Foothills Sentry - January 2025

Foothills Sentry Page 10 JANUARY 2025 You can STOP the SPREAD Protect your oaks before the larvae hatch in March. Inspect. Identify. Treat. Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1801073 Ron Esparza, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0C79663 827 S. Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92866 Bus: 714-505-3400 ron@ronesparza.com William Dean Brown 1948 – 2024 Dean Brown, age 76, passed away on Dec. 5. He is survived by his daughters, Nicole and Natalie, his son-in-law Chris and grandchildren, Mia and Wittaker. He grew up in Eagle Rock with a wonderful family. He served in the Vietnam War as a Marine and a naval gunfire forward observer in the 9th Am- phibious Brigade. Two weeks after returning home from war, Dean married Renee LeClaire, the love of his life. They sent hundreds of letters to each other during the war, and he always said that’s what kept him sane and alive. He received his Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning at California State Polytechnic Uni- versity, Pomona. Dean and Renee moved to Modjeska Canyon in the early 1970s, and had Nicole and Nat- alie. He created his business, the Planning Consortium, and worked on thousands of land use projects over his lifetime. They traveled extensively throughout the United States in a VW bus and then an old camper school bus, the Red Arrow. He went on many adventures with his friends in Mexico, fish- ing trips to Baja and Alaska, and had a few fantastic trips to Eu- rope. He loved the canyon life in Modjeska, living next to some of his best friends and enjoying quiet, beautiful nature. Dean loved to golf, ski, hike, snorkel, waterski -- and he won every game of pingpong. He was an avid Dodger fan his whole life, thanks to his Dad Orval, and countless friends who attended games with him. His best friend and cousin Craig was a constant in his life. They had a lot of fun together. He was also a very tal- ented artist in drawing, painting and photography. He spent a lot of time on Maui these past 15 years with his daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. On his 76th birthday, he hiked and swam to a beautiful Maui waterfall, surrounded by his kids, grandkids and their friends, splashing and playing and enjoy- ing the best of nature and life. He was a smart, industrious, fun, creative, exuberant, sweet man who was liked by all and loved by many. He was a fantastic friend, father and Grandpa, and will be forever missed. Mark Murphy 1957 – 2024 Joseph Fortier 1940 – 2024 The community was saddened to learn that Mark Murphy, long- time champion of all things Or- ange, passed away at his home on Friday, Dec. 6, at the age of 67. Mark was an Orange native and proud Orange High Panther, who served the city in a number of On Friday, November 15, Jo- seph August Fortier peacefully passed away at the age of 84, fol- lowing a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. His enduring love for his family and deep faith in God were sources of strength and solace throughout his journey. Joe was born onApril 28, 1940, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Emma Fortier. He grew up with his sister, Vickie Oaks, in a household that valued capacities, as Planning Commis- sion Chairman, Millennium Com- mission Chair and Community Video Advisory Board President. Mark was appointed to the city council in 1993 and subsequently elected mayor of Orange in 2018 and 2020. During his 30-year ca- reer in city government he served as a councilman for 17 years and mayor for 10, with two-year break in 2010-12. Mark was instrumental in the completion of major community projects, including Grijalva Park, The Outlets at Orange, Main Or- ange Library expansion and His- tory Center, and the design and build of at least six city parks, the preservation of Plaza Park, and the creation of the Paseo. He was named “Citizen of the Year” and Orange County’s “Lo- cal Elected Official of the Year.” education and service. Joe gradu- ated from Franklin High School, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Clarion Univer- sity, and later completed a Master of Education at the University of Southern California. Joe dedicated 32 years to edu- cation, first as a teacher and later as an elementary school principal, where he became a beloved ad- vocate for students and teachers alike. His passion for learning and leadership left an indelible mark on countless lives. Beyond his career, Joe was deeply committed to service. As president of the Rotary Club of Orange, he led efforts to deliver hospital beds to a medical clinic in Zimbabwe and initiated a mini- grant program for teachers. He volunteered at Mary’s Kitchen, involving his Rotary Club in do- nating supplies and starting a volunteer program. Active in his community, Joe served as a traffic commissioner for Orange, trea- surer for the Santiago Community Foundation, and a board member for the Orange Education Board and the American Cancer Soci- He brought his business acumen to regional boards, including the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency and the Southern California Re- gional Rail Authority. Mark was active in community organiza- tions, including the Orange Elks, where he was a member for over 30 years, the Friendly Center, the Orange Public Library Founda- tion and Community Foundation of Orange. In 2023, Mark and his wife Vikki, married since 1997, were honored with the “Community Circle Award” by the Assistance League of Orange for their many contributions to the community. A graduate of USC, Mark had a long career at Hewlett Packard. Mark is survived by his wife Vik- ki and mother Lois. ety’s fundraising board. In 2009, he was named Citizen of the Year for the City of Orange. Joe also embraced adventure. He organized annual trips to Yo- semite, where he enjoyed hiking, biking, and playing guitar by the campfire. A lifelong sports enthu- siast, he cheered passionately for the Dodgers, USC Trojans, Rams, and Lakers. He loved golf, bridge, country music, and attending his grandchildren’s events, finding joy in every moment with his family. Joe married the love of his life, Jacqueline Bonfiglio, on June 18, 1966. Together, they shared 53 joyful years, raising two daugh- ters, Lisa Britt (Steve) and Karen Dahler (Mark), and cherishing their four grandchildren, Logan, Brandon, Brooke, and Owen. A devout Christian, Joe hosted weekly Bible studies at his home and found comfort in his faith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie, and his parents. Joe’s warmth, faith, and ad- venturous spirit will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love and service lives on. If it is the third Tuesday of the month, the Orange Elks will be raising and lowering the flag, at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., at Plaza Park, reflecting their appreciation and support of veterans.