Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Sally Erny, and an older brother, Ronald. Bill is survived by several siblings—Michael, Jerry, Dorothea, Roy, Thomas, and Sally—and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bill attended Encinal High School in Alameda and eventually went to work at the Ballena Bay yacht harbor, where he also loved to fish.

In 2002, Bill relocated to Rathdrum, Idaho with his brother Thomas and sister-in-law Robin. Bill enjoyed rural life in Idaho, where he lived until his passing.

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Sally grew up in Iowa, and after finishing college and dabbling in teaching in the U.S. and Guatemala, she moved to Berkeley, where she earned a PhD in Zoology from the University of California. She studied genetics in the 1960s, at a time when women in science were much less common than they are today.

She met her future husband, Bill Faulhaber, on the Dipsea trail in Marin County. The two shared a passion for the outdoors as well as an intellectual curiosity and love for science. They moved to Alameda, where they raised two daughters while continuing to hike, ski, and camp in the Sierras whenever they could find the time. Even as a stay-at-home mom, Sally was active in the League of Women Voters and various local organizations, and pursued creative endeavors such as pottery and music. Once her daughters were grown, she returned to science and worked briefly in the private sector before settling into a role in a university research lab.

In retirement, she traveled internationally, including to destinations in South and Central America and Central Asia. At home, she continued to pursue her interest in pottery, creating designs that adorned her home and that she gave away as gifts. Through volunteer work and donations, she continued to stand up for her beliefs, and to lend a hand where she was able.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and is survived by her daughters, Susannah and Annelise.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the League of Women Voters or the American Civil Liberties Union.

A celebration of Sally’s life will be held early in 2026.

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Patricia, fondly known as “Miss Pat,”  was born to the late Francis and Hazel Hayes on September 4, 1933. Miss Pat was born, raised, and lived most of her life in Alameda. Miss Pat graduated from Alameda High School in 1951 and received her dental assistant certification from Laney College. She worked for Dr. Robert French, DDS, in her twenties as a dental assistant. In 1961, Miss Pat married Trevor “Mr. Trev” Millosovich, and they started a family. They had a total of seven children. Initially, Miss Pat and Mr. Trev lived in the Oakland hills before returning to Alameda in 1965, where they resided in the infamous “2129.”

Miss Pat was happiest when she had a full house, was in her garden, or baking her delicious Sunday pies. No matter how crowded it was around her table, she always made sure there was room for one more. For her, more was always merrier.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Hazel Hayes of Alameda; her brother, John Tonningsen of Reno; and her husband Trevor Millosovich of Alameda. She is survived by her daughter Mary Millosovich and son-in-law James Heffernan of Alameda; her son Joseph Millosovich and daughter-in-law Corinna Zanetti of Alameda; her son Stephen Millosovich and daughter-in-law Wendy Lindstrom of Sonoma; her son John Millosovich of Alameda; her daughter Katherine Ruggiero, son-in-law Michael Ruggiero, and her grandchildren Ivy Parr of Fallston, MD, and Jackson and Henry Ruggiero of Alameda; her son Nicholas Millosovich and daughter-in-law Julie Vales of Alameda; and her son Michael of Alameda.

A celebration of Miss Pat’s life will be held in early 2026. Miss Pat and Mr. Trev are once again enjoying their after-dinner walks.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in her name to the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB).

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Gretchen was born into a very dynamic family. Her parents were both artistic, with her father working in San Francisco under the Works Progress Administration, painting murals throughout the City, including Coit Tower and The Beach Chalet. He also worked with Diego Rivera painting a mural at the San Francisco Stock Exchange, and attended the second wedding of Diego and Frida Kahlo with her parents. Her mother studied art and fashion design in Paris. Both parents were politically active, engaging her family in rousing discussions at the dinner table, pulling Gretchen into the world of politics and activism.

When the war broke out, Gretchen’s father signed up as a Merchant Marine. Gretchen tearfully said goodbye to Japanese friends who were forced to go to internment camps, while her own family moved from San Francisco to Marin County to distance themselves from possible bomb threats in the city. When the war ended, Impie moved the family back to North Beach, and Gretchen’s dad was estranged, suffering from PTSD like many other fathers of friends post-war. With an artistic single mother, Gretchen grew up attending musicals, theaters, visiting artist studios and museums with her mother.

Gretchen attended the University of California, Berkeley and worked in its public library, processing children’s books. There, immersed in Berkeley’s politically active environment, she became involved in the Free Speech Movement as part of the greater Civil Rights Movement – at the epicenter of an era of student activism.

While at Cal Berkeley, Gretchen’s friend asked her to join her for an interview to be a flight attendant at Pan American Airlines. Though unprepared, she was hired and flew with Pan Am for two years, developing a love for travel. She returned to finish her education and again began fighting for the rights of students to organize. She became the treasurer for the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley. She married her college sweetheart, Thomas Miller, at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, and moved to New York City to accompany him in a graduate program at NYU. The marriage lasted two years.

Gretchen stayed in New York and started her educational career as a teacher in New York City where she met her second husband, Jeffrey Mackler, also a teacher. Their oldest daughter was born in New York, and quickly Gretchen knew she did not want to raise her children on the East Coast and moved back to the Bay Area where her two sons, Philip and Aaron, were born. Gretchen took a teaching job in Alameda, teaching English as a Second Language. She was very involved with Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers in the movement for better working conditions for farm workers. In support of the farm workers, and to instill ethics and values in their three young children, Gretchen and Jeffrey refused to buy grapes, despite pleading from the kids.

In the 1980s Gretchen was active in the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). Through CLUW, she became an active member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), as she passionately supported abortion rights. Gretchen would get up at the crack of dawn to help women get through protest barriers at abortion clinics, supporting a woman’s right to choose, and was instrumental in opposing NOW’s leadership decision to move away from abortion rights as a priority.

Gretchen’s life was dedicated to teaching, to her family, and to social justice. One of her passions has been teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), so that non-English speakers could have the opportunity to learn and not be left behind. As an advocate for bilingual education, she taught in this field for 25 years. She finished her teaching tenure at Island High School, an alternative high school for students needing flexible schedules or extra credit support.

Gretchen was very engaged with the Alameda teachers unions. Once collective bargaining came to California in 1976, teachers could vote and negotiate holidays, school schedules, class size, and unions in contracts. Gretchen appreciated this, as it encouraged teachers to lean in on important issues, bigger than the normal day-to-day classroom curriculum. Teachers had the opportunity to be active participants in their community, and this thrilled Gretchen. The change prompted her to travel the world to attend national and international conventions with other delegates when working with the school unions. She served for many years as the President of the Alameda Teachers Association and later as President of the Retired Teachers Union.

In 1999, Gretchen married longtime friend, political science professor and activist Dr. Arthur Lipow. Gretchen and Arthur co-founded the Alameda Public Affairs Forum in 2004 and the Center for Global Peace and Democracy in 2007. Gretchen was also on the board of the Alameda Citizens Task Force (ACT), striving for responsible development and opposing developers who were not considering the needs of the greater community when looking to add thousands of housing units to an island with limited points of access. She often spoke at Alameda City Hall meetings or was out in the community petitioning for signatures.

Gretchen was a born organizer and used her work ethic and passion to drive herself and engage others in the community. She lived by the mantra of “ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” and often quoted her grandfather’s motto of taking action: “It doesn’t matter where you come from, it’s what you do today.”

Gretchen is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Lipow, and her sister, Jan Karen Gilliam Thomson. She is survived by her brother Mark Kittredge, daughter Jennifer Roloff (Todd), son Philip Mackler, son Aaron Mackler (Stephanie), and granddaughters Peyton Roloff, Taylor Roloff, Hazel Mackler, and Cora Mackler, stepchildren Stephanie Lipow (Tony Walecka), Jenny Lipow, Nicholas Lipow, and step-granddaughters Sydney Lipow and Toby Walecka, and the beloved family dog, “Little Man,” who visited her often.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 11. If you are interested in attending, please email her daughter, Jennifer Roloff (jenniferroloff@yahoo.com). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alameda Citizen’s Task Force.

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She was a beloved friend of many. She touched our lives with her humor, her wisdom, and her intellect. Many of her observations inspired major decisions in our lives.

She loved horseback riding, playing with her dogs Maddie and Ollie, and seeing friends for good food and even better conversation.

Her family predeceased her: Her mother Clara, father Raymond, sister Christine, and brother Randy. She will be interred privately with her family in Astoria, Oregon.

She will be greatly missed.

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He is survived by his wife, Frances K. Dahlin of Arlington, Tennessee; his brother, Richard McDonald of Portland, Oregon; and several beloved stepchildren and their children. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Sandy Dort; his father, Bill McDonald; his stepmother, Larene Claunch; and his brother, Edwin McDonald.

Michael grew up along the California coast, where he developed a lifelong love of water sports. As a child he was drawn to art, spending hours with books on painting and drawing. His father taught him metal smithing and automotive restoration, but Michael’s deepest passion was always painting. His father arranged for a five-year apprenticeship with an Austrian portrait painter, Sasha Lautman. Upon completion, he was drafted and served six years at the Alameda Naval Station.

Michael earned two degrees at UC Berkeley, one in Architectural Restoration and the other a Bachelor of Fine Arts. After the Navy, his career remained in art and restoration projects all over the world.

Editor’s note: In 2007, Michael McDonald restored the historic Golden Bridge Beverage mural on the Taylor Avenue side of 1431 Webster Street in Alameda. 

The post William Michael McDonald, 1951-2025 appeared first on Alameda Post.

She was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on July 27, 1941 to Edith Anderson and Erick Anderson, a World War II vet and survivor of the USS Indianapolis. She is predeceased by both her parents and one sibling, Richard Anderson. She grew up in Vallejo, California, and graduated youngest in her class (16) from Vallejo High in 1958. She continued her studies at Sacramento State University before landing in Alameda to settle and raise her family. She married John Ambrosini, and had two sons, Mark and Joseph Ambrosini.

As a single mom in the 1970s, she started her corporate work career in San Francisco as a key punch operator and then as a self-taught computer programmer working long days and nights. Virginia embarked on a career in technology, ultimately working for American President Lines (APL) as a senior systems engineer, where she met and remarried the love of her life, Don Scellato. She continued on to work for Pacific Bell before starting her encore career in real estate. She was well known to many in Alameda as a hardworking and successful realtor, but was affectionately known to most as “Grammy.” Nothing brought Virginia more joy than spending time with her five granddaughters—Veronica, Vanessa, Anjelica, Jocelyn and Julia. After raising two active boys, having granddaughters became the biggest gift in her life. She loved being a grandma and played a big role in all of their lives.

Grammy loved to play piano and gave the gift of lessons to all of her granddaughters. She and Don were also huge fans of anything Disney and they would often take their “princess” granddaughters to Disneyland. It was a constant theme in all their young lives with Grammy, and part of their fondest childhood memories. She was a dog mom to a succession of four golden retrievers and had a soft heart for all animals and children. She was kind, generous, thoughtful and considerate and always offered a helping hand to those in need. She will be remembered for her playful spirit, warm smile, kind eyes, elegance and grace.

She is survived by her son Mark (Belinda) Ambrosini and Joseph (Gavan) Ambrosini; grandchildren Veronica (Patrick Blonigan) Ambrosini, Vanessa (Zachary Walker) Ambrosini, Anjelica Ambrosini, Jocelyn Ambrosini, Julia Ambrosini; great-grandchild James Ambrosini Blonigan; and many other family members including in-laws, nephews, nieces, and their children.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Greer Family Mortuary, 2694 Blanding Avenue, in Alameda.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation (in memory of her mother Edith) or to the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department.

Virginia’s legacy of kindness, love and generosity will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in eternal peace.

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Monte grew up in Oakland and graduated high school from St. Joseph Notre Dame in Alameda. Monte perfected his shorthand skills at Heald College, which assisted him when drafted into the U.S. Army. Monte served at the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.

Monte had a fulfilling career as a Manager of Sales at BNSF Railway, where he retired after 45 years.

Earlier this year, the Pacific Transportation Association honored Monte with a Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years of dedicated service, wise leadership, and generosity, leaving a legacy the organization deeply values.

Prior to moving to Alameda, Monte lived an outgoing, exuberant life in San Francisco. He would regale friends and family with stories about his time living in the City.

In retirement, Monte remained active with organizing estate sales, which was perfectly in line with his passion for collecting antiques. Monte was multi-talented with his skills in baking, knitting, crocheting, and artistic endeavors. For years, Monte decorated their house for every holiday, and it became a tradition for Alameda families to stop by at Halloween and Christmas to see the impressive displays.

Monte also spent his days at local establishments around Alameda where everybody knew him and looked forward to his visits. It would be impossible to get a coffee with Monte without friends or business proprietors stopping to say hello and get a hug. This is because Monte was the most generous and loving soul to anyone who was lucky enough to be in his presence.

Monte will be remembered for his positivity, humor, and devotion to family and friends.

Monte is survived by, and will be profoundly missed by, his husband Peter Romualdez; his brother Harold Boscovich, Jr., and wife Janet McCardle; his nephews and nieces, including Harold Boscovich, III, Hallie Von Rock, and their son Aidan; Suzanne West and husband Scott West, and their children Elora and Sabrina; and his cousin Charlie Edell and wife Maria Edell.

The family will have a private service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Monte’s memory may be made to your favorite charity.

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Charles was born on September 3, 1932, to Rose and Charles Bernard Wood of Santa Maria, California. The family later moved to Oakland, California, where as a young teenager and an industrious earner, Charles set up a shoe shine station in downtown Oakland, so he could shine the shoes of military personnel in exchange for pocket money. Shortly after that, while in high school, he worked for the Oakland Tribune, where he was placed in charge of managing a group of boys responsible for delivering the daily newspapers.

He attended and graduated from Oakland Technical High School, where he met a lovely girl, a year younger than he, with a beautiful smile and winning ways. Her name was Dolores and they fell in love.

After graduating from high school, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps to fight in the Korean War. Charles and Dolores wrote to each other faithfully during his enlistment period and when he returned to Oakland after his service ended, Charles and Dolores were married and brought five children into the world. In the early days of their marriage, Charles worked as a milkman for Berkeley Farms Dairy and PG&E, until he found his life’s calling as a police officer for the City of Alameda.

Charles rose through the ranks of the Alameda Police Department, becoming a sergeant and later a lieutenant, when in the mid-1970s, he was assigned as the Project Manager for the building of a new police station for the city. To this day, there is a plaque on the building paying tribute to his contributions.

After 25 years of service to the Alameda Police Department and raising their five children, Charles retired at age 50, at which time he and Dolores moved to Red Bluff, California, where they bought a house and a small walnut orchard. They lived happily there, surrounded by nature, for 14 years.

After leaving Red Bluff, the couple moved to Vacaville so they could be closer to family and healthcare. They thoroughly enjoyed living together in Vacaville until his dear wife Dolores passed away a few years later. After Dolores’ passing, Charles met a woman named Virginia (Ginny), through mutual friends. They courted for some months and married. They were married for 20 years and enjoyed taking cruises and RV trips together.

Charles fiercely loved his family and is remembered for his quick wit and love of nature, particularly the wild birds who visited his garden, as he always ensured they had plenty to eat and a fountain to bathe in. He will be dearly missed.

Charles was predeceased by his lovely youngest daughter, Robin Kempel, and is survived by his daughter Shelley Stelzner, son Gregory Wood, daughter Charlene Reavis, daughter Debra Thomas, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Charles will be held at Vaca Hills Chapel, 524 Elmira Road, Vacaville, California on July 1, at noon.

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Born on April 1, 1943, in Alameda, Mickey made his home and life in both Alameda and Livermore, where he built lasting friendships and cherished memories with his family. He spent his career as a proud Teamster with Local 70 in Oakland, where his hard work, reliability, and strong spirit earned him the respect of many.

Mickey had a deep love for life and a wide range of interests that brought joy not only to him, but to those around him. An avid outdoorsman and lifelong enthusiast of aviculture, hunting, fishing, and shooting sports, he also found peace and creativity in bonsai and horticulture. He loved restoring cars and riding dirt bikes—always happiest when his hands were busy and his heart was full.

Mickey was also a dedicated volunteer, especially proud of his time supporting Shoot for a Cure, where his passion met a greater purpose.

Above all, Mickey’s heart belonged to his family. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Susie and Michael Kaczmarczyk, Michael S. and Jennifer Profumo, and Stephen J. Louis and Michelle Profumo; and his eight grandchildren, Kacey, Austin, Bailey, Emma, Hunter, Roxy, Nolan, and Avery, each of whom he made feel like they were his favorite.

He is preceded in death by loved ones who now welcome him home in peace.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 29, 2025,12:30-3 p.m., at the Livermore Rod & Gun Club, 4000 Dagnino Road, Livermore, where friends and family will gather to share stories, laughter, and remembrance of a life well lived.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
— Psalms 121:1-2

Mickey will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever loved.

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