For the good and enlightenment of retirees
The Ventura County Community College District Retirees Association (VCCCDRA) announces their 2023 General Membership Meeting for May 10, 2023 at 1 pm PDT, via ZOOM.
Below are the following documents needed for the meeting:
With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the recent passing of Edith Stone on April 4, 2023. Edith was a retiree from the VCCCD District Office, where she was the receptionist/switchboard operator. Edit was 95 at the time of her passing.
No services are planned and no obituary was published.
It is with sadness that the VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Paul Acker, retired psychology professor from Ventura College.
Paul graduated from Occidental College with a degree in Music. He then earned a Masters Degree in Psychology at Los Angeles State College, which became California State University at Los Angeles. There he also attained a teaching credential which allowed for his work at community colleges, this during a time that community college professors needed credentials to teach. Paul later earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree, with emphasis on family counseling, at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Paul’s celebration of life was held in March, in Ferndale, WA.
Please use this link to read Paul’s complete obituary.
The VCCCDRA membership should be receiving the Spring 2023 Monitor in the US mail.
Here a link to the digital version.
With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the recent passing of Victor Fernando Fontaine, retired philosophy professor from Moorpark College. He passed away on March 8, 2023. Victor was born in Santiago, Chile. He attended the University in Fribourg, Switzerland, earning a master’s degree and PhD before coming to the United States. At UCLA, he earned a master’s in philosophy and an MBA. Victor served on the board of Habitat for Humanity and for three years was a Planning Commissioner for the city of Oxnard. In 1991 he became a college professor at Moorpark College, where he taught for 24 years.
Mortuary visitation will be Saturday, April 8th from 11:30am to 12:30pm directly followed by a Funeral service at Reardon Simi Valley Funeral Home, 2636 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley 93065.
To read Victor’s complete obituary, please use this link.
With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Dr. Al Fernandez on February 14, 2023. Dr. Fernandez was chancellor of the VCCCD in the 1980s, before he went on to be chancellor of the Coast Community College District.
Viewing is March 16 from 4-8pm, with vigil service at 7pm, at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks at 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91362. The funeral mass is Friday, March 17 10:00am at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 32032 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA. Flowers may be sent to Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks, address above.
Dr. Fernandez daughter, Christina, invites all to a luncheon at Boccaccio’s Yacht Club, across the street from St Jude’s Church.
Please use this link to read Dr. Fernandez obituary, printed in the Ventura County Star.
ALERT FOR VCCCDRA MEMBERS:
VCCCDRA has learned of imposter emails that appear to come from VCCCDRA board members preying on the kindness of the recipient by asking a simple question, “Can you do me a favor.” The 2 minute video, linked below, discusses this recent spike and how you can avoid being a victim. Please use the link below from AARP:
VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Coach Jim Bittner on February 7, 2023. Coach Bittner was the head football coach at Moorpark College for 32 years. Prior to coaching at MC, Coach Bittner was coach at Oxnard High School.
A service of remembrance will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, March 7th at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 13955 Peach Hill Road, Moorpark. A reception will immediately follow at the hall at Holy Cross. Those who wish to remember Coach in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Moorpark College Foundation, James L. Bittner Memorial Scholarship, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, CA 93021 or by using this link: https://moorparkcollegefoundation-bloom.kindful.com/
Please use this link to read Coach Jim Bittner’s obituary.
VCCCDRA has recently learned of the passing of Don Cook, retired economics professor at Ventura College. Don passed on December 6, 2022. Sadly, Don’s wife, Caroline also passed away the day after Don.
After graduating from Park College in Parkville, MO, Don joined the US Navy and was stationed at Point Mugu. After his enlistment was over, he returned to Kansas and earned a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Kansas. Don then returned to California where he accepted a teaching position at Ventura College where he taught for almost 40 years.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on January 24th at Carpinteria Cemetery.
To read Don’s complete obituary, please use this link.
VCCCDRA has learned of the passing on November 30th, 2022 of Glenn Hisayasu, retired Dean of Student Services at Ventura College. As a young boy, Glenn and his family were incarcerated during World War II with other Japanese Americans. After WWII, he and his family returned to San Fernando Valley were he graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley in 1966. A few years later Glenn served his country in the Vietnam War. After the war, Glenn attended Cal State LA to pursue a degree in educational psychology. He later earned a Doctorate in Education. Glenn accepted the position of Dean of Student Services at Ventura College in 1997 and remained until retirement in 2008.
A Celebration of Glenn’s Life will be held at Grace Church in Ventura on Saturday, January 14th at 2 pm (65 MacMillan Ave, Ventura, CA, 93001). The family requests in lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to The City Center Transitional Living Center (https://thecitycenter.org/monetary-giving/), selecting Glenn’s name in tribute.
Please use this link to read Glenn’s full obituary.