Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 36

a THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE SUNDAY, December 26, 2004. LANDMARKS Sheffield Village likely to be named historic district tion final Board marks AKLAND'S has meeting Advisory Preserva- held Land- of its the year. Looking ahead to 2005, the board is saying farewell to outgoing chairman Una Gilmartin and, with the leadership of new chairwoman Barbara Armstrong, is poised to pass along recommendations for several new city landmarks, as well as a new historic district, Sheffield Village, a remarkably intact mid-century-era housing development a mile south of the zoo. Earlier this year, members of the neighborhood's housing association initiated a nomination for the homes built in the early 1940s, says Landmarks Board Secretary Joann Pavlinec. "Whenever the homeowners themselves come in to start the process, generally things move along smoothly.

The process now calls for the nomination to go before the Planning Commission in January for further public comment, and then on to City Council for final designation." According to the resolution passed by the board, the proposed historic district is a distinctive neighborhood with a strong period architectural character. There are more than 300 well-preserved homes representing such period revival styles as Spanish, Monterey, French and English designed by mid-century architects such as Irwin Johnson and Theodore Thompson, "whose work in an historical context is only now gaining recognition by researchers," says Pavlinec. The homes were developed by the E.B. Field Co. beginning in 1939 and, say the historical files.

were "advertised as the greatest single group housing project in the West." As an FHAfinanced development. Sheffield Village exemplified the federal Depression era program designed to stimulate private housing construction and make homeownership available to working families through longterm mortgages. Sales prices were kept low through the use of modern construction methods, say the files. The original cost of homes in the development ranged from $4,700 to $6,000. FHA standards of the time called for design principles such as curvilinear streets adapted to the topography and natural features, generous and well-shaped lots and the inclusion of parks and playgrounds.

Also important, state the guidelines, was the establishment of a community organization of property owners. "Sheffield Village met all the criteria as called for in the FHA standards (known as Neighborhoods of Small Houses), and their neighborhood association has always been particularly active," says Pavlinec. Homeowner Chris Barker, who is spearheading the nation process, says members of the homeowners association were asked to vote on the issue. "A majority of members voted yes, so we are now moving forward." Barker was able to reproduce a sales brochure from the development's early days. which he found when researching his neighborhood at the library history room.

"The quaint brick fire place for cool evenings: the harmonious fixtures. the cheerful color scheme. hardwood floors. Venetian blinds." states the promotional piece. "You.

Mrs. Homemaker. will particularly delight in the ample closet space, the built-in conveniences. and the many little things that make your big job of housekeeping easier. The brochure goes on to say: "The effects of the devitalizing.

nerves-on-edge tenseness that harasses human beings in the rush of modern living can be reduced to a mild minimum with plenty of fresh air. sun and healthful recreation. "Along the edge of the property is a picturesque flowing stream, which is fed by the clean waters from nearby Lake Chabot. On the bank of this wooded stream Sheffield Villagers can picnic on rustic tables." Convenient connections to local bus lines (50 minutes to San Francisco via Foothill Boulevard and the Bay Bridge) was another touted selling point. According to the files, 15 years after the first phase of homes was built, the path of the MacArthur freeway skirted the district, and a half-dozen homes were lost to freeway construction.

Another (apparently unforeseen) consequence of the new freeway route: Direct access to other Oakland surface streets was cut off, forcing village residents to drive through San Leandro to reach their homes. In the mid-1980s, a short-lived bid on the part of some homeowners was launched to try secession from Oakland and annexation to San Leandro. But the effort failed. say the files. The next scheduled meeting of the Landmarks Board will be Jan.

10 in hearing room one, City Hall, starting at 4 p.m. For a copy of the agenda, contact Pavlinec at 238-6344. Next time: A look back with outgoing landmarks board chairman Ga de pot roar PROMOTIONAL materials from the 1940s, when Sheffield Village was first developed, reveal a neighborhood that is currently up for landmark status. affordable Mistion. Memorial FD FD FD Direct Cremation Complete, no other charges $840 Mission Funeral Graveside Service Complete $1795 Traditional Service Complete $2495 International Shipment additional Consultant fees and airfare $3487 Comparable savings on all other services.

1-800-420-6554 Se Habia Savings up to on caskets urns. Man dies in what police call apparent homicide by van I Gabriel Martinez, 19, identified 4000 block of Foothill Boulevard, striking Martinez. The van kept going without stopas city's 88th slaying of 2004 police said. ping, FROM STAFF REPORTS Martinez was declared dead at the scene at 12:55 a.m. Although he was struck by a OAKLAND A 19-year-old Oakland vehicle, the death is classified as homicide, man died early Christmas morning, a investigators said.

victim of an apparent homicide. The killing was the 88th homicide so far Police identified him as Gabriel Mar- this year, down from 111 homicides as tinez. ofChristmas Day 2003. Officers said Martinez and a friend got Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland into an argument with the occupants of a are offering up to $10,000 in reward van as they left a convenience in the money for information leading to the arrest 1900 block of 41st Avenue Martinez and of the killers. his friend started running, but the van fol- Anyone with information is asked to call lowed.

the Oakland Police Department at 238- The van caught up with the pair in the 3821 or Crime Stoppers at 238-6946. Vandals burn school play gear FROM STAFF REPORTS OAKLAND Vandals set fire late Friday to a new play structure at Bella Vista Elementary School, 1025 E. 28th in the third act of arson at the school in the last six months, firefighters said. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze was spreading to adjacent trees, which border a number of wooden portable, classroom buildings. Firefighters extinquished the fire in the trees.

They estimated damage to the play structure at $10,000. Annalee ALLEN Funeral In Memoriam To place a paid notice call Classified Advertising at (510) 293-2627 Funeral Notices are searchable online for 90 days at legacy.com/insidebayarea Of Oakland, passed away December 20, 2004. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edwin, of 49 years, and her son Jeffery. She is survived by her three sons, David, Steven and Matthew, five grandchildren and two great -grandchildren. Mary will be remembered for her deep love of painting, sculpture and lithography, her appreciation of family and friends, and her devobion to God.

Her art career began in New York City as a graphic artist. She concentrated on fine arts after her marriage to Ed and held many art exhibitions and one-woman shows. She taught at King and Frick Jr. High a and earned her master's degree at CCAC. She dearly loved her friends and family.

She would look for any excuse for a gathering to paint, sing, or raise a toast. She volunteered extensively with Corpus Christi Church, where she was a lay-minister and visited housebound members. She also volunteered with Hospice, where she brought comfort to many people. Everywhere she went, she touched lives and left blessings. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 28, at St.

Albert's Church, 5890 Birch Oakland, at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow. Cheers, Mom! Chapel of the Chimes "Service of Marked (510) 654-0123 www.chapelofthechimes.com BRADSHAW BARBARA MAXINE BRADSHAW April 23, 1928 December 21, 2004 BELL MARY BENEDICT BELL ARTIST Barbara M. Bradshaw passed away Tuesday at her residence in Alameda at the age of 76 years. Mrs.

Bradshaw was predeceased by her husband of 20 years, Hugo Bradshaw. She is survived by her children, John, Marvel, Dorian, Leatha Bradshaw, Debra Bradshaw Jones and the late Mark Bradshaw, and brother Frederick A. Chew Jr. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 8 great-nieces and -nephews. Mrs.

Bradshaw was a retired mental health care worker for Alameda County with 25 years of service, volunteer at the Oakland Museum, Red Cross and the Black Film Makers. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and travel. Visiting hours will be Monday, 3 to 8 p.m., at the Greer Family Mortuary, 2694 Blanding Alameda. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, December 28 (time and location to be determined). Final disposition, Mt.

View Cemetery, Oakland. Greer Family Mortuary, Alameda (510) 865-3755 COMACHO JUAN JOSE COMACHO Entered into rest December 22, 2004 at Washington Hospital in Fremont, CA. Born May 16, 1915 in Guadalajara, Mexico to Loreto and Eva Comacho, he was 89 years old. He was a Fremont resident for 30 years who was known as a hard worker and enjoyed working around the house. He was proud of becoming a U.S.

citizen in San Francisco in 1964. Loving husband of 52 years to Esperanza Comacho of Fremont, CA. Beloved father of Letia Margerita Aguilar, Arturo Comacho and Juan Jose Comacho, all of Chula Vista, CA. Dearest brother of Loreto Comacho of Hayward, Pilar Vallejo of San Mateo, Socorro Duran of San Leandro and Alberto Comacho of Guadalajara, Mexico. Family and friends are invited to attend a vigil service Monday, December 27 at 6 p.m.

with 1 visitation from 2 8 p.m. held at BergePappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Fremont. Funeral mass will be Tuesday, December 28 at 1 p.m. held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 40382 Fremont Fremont. Burial will follow at Irvington Memorial Cemetery.

For further information, please call: BERGE-PAPPAS SMITH CHAPEL $10 656 1226 ANGELS FO HAYNES I LEE V. HAYNES III Born in Oakland and lifelong resident of San Leandro, passed away December 21, 2004, at the age of 52. Dearly beloved husband of 32 years of Nancy Haynes. Loving father of Lee Vincent Haynes IV, Patrick Michael Haynes and Matthew Robert Haynes, all of San Leandro. Dear son of Lee V.

Jr. and Dolores Haynes of San Leandro. Brother of James Haynes, Patricia Turnbull and Dolores Haynes, all of San Leandro. Devoted grandfather of 4 grandchildren. Lee was a graduate of Pacific High School, worked for Consolidated Engineering Labs for 19 years.

He was instrumental in raising 3 of his sons and coached baseball for Washington Manor Little League for many years. Friends are respectfully invited to attend the Memorial Funeral Liturgy Tuesday, December 28, 2004, at St. Felicitas Catholic Church, 1662 Manor San Leandro, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be private at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. SANTOS MORTUARY SAN LEANDRO, (510)483-0123 GERDES SR.

RICHARD J. GERDES SR. December 31, 1915-November 30, 2004 Bud passed away on November 30, 2004 in Alameda, CA with his family by his side. He was preceded in death in 1995 by Violet Gerdes, his wife of 53 years. Together they resided in Alameda for 41 years.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1915 and began his career in engineering with the Grace Steamship Company He later served in WWII as an engineering officer with the rank of Lieutenant on the U.S.S. Merrimack and earned three WWII Campaign medals. He married Violet Kreek in 1942 in Brooklyn, New York and joined Todd Shipyard Corporation's Brooklyn, NY division as Ship Superintendent after the war. He was Nuclear Ship Superintendent for the Galveston, TX shipyard where the first and only U.S. nuclear passenger ship, the N.S.

Savannah, was built. As General Superintendent and Project Manager for U.S. Navy Projects at Todd's Alameda Shipyard, he received numerous commendations for managing ship repairs and retired as Assistant General Manager after 35 years of dedicated service. He is survived by his daughters, Veronica Case of Alameda and Joan Gerdes of Oakland, CA; his son, Richard Gerdes Jr. of Spring, TX; son-inlaw Steve Case; daughter-in-law Lisa Gerdes; grandsons Christopher Case; Alex and Richard Will" Gerdes, and granddaughter Meghan Gerdes.

He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father and grandpa and will be missed by the friends he came to know at Elder's Inn. We'll miss the strolls by the hotel, dinner at Scott's, rooting for our favorite baseball teams and most of all, our quiet talks together. We will cherish the memories of the special holidays we spent together, your conversations with the grandkids and the many wonderful summers with you at Lake Tahoe. Thank you for being the anchor that kept our family strong over the years. We're comforted knowing you are with those you loved so much during your life.

So long for now Dad. Your spirit and our memories of you will remain alive in our hearts forever. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31, 2004 at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, CA, 510-654-1023. NELSON MARILYN ANN NELSON July 17, 1932 December 20, 2004 Marilyn (Knudsen) Nelson passed away on December 20, 2004 at the age of 72.

Dearly beloved wife of Marvin Nelson for 54 years; loving and proud mother, of Vicki, Laurie, Susan and Ron. She adored her five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Marilyn was born in Berkeley to Mae and Evald Knudsen; both she and her parents were longtime El Cerrito residents. She was an active member of the El Cerrito Women's Club for 33 years, a member of the Castro School PTA and a 40-year volunteer at Children's Home Society in Oakland. She worked for ten years as a medical secretary for Drs.

Strieff, Sahud and Fister in Oakland. Marilyn's love for her family was always warm and protective. She touched many lives with her caring nature and fun-loving attitude towards life. Her spontaneous and original sense of humor are what most people will remember about her. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Tuesday, December 28, at 1:00 p.m.

at Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito. Contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the American Cancer Society. Sunset View Mortuary 510-525-5111 JOW HENRY H. JOW On December 22nd, 2004, Henry Jow said to all his many friends and family. For the last several weeks, Henry was waging a fierce battle for his battle which he ultimately surrendered to in the early hours of this morning.

Henry was born in Oregon in 1924. After moving to California, he attended school in the Oakland area. It was here that he would meet his future wife and companion for the rest of his life. During World War II, Henry served in Africa and Italy. Following his term of service in the Army Air Corps, he continued working for the government in a civilian capacity as at Alameda's Naval Air Rework Facility.

After retiring, Henry followed his many interests, from remote controlled airplanes to creating stained glass pictures. Henry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nadeen. Together, they had three children: Doug, the eldest, Edmund and Cynthia. His family also included his daughter-in-law, Lynne, son-in-law, John, and one who has become a part of the family, Karen. Henry had one grandchild: Kyle James.

Henry was a man of honor, carrying the role of husband, father, teacher and the finest tradition. He will be greatly missed by all who have known him and all whose lives he has touched. It was Henry's wish that he be remembered as he was. As such, he has asked that no services be performed on his behalf. For those wishing to donate in his name, please do so to your favorite charity.

Private interment at: Chapel of the Chimes 32992 Mission Boulevard Hayward, CA 94544 HOLIDAY NOTICE The paid obituary desk will be closed Friday, December 24, Saturday, December 25, and Sunday, December 26. MAGNUSON HEDWIG I. MAGNUSON Passed from this life to the next on Tuesday, December 21, 2004, at her home with her family by her side. She was the adoring mother of daughters, Judy and Linda, son-in-law, Nick, and daughter-in-law, Joann. Loving grandmother of Mike, Karen, Heather, Brian, John and three great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister, Ethel, sis Priscilla and May, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph, son, Harold, and daughters, Carol and Jean. Hedwig worked at the Rhodes as a cashier for more than twenty years. She touched many lives through her generous and caring nature. Her family remembers her years of volunteering at the Salem Lutheran Retirement Home, sewing quilts for charitable organizations, serving birthday cake and coffee to the residents, and making crafts to sell at the annual boutique.

Services will be held at Oakmont's Redwood Chapel, 2099 Reliez Valley Lafayette, on Tuesday, December 28, at 11 a.m., and visitation on Monday, December 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. Arrangements by: Oakmont Mortuary (925) 935-3311 HALBERT CLAYTON M. HALBERT Former Marin resident Clayton M. Halbert passed away at his home in Buhl, Idaho, Dec. 21 at the age of 77.

Clayton was an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and owned Scaffolding. Clayton is survived by his son Terry Halbert (Stevie) of Buhl, daughters Tyrie Peralta (Pedro) of Novato and Tammy McKinney of Clarksville, brother Marvin Halbert (Sharon) of Sebastapol and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth and wife Gwen. There will not be a service at this time. The family requests that donations be made to Philmont Staff Association, Philmont Scout Ranch, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714.

GILBERT BEEBE ANDERSON Died Sunday, December 19, 2004. He was 76. He is survived by his daughter Alline Anderson and son-in-law, Kurt Kessner of Missouri; son, Jess Anderson of Coos Bay. OR: sister, Ruby Hicks of Phoenix; brother, Ted and sister-in-law, Billie Anderson of Lakewood, CA; sister, Melba Squire of Fortuna, CA; in-laws, Robert and Marie Peckham of Pt. Richmond; Marjorie Hopkins of Fremont and Lubbuck.

TX; and an extended family. Gilbert was predeceased by his wife of almost 50 years Joan Peckham Anderson, who died in September, 2004. Born in Utah, Gil set off for California as a teenager, riding the rails and eventually landing in the Richmond shipyards during WWII. This work led to his joining the Operating Engineers (Local 3) in 1956. Gil spent 40 years working all over the West Coast, first as crane operator and dredgerman, then as a Business Agent for the union.

He loved his work and all the people he had the good fortune to work with. At Golden Gate Tip Toppers, a social club for tall people, 7-foot-tall Gilbert met his wife, Joan. They were married in 1954 and settled in Fremont. The two contributed much to their' community, from scouting, PTA and Fremont Newcomer's Club to helping with American High School when it was just a gleam in Joe Tranchina's eye. Gil was active in the LDS (Mormon) Church.

His most recent (and probably favorite) volunteer position was as high school Seminary Principal, which involved getting up daily at 4:00 a.m. during the school year. He felt that the sacrifice of a few hours of sleep was worth the opportunity to know these remarkable young people. Among other community activities, he served as a volunteer driver for Elder LifeCare's Meals-on-Wheels, often at the peril of others on the road. People seldom forgot Gilbert with his height and his gregarious, kind nature he was one of a kind.

He enjoyed travel, fishing, reading, history, politics and talking by the hour. He will be missed by many. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Tuesday, December 28,2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 3551 Decoto Road, Fremont. A light lunch will be served afterwards.

All are welcome. In lieu of flowers his family respectfully asks that you consider a donation in his memory to the non-profit Life on Wheels (www.lifeeldercare.org) at 3300 Capitol Fremont, CA 94538 or a donation to the charity of your choice. We wish to thank friends and family for their love and support during the last few months. Additionally, we send a heartfelt thank you to the often unsung caregivers at Washington Hospital. The respiratory and physical therapists; the Aides.

LVNs and RNs; the custodians and even the valets your kindness, thoughtfulness and dedicated work on behalf of Gilbert is much appreciated. 11.