Foothills Sentry September 2020

Foothills Sentry Page 18 September 2020 A warm thank you to our loyal customers who have kept us going during these challenging times. We are honored and humbled by your support! Da Bianca is open for al fresco patio dining (it is shaded and breezy!) as well as takeout. We are following all health and safety guidelines. Please visit www.dabianca.com for nightly specials and more info. Ci Vediamo! Marjan and the Da Bianca Staff T R A T T O R I A Grazie! Reservations Recommended 714-289-1508 www.dabianca.com NEW HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday 4:30-9:00 pm 7448 E. Chapman Ave. Orange (on the corner of Chapman and Newport) Herbert Franklin Bryant II, bet- ter known as “Sonny,” 71, passed away on Aug. 9, from COVID-re- lated complications. His beloved companion of 15 years, Labrador Gretchen, passed shortly after, the same day. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Martha Bryant, who moved to California after serving in WWII to raise their children, Sonny and Linda, in Orange. Sonny was always drawn to mechanical things. Martha loved to tell how, as a youngster, Sonny took apart her toaster because he wanted to see how it worked from the inside, and would beam as she bragged how it worked (bet- ter, in her opinion) after he put it back together. His parents owned Westco Auto Supply on Katella, and it was there Sonny became known for “fixing things,” espe- cially engines. Sonny gained a reputation as both a talented engine-builder and racer while still a student at Villa Park High School (class of 1967). Sonny, also a talented baseball player, was “kicked off” the baseball team by Coach Pomeroy, who told him he had to pick one passion or the other. The racing world is lucky he dropped baseball. In true Sonny fash- ion, he remained friendly and in touch with his coach, who helped him design a batting cage for his grandson nearly 50 years later. Sonny founded Bryant Rac- ing in 1973. Initially an engine- building company, Bryant Rac- ing began producing crankshafts around the time Sonny hung up his driver’s helmet. Before retir- ing, he raced at several levels before becoming the ProStock builder/driver icon. With sev- eral National Championships and records of his own, Sonny built many award-winning engines, and was known as a force both on the track and in the pit. Fiercely competitive, Sonny shifted focus wholly to manufac- turing the best crankshafts pos- sible in 1981. Known as an inno- vator and a perfectionist, Sonny built Bryant Racing into a suc- cessful business. Today, Bryant Racing crankshafts are used in every racing platform, with cus- tomers all around the world. A licensed pilot for nearly 50 years, Sonny enjoyed flying to Cabo San Lucas, where he could go deep sea fishing. An acknowl- edged workaholic, sailing the seas while blasting country music in the hunt for dorado and tuna was Sonny’s true respite. Donald Duaine Mott 1937-2020 Donald Mott died on Aug. 5, and is survived by Sandra, his wife of 64 years; son, Darin Mott; daughter, Tobin Rodina; son- in-law, Mark Rodina; brother, Charles Mott of Yukon, Okla- homa; and grandchildren, Tanner James Mott and Baily Rose Mott. After graduating high school in Correctionville, Iowa, Don en- listed in the U.S. Navy in 1956. He served four years as a trainer of future sonar men at the U.S. Navy Sonar School at San Diego, spending a considerable amount of time onboard the USS Currier, DE-700, chasing submarines. Upon completion of his mili- tary duty, he worked for nine years in the financial/banking in- dustry, making a career change in the late 1960s to pursue his dream of teaching. He completed his education at Cal State, Fullerton and began teaching at El Modena High School in Orange in 1972, where he spent his most reward- ing professional years teaching, coaching baseball and football, and serving his final years as the school’s athletic director. He was honored by placement in the El Modena High School Athletics Hall of Fame in May of 2011. Retiring in 2000, he devoted time to his beloved grandchil- dren and to his favorite pastime of golf, working as a marshal at Riverview Golf Course in Santa Ana. Don spent his final year at “The Groves of Tustin,” where he received loving care from a host of caregivers, for which the fam- ily has been very grateful. Due to COVID-19 and in com- pliance with Don’s wishes, a small family service will be held at a future date and he will be in- terred at El Toro Memorial Park in El Toro. Donations in his name may be directed to the athletic department at El Modena High School, as per his wishes. Herbert “Sonny” Franklin Bryant II 1948-2020 Sonny was known as a gracious and giving man, supporting nu- merous charities, especially those that served animals. He enjoyed helping others. Sonny enjoyed the equestrian community of OPA, where he lived the last 17 years, and would spend his Satur- days working on the trails in his tractor. He loved helping main- tain the trails his girlfriend, sister and granddaughter rode on. If you ever needed a favor, the answer was almost always “yes.” Well, actually it was, “Do I get paid?” If you asked how much, the answer was always “a penny.” It was this sarcastic wit and giving heart that earned Sonny the loyal friendship and love of so many. In addition to the many friends who mourn this loss, Sonny will be especially missed by his long- time girlfriend Robin Brooks, sister Linda Herrington (Jack), daughter Darshan Smaaladen (Jim), grandchildren Mason, Bry- ant and Andrea Smaaladen, niece Traci Blume (Chris), nephew Trevor Herrington, and extended family (Robin), daughters Kan- diss Connor (Matt), Erica Grant (Chris) and Elizabeth Brooks. Out of respect for the serious- ness of the virus that stole this vibrant, strong, loved man, there will be no public service. Instead, the family asks you to raise a bot- tle of Pacifico in his honor, and share your favorite Sonny story in the guest book at shannonfami- lymortuary.com . In lieu of flowers, please con- sider a donation to Racers for Christ organization, teamrfc.org or the ASPCA; the two things Sonny was passionate about, rac- ing and his dog. Philip Samuel Poulen 1927- 2020 Philip Samuel Poulen peace- fully passed into his Savior’s presence from his Laguna Beach home on May 17. Philip was born in Burlington, Vermont to Dorothy Bresett on August 6, 1927, but was raised by his adoptive parents, Gladys and Samuel E. Poulen. When Samuel contracted a serious illness from working as a granite polisher, Phil did whatever he could to help. He knocked on every door selling laundry soap and holiday cards, and saved every penny he made. He was able to use that change to change his life. At 15, he helped his parents move to a warmer climate in Long Beach, where Samuel opened a small corner market. Phil at- tended Poly High School from 1941-1945, where he met his fu- ture bride. In 1945, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve as Seaman 2nd Class, and served as a cook in Seattle. He was able to utilize his G.I. Bill and attend USC, gradu- ating in 1950 with a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees. Phil married his childhood sweetheart Rosemary Cournoyer on August 17, 1950. Soon after- wards, Greg and Lisa were born. In 1955, Phil started as a school- teacher, and in 1957 he became the youngest principal in the Tus- tin Unified School District, where he enjoyed a 30-year career at Guin Foss and Helen Estock Ele- mentary Schools. Many benefited from his mentorship. He enjoyed summers off, trav- eling by trailer with his family, visiting relatives in Massachu- setts, Vermont and Connecticut. He also got a summer job sell- ing real estate, where he outsold the full-timers. Living in poverty as a youth, the tough times gave him the drive to succeed. He built his life on hard work, but since he loved what he did, he felt he never ‘worked’ a day in his life. Phil’s life was rich in struggles and success, so he always had a story to be told. His larger-than- life personality, generosity and warmth left behind a huge legacy. He was a whirlwind of energy, an avid golfer, skier, fisherman, tennis player, bowler and horse racing fan. But spending time with family and friends was his greatest joy. From camping to cruising, Phil loved to travel. He enjoyed camping so much that his second career was in the moun- tains of Lake Tahoe, where he and his family operated the Lake Tahoe KOA Campground from 1978-2018, creating wonderful memories for many. Phil will be remembered for many things, but mostly for the love and devotion he had for his family and his wife of over 52 years. He was a wonderful fa- ther-in-law to Nanci and Michael, grandfather to Chip, Sara, Shawn, Corey, Marcus and Brittany, and great-grandfather to Kyla, Lucy, Logan, Molly and Elijah. Elijah was born on May 15, 2020 – just two days before Phil passed. The family would like to give thanks to everyone who shared a part of his life and invite you to enjoy this tribute to a truly amaz- ing man, ShawnPoulen.com/Phil.