 at 4:18 a.m. to Carmen Marie (Aboytez)and Larry Ray Sanchez, Watsonville, a 6-pound, 7-ounce girl, DinaAman-da Marie. BOEHRINGER Dec.

14 at 9:30 p.m. to Jennifer Camille(Smith) and Walter Peter Boehringer, an 8-pound, 12-ounce girl, AmberCamille. NOGMANS family chapel 3620 SOQUEL DRIVE SOQUEL 476-6211 You are welcome to write about your loved ones in an "In Memoriam" or "Card of Photos or pictures can be Included. For details call Kathy Kolaski at Santa Cruz County bent in el Classified Department 423-4242 Ext. 296 derstanding Drinkwater had permission to stay, implying the case was a civil matter.

Keith Rigby initially described himself as "satisfied" until learning that the break-in had been reported as a trespass instead of a burglary and was never referred to the District Attorney's Office. At the time of the break-in, Drinkwater had three pending felony charges. "He can point guns at people and not get in trouble, he can drive without a license and not get in trouble, he can do drugs and not get in trouble," Rebecca Nicholson said. Nicholson, who married Drinkwater after he left the Rigby home, told the Sentinel that she decided to turn Drinkwater in to Oregon authorities this month because she was fed up with his drug use and failure to find a job. The Rigbys say their faith in law enforcement has been shaken by their experience.

"We're unhappy the report taken was never forwarded to the DA's office and because there was no follow-up, he was allowed to come back and steal from us again," Kim Rigby said. "We're also unhappy we did not get the complete picture in the beginning." "Knowing the danger that's involved in being a confidential informant, would you have wanted him staying in your home?" Rich asked. "(The officer) knew he had three current felony cases and failed to tell the truth about Drinkwater. I find that to be early June. The couple say Christiansen told them Drinkwater was honest, would not steal and needed to stay away from his girlfriend, who Christiansen allegedly described as a bad influence.

The deputy, the Rigbys now say, never mentioned that Drinkwater had a record of misdemeanor arrests and three pending felony cases, including a weapons charge. Nor did he mention, according to Rich, Drinkwater's long history of acting as a confidential informant. Drinkwater reportedly was instrumental in providing information leading to the arrest of convicted triple murderer Mark Cunningham in the mid-1980s in the San Lorenzo Valley. According to Hemingway, the deputy only told the Rigbys he was visiting Drinkwater to serve civil papers. Hemingway declined to say what the civil papers were.

"(The Rigbys) are alleging our officer gave them a reference," said Hemingway. He told Mr. Rigby that (Drinkwater) was not having any criminal problems with the Sheriffs Office. It (the paper) was not a warrant and that the Sheriffs Office was not actively looking for Mr. Drinkwater." According to Hemingway, the officer told Rigby it was "his decision whether he wants to keep in a relationship with Mr.

Drinkwater." "If Mr. Rigby had a problem with the Sheriffs Office, he is free to phone me," Hemingway said. "I will check into it and take appropriate action." Continued from Vane A I He said Rich, a friend and associated of civilian police review advocate Ben Rice, was using the Rig-bys to put the Sheriff's Office in a bud light. "They want to see justice done, plain and simple," Rich replied. Rigby, 37, a painting contractor, lives in Live Oak with his wife, a nurse, their 13-year-old daughter, and twin boys, age 9.

He says he received a call last May from Drinkwater, whom he used to babysit years ago. Drinkwater reportedly asked Rigby if his car needed any work. After doing the work, Drinkwater asked if he could to sleep overnight because be had broken up with his girlfriend, Rebecca Nicholson. Rigby agreed, saying be felt sorry for him. What Rigby didn't know was Nicholson had filed two restraining orders against Drinkwater after he threatened her, according to Superior Court records.

Neither order is valid now. Rigby's wife later received warnings about Drinkwater from Nicholson, and Nicholson's mother, Tia Scott. Scott told the Sentinel she reported Drinkwater for assaulting her and possessing drugs earlier this year, but says no charges have been filed. Keith Rigby, concerned for his family's welfare, told Drinkwater he needed references before he would let him continuing staying at his home. Deputy Steve Christiansen came to the Rigbys' home in late May or By early June, the Rigbys say, they realized Drinkwater was working with the police.

Drinkwater told them he was working "undercover" with Christiansen, the District Attorney's Office, and the FBI. Meanwhile, Drinkwater began creating problems, according to Keith Rigby: A check was altered, a paint sprayer was taken without permission, a driver's license borrowed and never returned. He eventually left the Rigbys' home by late June, they said, with no permission to return. While the Rigbys were on vacation, they say, Drinkwater broke into their home, a break-in verified by a neighbor and Drinkwater's girlfriend, Nicholson, who accompanied him. They say the break-in was reported to the Sheriffs Office by a family friend.

Drinkwater apparently took Rigby's car registration, which turned up missing. He returned in late September, according to Nicholson, to take a chain saw from their storage shed. He also stayed in their house for several days, they said, and helped himself to food. The alleged theft of the chain saw was reported last week, after Nicholson turned it over to Oregon authorities. When Keith Rigby called Deputy Christiansen on July 14, the officer said he did not want to get involved, Rigby said.

The Rigbys say they called the Sheriffs Office three times before calling Hemingway, the community relations officer. After that call, they say, an officer called, told them it was his un Give The Gift Of Comfort That Will Last A Lifetime oPowev cift (Recline Chairs Holmes, voice of French Resistance, dies Lottery The Associated Press Fantasy 5 The numbers picked Friday: 6, 15, 18, 25, 35. Decco The playing cards picked Friday: hearts, clubs, 10; diamonds, 10; spades, queen. Daily 3 The numbers picked Friday: 1, 1, 4. Exclusive Lifetime Warranty Ideal For Assisting Those With arthritis circulatory problems hip replacement cardiac conditions knee surgery respiratory conditions A VAILABLE 29 DECORA TIVE FABRICS ABILITY TO USTOM SIZE A CHAIR TO FIT VIRTVAI.L EVERY NEED The Associated Press AVIGNON, France Pierre Holmes, whose voice on the BBC during World War II passed coded messages to the Resistance and served as a beacon of hope for the French under occupation, has died at 81.

Holmes died Dec. 7 in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a village where he lived near the southern city of Avignon, village officials said Friday. They did not disclose the cause of death. From 1942 to 1944, Holmes announced a nightly 15-minute segment from London on the British Broadcasting Corp. called "Les francais parlent aux fran-cais" (The French speak to the French).

Working for the Free French Forces under Gen. Charles de Gaulle, Holmes broadcast coded messages to Resistance fighters on arms drops, attacks and other missions. "The carrots are cooked," and other cryptic phrases wereuused. D-Day, the Allied invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944, was signaled by a line of verse from the poet Paul Verlaine, "Long violin sobs rock my heart in monotonous languish." The D-Day announcement signaled Resistance fighters to carry out sabotage attacks and diversionary operations ahead of the Allied forces. Although most couldn't understand the code, Frenchmen gathered in their basements and attics to listen to Holmes' voice fade in and out as German forces tried to jam the signal.

"It was like a symbolic reunion every night, it boosted our morale. It was our link with the free world," said Colette Gerard Burns, who was a teen-ager in Paris during the German occupation. The British-born Holmes, whose father was English and whose mother was French, became a naturalized French citizen in 1934. He worked as a hotelier on cruise ships before the war and later worked in shipping and radio before retiring during the 1970s. He was buried in La Digne-d'Aval, near Limoux in the eastern Pyrenees mountains.

Information about survivors was not available. QOLDEN lEOiNOUXZES I VOLUNTEER TUTORS NEEDED (408)423-0554 I W2 PHARMACY MEDICAL 1226A Soquel Avenue Santa Cruz 423-2315 VOLUNTEER CENTER Sun Cm County iMnksnnmraraB.