James Edward “Jimmy” Brass 04/26/1924~ 06/16/2012
ENCINITAS — James “Jimmy” Brass, 88, passed away on June 16, 2012 at the Encinitas Hospital with Hospice.Jim was a carpenter with his father in Encinitas where he grew up and graduated in 1941 from San Dieguito High School. He served in WWII from 1942 to 1946.
In 1948, Jim married Betty Hunt, his very best friend’s little sister. He was a wonderful husband and father to three sons, Frederick, Roger (Karen), Charles; granddaughter, Chelsea; and sister, Liz (Ric) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Charles F. “Fred” Brass.
The scattering of ashes will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, August 24, in Pt. Loma. Family and friends are welcome. Special thanks to Scripts Encinitas Hospital and Elizabeth Hospice. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com
Service planned for lifelong Solana Beach resident Pearl Kinzel
By Kathy DayCatherine Pearl Kinzel, who was a year old when her family moved to Solana Beach in 1924, was 88 when she died Jan. 19, 2012 – two weeks after her sister, Miltreta Hagenburger, who lived in Encinitas.
Catherine, who was described by her daughter Laura K. Brunnell of Manhattan Beach as a “very quiet, stately lady,” was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Leroy. He died in 2001. The pair met while attending beauty/barber college in San Diego and for years ran a barbershop in Encinitas.
“They worked and worked until they had enough money to buy a lot at 504 Pacific Ave. (in Solana Beach) and build their dream home,” Brunnell said. But because her mother loved the ocean, they sold that home 15 years ago and purchased another home on the bluff side at 325 Pacific Ave.
Even into her later years, Catherine tended to the hair and beauty needs of many of her neighbors, her daughter said.Until two years ago ago, Catherine walked three miles a day, slowing down to just a mile a year ago. She also swam regularly at the Sand Pebbles Resort “where everyone knew her,” she added.
She also “stayed connected with the Solana Beach gang,” often dining with them at Tony’s Jacal, and was involved with the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church and the chamber of commerce.
A graduate of San Dieguito High School, she was named the most beautiful girl in her class. Someone from Life magazine spotted a photo of her, Brunnell recalled. “They came and took photos of her and put her on the cover.”People often said she looked like Jackie Kennedy Onassis, she added.
In addition to daughter Laura, Catherine was survived by daughter Macy Kinzel, and five grandchildren. Catherine was preceded in death by her son George.
A memorial gathering is planned for 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Kinzel home, 325 Pacific Ave., Solana Beach.
Service planned for lifelong Solana Beach resident Pearl Kinzel, by Kathy Day. 20 January 2012, Del Mar Times. Please see also the obituary published 24 January 2012
26 May 2018
Submitted by Pamela Hammond Walker (’55)
Robert (Bob) McKenna, 86
Robert (Bob) McKenna died on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Bob was born April 27, 1923 in La Puente, Calif. He was the 3rd of six children born to Robert and Dorothy McKenna of Solana Beach, Calif. He graduated from San Dieguito High School in 1942* where he was a star player on the football team. He was always a fun loving guy who loved to party, loved to dance, and most of all, loved to work.
Giving up a football scholarship to the University of Washington, he enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. He served in Europe as a flight engineer on C47’s during the D-Day invasion and later on aircraft carrying supplies into Europe. After returning from the war, he went to work for his father in his concrete construction business, R.F. McKenna Construction, which he later bought and very successfully ran.
In 1948, he married Mardelle Oberlander, who was the love of his life and who also helped him with the business. Mardelle preceded him in death. Bob and Mardelle retired to and spent many years in Oatman, Arizona, where Bob dabbled in construction and mining, and was always willing to lend a hand to help his neighbors or the occasional tourist out of gas.
Bob is survived by his sister, Joyce Reimer of South Ampton, New Jersey; and a brother, Fred McKenna of San Mateo, Calif. Also, Betty McKenna, a very caring sister-in-law; and several nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Bob very much. He was buried beside Mardelle in Bullhead City, Arizona.
*Note: San Dieguito records show that Mr. McKenna graduated in the class of 1941.
26 January 2001
27 Sep 1922 – 23 Aug 1993
25 April 1991
10 September 1922 — 14 May 2011
Les Swaim, 88 OCEANSIDE —
Les Swaim passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2011.
Les was born on September 10, 1922. Les grew up in Encinitas and graduated from San Dieguito High School in 1941, and joined the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII.
He married Edith Ronsse in 1943, and they raised their three children in Oceanside. Les began teaching at Carlsbad High School in 1958 and was a long time baseball and football coach. After he retired, Les continued coaching golf at Carlsbad High School for many years. In addition to high school teacher and coach, some may remember Les as a Little League Baseball coach, driver’s education instructor, school bus driver, softball player, bowler and golfer. He was also a member of the Oceanside Elks Lodge for thirty-two years.
Les’ greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Edith; his children, Barbara (Paul) Gilbert, John (Jill) Swaim, and Mary-Lynn (Mark) Gibbon; his grandchildren, Lissa, Peter, Shawna, Danny, Nick, and Will; his great-grandchildren, Keanu, Alexis, Daniel, Kalani, Julia, Noah, Caelen, Daisy and Lana; his twin brother, Leo Swaim; and many nieces and nephews. Les was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, mentor and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
There will be a public memorial/celebration of his life at Heritage Park in Oceanside on Saturday, May 28 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Les can be remembered through a memorial gift to the Coach Les Swaim Memorial Athletic Scholarship fund, c/o Barbara Oleksy, Carlsbad High School, 3557 Lancer Way, Carlsbad, Calif. 92008.