September 2017 Pajaro Valley Historical Association Page 1 History

September 2017

Lives Here

by Claudia Mize The Annual Vintage Picnic was an extraordinary suc-cess with more than 145 people attending. The theme was ”The Impact of WWII on the Local Community.” We were honored with two great speakers: Wallace Roberts told about his service as a B-24 pilot in Europe; and Marvin Del Chiaro remembered the impact of the war on our coast. The Bockius-Orr House and Borina Archive, Alzora Snyder & Jane Borg Research Center displayed pictures, uniforms, dresses and artifacts from the WWII era. The Young Historian Awards were given out. First place of $500 went to Chloe Deleissegues who attends St. Francis Catholic School. She wrote about “Women Pioneers of the Pajaro Valley.” Second place of $250 went to Jailene Lazaro who attends Cabrillo College and wrote “History of S. Martinelli & Co”. Three other participants were Germain Medina (Cabrillo College), Stephanie Chavez (Watsonville High), and Chantal Nieto (Ceiba College Prep).Monterey Bay Caterers served a delicious lunch. We had a drawing for many great raffle prizes. A big “Thank you!” to all who participated.

Annual Vintage Picnic Focuses on World War II

and Draws Big Crowd

Michael Deller, Wally Roberts and Don Cooley at the Annual Vintage Picnic.

By Michael Deller From an early age, I was aware that my paternal grandfather, Stanley Collins Deller, was a foot soldier during World War II. I only met him on a few occasions when I was about 13 years old. So, for the most part, “Grandpa Stan” was more of a legend than a real person, but that only added mystique to the collection of artifacts and war memorabilia that my dad had packed away in the attic.

As a boy, I was fascinated with these artifacts, which included helmets, books, photos, pins, medals, two antique rifles, and a pair of stolen Nazi tank-mounted binoculars. As I grew and became more interested in history, these artifacts began to take on more meaning. It wasn’t until recently that I took the time to organize all this material. While going through the artifacts,

Grandfather’s WWII Artifacts Lead to a Personal Discovery

PFC Stanley Deller See UNIFORM on next page

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I came across several familiar old photos of my granddad in his uniform, circa 1945. These black & white photos depicted him wearing the “Eisenhower” style jacket adorned with citation ribbons and pins. I asked my dad if there was any chance this uniform still existed, and if it was in our family’s possession. He didn’t know for sure, but would ask his brothers if they knew anything about grandpa Stan’s uniform from the pictures. A few months passed, and in the summer of 2016, to our aston-ishment, one of my uncles told my dad that he found the uniform hanging in a garment bag deep in his garage. He gladly turned it over to me. When my dad brought the uniform home, it was an exciting and eerie moment when I zipped open the plastic garment bag to reveal the very uniform my granddad was wearing in the photos that I had studied so carefully. For a more-than 75 year-old uniform, it was in near perfect condition, save a moth hole or two. Seeing as the jacket appeared to be close to my size, I had to try it on. To the amazement of me and my parents, the jacket fit like it was tailored for me. This discovery inspired me to do some Internet research and track down vintage or reproductions of the missing components of the uniform. After purchasing a vintage wool shirt, khaki service tie, belt, and garrison cap, the uniform was complete. Now I had a complete and nearly all-vintage uniform of my grandfather’s that fit me like a glove. As a history teacher and vintage enthusiast, I figured this uniform might come into play for some function , but I just didn’t know what. It wasn’t until the beginning of June of 2017 that I started to volunteer for the Pajaro Valley Historical Association, and immediately upon joining I was informed about the annual Vintage Picnic coming up, and that it would have an emphasis on World War II. I asked several of the ladies working at the House whether it would be appropriate for me to wear my grandfather’s uniform to the picnic. They all agreed that it was not only appropriate, but would be greatly appreciated. So, on the day of the picnic I donned the layers of olive drab wool that made up his uniform and became a walking, talking part of the exhibit. I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate my grandfather’s service to our country, and to remember the sacrifices that were made by countless American men and women during the war.

Much like many members of his generation that served, my grandfather Stanley did not think of himself as a war hero. He simply felt that he had a job to do, and that he didn’t want to let his buddies down. As I grew older, I began to understand more deeply the ways in which the war affected my grandfather and the life-long manifestations of what we now know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. Learning about my grandfather’s service has given me a great appreciation for the sacrifices made by the men and women of our military throughout the ages, and an empathy for those who suffer physically and mentally from their experience in the service.

A Brief Summary of Stanley C. Deller’s tour of duty during World War II

UNIFORM From Page 1

PFC Stanley Collins Deller, a native of Pontiac, Michigan, enlisted into the 45th Infantry Division of the US Army in 1942. He was 22 and on the verge of aging-out of the eligible age to enlist. After his training, Deller’s unit shipped out to North Africa in 1943, where he saw action against German and Italian forces in the deserts of Tunisia. After the African campaign, Deller’s unit began a lengthy campaign to liberate Sicily and Italy from Axis control. Deller was involved in the contentious battles of Anzio and Monte Cassino, as well as the liberation of Rome in the summer of 1944. After liberating the Italic peninsula, Deller’s unit was sent to join efforts to open a southern front against the enemy in the Rhone Valley of southern France. However, by the late fall of 1944, he and much of his unit were sent

to the Ardennes forest to help hold the line in the Battle of the Bulge. In early 1945, after surviving this brutal winter confrontation, Deller’s unit crossed the Sigfried Line into Germany. There they encountered the horrors of the Nazi regime firsthand when Deller’s 45th Infantry were involved in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp near Munich, Germany. When the Nazis surrendered, Deller was in an infirmary recovering from a lingering case of pneumonia. At that point he was honorably discharged and sent home. Among his citations, PFC Stanley C. Deller received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the French Croix de Guerre. Stanley C. Deller passed away in Arizona in 1999 at the age of 79.

PFC Stanley DellerMichael Deller

September 2017 Pajaro Valley Historical Association Page 3

Remembering the Legendary Coach Emmett Geiser of WHSCoach and Athletic Director from 1930-66

By Claudia Mize With the start of the school year, we wanted to remember Coach Emmett Geiser, who built Watsonville High into a football powerhouse in the 1930s that lasted for decades. In 1961, the Watsonville High field was named “Geiser Field” in his honor. He died in 1968 at age 63, just two years after he retired. He was a personable coach and a favorite figure at Watsonville High. Geiser arrived at Watsonville High School in the fall of 1930, and began one of the most successful high school coach-ing careers in all prep school history. His 21 football teams compiled a record 130 wins, 39 losses and 6 ties. The football team also captured 10 league championships, including seven in a row from 1949-55. He coached basketball for 16 years and the teams won 14 league crowns while winning 201 of 301 games. His baseball teams won seven titles. Coach Geiser, also known as the “Old Fox.,” was never without his lucky charm — a battered hat which he found on the SF-Oakland ferry when he started coaching. When he retired, the students had the hat bronzed. It once was in the trophy room at the high school but now resides at PVHA.

Watsonville High’s legendary coach Emmett Geiser, for whom the football field is named after. Geiser’s record as a football coach was an astounding 130-39-6.

World War II Era Clothing on Display

By Claudia Mize This velvet suit and U.S. Army Air Force uniform are part of the house clothing display featuring World War II uniforms, and dresses, hats and artifacts from the 1940s. The rust colored suit by “Helen of California” was donated by Kathi Alasti. The uniform was worn by Eric Barnes who served in World War II. You can see this display at PVHA through Nov. 11 – Veterans Day

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Items of NoteAs of Sept. 5, 2017

Memorials:Pat Solano

Stan and Judy NielsenJim and Shirley SpainRita PopeLou arbanas

Jon SagenMelody Sharp

Janet MeidlKathleen MooreStan and Judy NielsenEdward and Jean Kelly

Jane GarbiniKathleen Moore

Nina MatulichMarilyn HydeBill and Karen BachanHank and Cathy Schimpeler

Allison RiderRita PopePat LesterStan and Judy Nielsen

MaryAnn ClarkPat LesterStan and Judy NielsenDavid and Claire Baum

Greg ClarkDavid and Claire Baum

David MartinDavid and Claire Baum

Mickey CrumptonDavid and Claire Baum

John IvanovichDavid and Claire Baum

Richie BaumDavid and Claire Baum

Toni Beller BowieRita Pope

Kenny Sears Hank and Cathy Schimpeler

Lorraine BealHank and Cathy Schimpeler

James WashingtonAllen and Betty Bjur

Betty Sue Henry BjurAllen and Betty Bjur

Bill BachanHank and Cathy SchimpelerGreg and Suke PavlovichStan and Judy NielsenKen and Anne DoblerHubert and Patricia Hudson Doug and Diane SeverinGene and Christine McGrathMatt Eguchi Frederick and Gail HaasNancy Ann PowellMark and Laurie ScurichJohn and Antoinette LukrichRosie TakamuneMarilyn HydeNita GizdichDominic and Martha MuzziGenevieve GarciaMary Ann GurovichCarl and Fran DoblerScurich Berry Farms (Scurich Family)Jere Ann HallSteve and Kerry StringariPeter and Barbara Miljanich

J.C. & Jo AndersonStan and Judy NielsenKen and Anne DoblerJon NelsonMimi CrumptonJoanne HashitaniMona PasseyDominic and Martha MuzziSusan, Janice and Norman HiranoLou ArbanasLucille MeckLorraine WashingtonMartin ColendichCarl and Fran Dobler

Jim RectorStan and Judy NielsenKen and Anne DoblerBrandon and Trisha KettGreg and Suke PavlovichJoanne MahoneyKathleen MoodyDiane Porter CooleyMarilyn Hyde

Glen WitmerStan and Judy Nielsen

In Honor of:Shirley McGrath

Gene and Christine McGrath

Donations:General Use Donations:

Craig and Harriet MillerJanece Carter StriegL. Jean HornerTod and Peggy LindseyTamara ShepherdDonald Jackson

GardenBill Linneman Construction Co.

Borina ArchiveBetsy Ehm Lobay

MembershipNew Members

Tina BaineStephanie M. BulichCasey ClarkFran SchwammNancy Lee-Perez

Renewed in AprilBill & Wilma GeorgeCraig & Harriet MillerRobert & Jean BoeddikerHans ClausDoris OakesKathleen G. ReynoldsNita GizdichDonald and Diana HenrichsenJohn and Mary Walker

Renewed in MayKathleen MoorePatricia J. LockettJohn and Carol TietzColleen BrunettiMabel ColeLynn SullivanEdward and Jean KellyRon and Gingi KinningerJoAnn VearBonnie BamburgNancy BuoyJeanette CrosettiBetsy Ehm LobayDr. Seymour & Frances BirnbaumTerry Locke-PaddenJere Ann HallLeon and JoAnn MattingleyJanece Carter StreigSteve & Alice BankheadPatrick & Pauahi SheehySusan Pelis

Renewed in JuneDr. Janet BellHelen HarnessGary & Patricia ThwingRoger & Wendy AikinGayle IvanovichJoan LaneWillam and Cloy CodigaL. Jean HornerLaura Ruth HofmeisterJohn & Megan MartinelliLorraine J. JurachRoseann Mary KalichDan & Ann McGrathDavid & Frances DelfinoGreg & Suke PavlovichWendy Aikin

Renewed in JulyFrances HeickSamuel and Terese Wright Jr.Erik and Kimberly ClausPriscilla Partridge & David KikuchiDominic & Martha MuzziDr. Nancy BilicichAnne Wycoff CarlosJoseph ParkerLee and Mary VaageStan and Judy NielsenDr. David & Mary SouthMaria Goretti CarvalhoDon & Dolores FrenchDominic & Marth MuzziLupe & Jesus FloresBill BeecherDan Carrillo Genevieve SimmunovichKen & Anne DoblerDavid & Maryann Bulich SchnitterSteve & Kerry StringariRita PopeDonaldine Ann & Dana McRaeAllen & Betty Bjur

Renewed in AugustBob DickieAlex SolanoJohn and Judy EiskampStephen & Alice BankheadMargaret BloomBarbara CorriganLes and Joyce Roth.Bill & Glendawyn DoyleJoe & Natalie CostaLou ArbanasPhil YbarraJames ScurichPatricia Haden DionMarvin and Eileen ByersJohn and Frances Kovarik

September 2017 Pajaro Valley Historical Association Page 5

We currently have 30 volunteers who are all doing an outstanding job here at PVHA in the Archive, Costumes, Garden, House and Oral History Committee. A special thank you to everyone for all of your tireless hard work, your willingness to help preserve the history of the Pajaro Valley. Except for one paid staff Jodi Frensley in the office PVHA is indebted to it’s volunteers. We continue to have openings for Docents, Oral History Committee, Garden, House displays, and digital archiving and preservation. We train, and if you are interested we encourage you to join us by phoning (831) 722-0305.

Volunteers:Lisa Eiskamp Clarice WigginsRosa Guerrero Spomenka ZaninovichLou Arbanas Charles ZaninovichBill Beecher Susan JacobsMarvin Byers Gerry MartinSharon Bystran Cathy MelloLynn Clough Claudia MizeJeanette Crosetti Martha MuzziMimi Crumpton Nancy Ruiz DePuyCarolyn Davidson Lori SunderlandJolene Vukasovich Gayle IvanovichSheila Prader Anne JenkinsDobie Jenkins Tina BainePriscilla Partridge Nancy Ruiz DepuyMichael Deller Mark Clarke

Watsonville High School Community Service Volunteers Alina Aguilar

Stephanie ChavezAdilene Garcia

Volunteer hours to date: 2,600 hrs

New VolunteersCarolyn Davidson GardenMichael Deller ArchiveMark Clarke Garden

Tours scheduled for 2017Linscott School (April 26th)Notre Dame (May 24th)American Stage Tours (June 1st)American Stage Tours (June 9th).SOS Program Tour (Aug. 3rd) American Stage Tours (Aug. 11th)Linscott School (Aug. 20th)Linscott School (Dec. 6th)

Items of Note

The Pajaro Valley ‘Then & Now’By Michael Deller

On the corner of Main and Peck streets stands one of downtown Watsonville’s most distinguished and time-honored of buildings: the Pajaro Valley National Bank. The bank is now under the operation of Wells Fargo. The original bank building that stood on this corner was founded by J.T. Porter and other associates in 1888. By 1939 an expansion of the bank became necessary, and a larger bank was constructed on the site. The building that stands today, designed by architect H.H. Winner, opened in March of 1940. The updated design features a more modern Art Deco styling, which was popular from the 1920s to the 1940s. Wells Fargo, which has its own lengthy history in California, has operated at this site since 1961. While the Wells Fargo name is displayed along side of the building, the structure’s main facade still bears this original moniker of Pajaro Valley National Bank. The bank building is a recipient of a Blue Plaque from the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History Historical Landmark Committee.

The Pajaro Valley National Bank building through the years.

A Host of Capital Improvement Projects Have Been Completed

By Lou Arbanas American Stage Tours al-ways brings wonderful visi-tors from the Bay Area and beyond, and we are always excited by the people with connections to the Pajaro Valley. Lucinda Witherspoon was the hair dresser for the former June Borina. Now living in San Francisco, she had an abundance of stories to share about the Pajaro Valley as related to her by June.

By Ralph Jacobs The PVHA Capital Improvement Plan, a goal of the 2016 Strategic Plan, has completed the following projects: Paving of the driveway and rear parking area ($23,600); painting of the Carriage House and Tank House ($5,800); and painting of the front fence ($2,000). As part of our regular maintenance program, the rear garden lawn was replaced ($4,000). Future projects are to replace and/or upgrade the archive computer system; clean and paint the house, garage and annex; and level, repair or replace the brick work around the rear garden. Funding for the projects has been from many sources: the Borina Foundation, the Zoe Orr Endowments, the City of Watsonville, PVHA Volunteers and Board Mem-bers. And budgeted repair and maintenance funds.

The Hairdresser Knows: June Borina’s Stylist Visits PVHA

PVHA’s newly paved driveway is just one of many completed projects.

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Oral History Committee Hosts Workshop and Lunch

The time has come for final good-byes to Mary Okamoto. She was as much a part of the Bockius House and Garden as the Bockius Family, Frank and Zoe Orr, the Association Board Members and the many Volunteers who have loved and cared for this historic property found in the oldest part of the city. Mary passed away on Sunday, June 11, in Alexandria, Virginia at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Dr. Wayne Minami. When Mary retired in 2005, she had been associated with the house for 51 years — more than 40 of those years when Frank and Zoe Ann Orr lived in the house. In 1994, when the property was donated to the Pajaro Valley Historical Association by Mrs.

Orr, Mary was the long time house-keeper and assisted with entertaining thousands of visitors, both for the Orrs and for the Association. Mrs. Okamoto knew the answer to every question about the house, the furnishings and even special plants and trees in the garden. Some of her advice: “You must gather the black walnuts as soon as they fall before the squirrels do;” “remember where the Corgis are, by the Gazebo;” “don’t

forget to wind Frank’s grandfather clock.” We did often forget the latter, and Mary stood on a footstool to make up for our forgetful-ness. When items would be returned to the house from distant family members, Mary knew exactly where they belonged. Jeff Hudson and his family were living over the garage when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck and the house sustained heavy damage. Jeff wrote a detailed account of the house restoration: “As the rooms were finished, Zoe Ann’s longtime housekeeper Mary Okamoto came in and put things in proper order. Mary had been working for Zoe Ann for literally decades, and Mary unpacked household items that had been stored, and put them back where they belonged. Mary knew the interior of the house better than anyone,

she also did quite a bit of work in the garden, and helped care for the various bonsai. Mary continued to look after the house in a very devoted manner long after Zoe had basically stopped living there. “So as you visit Bockius House, try to see it as it was in the late 1800s – as a farmhouse owned by a prosperous family that settled in California. See it simultaneously as it was in the 1950s – redone as the residence of a prizewinning newspaper editor. See it also as it is today – a showcase for the history of the region. And if you will, think of Mary Okamoto (who cleaned and tended the house for decades) and the many others who have helped keep the house beautiful through many years.”

– Jeff Hudson (October 2009)

By Gerry Martin The Oral History Committee hosted a work shop on Friday, Aug. 18, with Irene Reti, director of the Regional Oral History Project at UCSC, as the presenter. Thirteen PVHA members were fortunate to participate in interview simulations and lively discussions for the

five-hour event. The House Committee provided lunch and partici-pants came away with a renewed energy to record the memories of the Pajaro Valley. If anyone is interested in joining this Committee in any capacity, please contact PVHA at (831) 722-0305

Mary Okamoto, Beloved Housekeeper for the Orrs, Passes Away

Mary Okamoto and Zoe Orr.

September 2017 Pajaro Valley Historical Association Page 7

Page 8 Pajaro Valley Historical Association September 2017

Pajaro Valley Historical AssociationP.O. Box 623Watsonville, CA 95077

Preserving the History of the Greater Pajaro Valley

Established 1940 ~ Incorporated 1956

Board of DirectorsJudy Nielsen, PresidentPhil Ybarra, Vice-PresidentRalph Jacobs, TreasurerLuann Lauesen, Secretary Ken DoblerJohn EspinozaPeter NavarroTony ScurichChuck AllenSharon Bystran

Office Administrator: Jodi FrensleyI.T. Committee Chair: Louis Arbanas

Ways to Donate

• Become a Member

• Upgrade yourMembership Level

• Make a general donation to the PVHA

• Make a donation to our endowment funds:Historic Preservation (endowment fund information)or Archive (endowment fund established at TheCommunity Foundation)

Checks should be made payable to PVHA

with a designation notation

THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY PROJECTP.O. Box 1181Watsonville, CA 95077

Phone/Fax: 831-724-5898Email: Postmaster@aghistoryproject.orgWebsite: www.aghistoryproject.org

AHP MISSION STATEMENT

Enriching our Lives with Agricultural History

JOIN AHP....enjoy members-only benefits and support ag history!Yes, I/We will support the Agricultural History Project in the membership classification checked below:Name or Business

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Donations to AHP are tax deductible. ID # 77-0165945

Clip and mail to: AHP, P. O. Box 1181, Watsonville, CA 95077

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