Bruce Hix - 1946-2013

Since we received notice that our friend Bruce Hix passed away a few days ago, many have  come forward with stories about Bruce that they want everyone to hear.  If I receive any  more stories I will post them here.   Over the last 15 years heading up the reunion committee the one question I heard over  and over again at every event was "Is Bruce coming or has anyone heard from Bruce?".   Bruce was larger than life and yet he was a very private person and requested no memorial  service.  So this is our final tribute to our friend Bruce.  R.I.P.

From Dave Sholin Certainly not an email I was looking forward to send but early this morning our classmate, longtime friend and star athlete Bruce Hix lost his battle with ALS. As it turns out I was fortunate to have a last conversation with him yesterday afternoon. Other than dealing with a cold he was in fairly good spirits and we talked about the changes at Joes of Westlake and Jim Fotenos' name came up and he said right away.."smartest guy I know and a great linebacker!"  Still talking football.. and in fact he was watching the Alabama/Auburn game. It is sad but Bruce is in a much better place. What he had ahead of him was not good and  even at this stage he was extremely weak. He went in his sleep and he is no longer in  pain.  Luckily did not suffer in his final hours.  Bruce made it clear (more than several times) that he did not want any sort of funeral or  memorial so we can just honor his memory in our own way. R.I.P Bruce.    Dave Sholin ----------------------------------------  From Jim Fotenos Bruce Hix was the greatest athlete I've ever personally known.  As each of you know, he excelled in basketball,  football, and of course baseball.  He would have been a fine track and field athlete if he had had the time.  But  what made him truly great was that he was fiercely competitive and a leader.  We all knew that who played with  him. (His competiveness is captured in a yearbook photo of him tearing away a ball from a competitor on the  basketball court.)  I still remember his performance (and Marc Mallinger's) in the South City game.  He was  Westmoor's Joe Montana.  But for the seductive but destructive attractions of the Sixties he very well might h ave made it to the Bigs with the Giants.  And he had a great sense of humor.  Following practice the day before  a game, as was his custom, Matisi gave us a pep talk on the side of the practice field.  He cautioned us to take  it easy that night and get a good night's sleep. He specifically asked Bruce if he would behave.  Bruce answered  he then worked nights at a gas station):  "Don't worry coach, I'll just be pumping ethyl."  (Those under a certain  age won't get that joke.)  It was cruel fate that someone as physically gifted as Bruce would contract the  harshest of physically debilitating deceases.  Almost Shakespearian. Let Dylan sing our lament:   "May your feet always be swift   May you have a strong foundation  When the winds of changes shift   May your heart always be joyful  And may your song  always be sung   May you stay forever young   Forever young, forever young   May you stay forever young."   Your song will always be sung by us,  Bruce. It's unfortunate that there will no memorial.  There are many of us who would like to pay our respects.  Jim Fotenos -------------------------------------------------------  From Jane White Zang I was fortunate enough to have many phone conversations with Bruce and enjoyed hearing his voice.   He  certainly kept his sense of humor. We had some great laughs. I knew how hard this was for Bruce being  so active his whole life,  but did not hear a lot of complaints,  just his frustration     Will miss him much. No need for a memorial as all those great memories cannot be erased.     Jane White Zang    -------------------------------------------------------  From Allen Miller  I cannot express what a hero Bruce was to our entire school.  Though I did not hang in  his large inner circle, He leaves me to this day with burning memories of his great  athletic abilities and accomplishments on the sports field.  I would go to games just  to see him do what he did best.  I personally looked forward to seeing him again at our  next reunion. Death does not just affect the departed, but the hundreds of people who  have him in their heart and memory.  He lives on in those memories.  He will not be  forgotten for a very long time.  Over the years, I could always visualize his face in  my mind.  Few people have that great of an impact. Alan Miller ----------------------------------------------------- Label Promo Ace Bruce Hix Passes December 2, 2013 at 4:11 PM (PT) Longtime music promotion executive and accomplished athlete BRUCE HIX passed away early  yesterday morning from complications related to ALS. BRUCE excelled in many sports and in  1967 played for the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS. Following his playing days he entered the music industry working for several labels, among them  WARNER BROS., MOTOWN and POLYGRAM. No services are planned. ----------------------------------------------------- Bruce Randolph Hix  Bats: Right, Throws: Right   Height: 5' 8", Weight: 165 lb. Born: August 27, 1946  (Age 67) Minors Batting Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB 1965 18 Decatur MIDW A SFG 121 443 121 19 5 12 .273 .420 186 1966 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-WRk SFG 132 493 156 27 5 10 .316 .452 223 1966 19 Giants AZIL WRk SFG 1966 19 Fresno CALL A SFG 132 493 156 27 5 10 .316 .452 223 1967 20 Waterbury EL AA SFG 52 198 170 25 42 3 1 3 22 0 1 28 22 .247 .354 .329 .683 56 1968 21 Fresno CALL A SFG 81 285 86 15 2 1 .302 .379 108 4 Seasons 386 1419 1391 25 405 64 13 26 22 0 1 28 22 .291 .305 .412 .717 573 WRk (1 season) WRk A (3 seasons) A 334 1221 1221 363 61 12 23 .297 .297 .423 .721 517 AA (1 season) AA 52 198 170 25 42 3 1 3 22 0 1 28 22 .247 .354 .329 .683 56 Minors Fielding  Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G CG Ch PO A E DP Fld% RF/G lgCS% PO 1965 18 Decatur MIDW A SFG 3B 121 355 92 234 29 .918 2.69 1967 20 Waterbury EL AA SFG 3B 52 148 37 100 11 8 .926 2.63 2 Seasons 173 503 129 334 40 8 .920 2.68 Teams Played For  Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff 1965 18 Decatur Commodores Midwest League A SFG 1966 19 AIL Giants Arizona Instructional League WRk SFG 1966 19 Fresno Giants California League A SFG 1967 20 Waterbury Giants Eastern League AA SFG 1968 21 Fresno Giants California League A SFG ----------------------------------------------------- From Ken Liss - 1966 WHS Subject: Bruce Hix passed away yesterday Some of you might already know and some might not. Bruce had AlS. I've known Jeff Trager since the 60's and knew he and Bruce were in the music biz. I asked him to write a little about Bruce for a Westmoor/Daly City Facebook page for all those people who only knew Bruce a little or practically not at all. If anyone has any Bruce Hix stories I'd love to hear them and pass them on to the Facebook group, if you're ok with it. ----------------------------------------------------- From Jeff Trager Thank you Kenny for the email. I knew Bruce in very special way. He really was like a younger brother. Bigger, stronger, maybe not as quick, and definitely couldn't jump as high as I could, we were attached at the hip in many ways. Same high school, same passion for sports and music, and women. Both stayed single and had a plethora of the same group of friends. I don't know if you know this, but I got Bruce not only his first job in the record business, but his second also. He later got my old job when I got fired from Polygram. I taught him a lot of the ways I thought he should be as a promotion man. He was a great student and turned out to be one of the best promo guys I ever knew. He was tenacious. Every music artist and group should have had Bruce promote their record. He actually took it personal when radio station wouldn't play the records he thought were hits. We traveled a lot. Hawaii, Mexico. It seemed everywhere I would go to run away from a girl friend or lost my job, Bruce would show up. We shared a suite at a house in Puerto Vallarta, and I think even shared a few Senorita's too. We had a lot in common. Rascals to the bone, we ran hard, and we ALWAYS seemed to have a great time. Playing volleyball against the locals in Mexico, with our old friends Jerry Nunnemann and Rodger the annoying Silver was an everyday event for Bruce and I. I remember that Happy Rockefellers' Finnochio son, just loved Bruce and would spend thousands of dollars on us at a local hot spot in Vallarta. He would say "Brucie, you should join our team". Bruce, being a man's man, diplomatically declined of course. Bruce had no fear. He even asked Liz Taylor to dance right in front of Richard Burton at the City Dump Club there. God, we had some great times. If I said I had almost a million stories about our relationship and adventures, I might be close to being right. He was quite frankly the most stubborn son of a bitch I ever met, God love him. When Bruce felt he was right, look the hell out. I loved his passion, I loved his laughter, I loved his zest for life. He was a unique human being. he was one of a kind. I know he is in a better place now. I am so blessed to have been able to see him on Thanksgiving. I know he told me he didn't want to see anyone, but maybe the Good Lord had a plan for me to just drop in on him. We talked about the old days, and we laughed, and yes physically, it wasn't the Bruce I remembered, but it certainly was the old crusty, opinionated, feisty friend that I will miss. Some day I will write a book, and there will be a whole chapter about the "Stump" as I would call him. "Hixie", you touched a lot of lives. That to me is a true essence of what this man was all about. You know the son of bitch said to me when I left him the other day. He said "You never could hit!" That was his parting words. You know what? He was right. Not even the great Hix could help me. Maybe I should put that on my tombstone. Jeff Trager could never hit! So say, Bruce Hix Jeff Trager ----------------------------------------------------- From Ed Perry Class of 64-Growing up in Westlake I played little league baseball for Les Richies  Flying A. Our nemeses and the team we could never beat was from Broadmoor.  Coached by Mr Hix and with two outstanding players his son Bruce and  Gary Mendoza that team won every year. Some things just stick.  Ed Perry ----------------------------------------------------- From Paul Biancalana That was a very sad email received this morning regarding Bruce. Allen Miller's email to you  regarding Bruce was expressed perfectly for those of us who were not in Bruce's large inner  circle. He was our "rock" and "foundation" during our high school years athletics. I grew up  knowing Bruce playing little league baseball and playing sandlot ball during high school. After  graduation, I was fortunate to meet Bruce in Arizona during the Giants spring training games.  I was stationed in the Air Force in Az and the times I was able to meet and chat with Bruce  was fun, he would leave me tickets in Phoenix and Tucson for the spring training games and  it was thrilling to see our high school hero almost making it to the majors. I'm not sure what  happened to his career after the 1968 season but that is the last time I saw Bruce. It  definitely brings tears to my eyes knowing he is gone. Paul Biancalana ----------------------------------------------------- From Rob Van Tassell  I just read the email about Bruce. I have a short story I want to include. I wasn't a part of  Bruce's inner circle, but I really looked forward to game day to be a part of his magic. He was  everything the others have already said. One event still sticks in my mind though. During one  game (forgot which one), I was playing offensive guard, and he called for a pass play. As he  dropped back to pass, two defensive players were charging him, trying for that big hit on the  star quarterback. My side of the line was holding up well, so I had no one to block. I turned  toward Bruce and saw he was going to get really creamed. Fortunately, he saw the two  attackers, and he started to roll out to his left. I decided "No way Jose", so I charged towards  the rushers and wiped them both out with one block. Bruce completed the pass, and life was  good again. Bruce looked me right in the eye and said "Thank You." To this day, in my years  of playing football and rugby, not one team leader or super star has ever said thank you for  something I did during a game, and I had several major contributions to my teams. Bruce  was a true leader. He was My Man.  Rob Van Tassell -----------------------------------------------------  From Ron Johnson As early as grammar school, Bruce and I were friends and rivals on the athletic field.  It seemed we were always the two guys choosing up teams at lunchtime for baseball,  football, basketball, or kickball. We started playing together in Cub Scout softball, moved on to midget baseball (little league today), and eventually junior baseball (ages  13-14). In 1960, our last year together before high school, Bruce's dad coached  Bruce and me, along with Gary Mendoza, Al Contrares, and Ed Perry to 3 league championships and 2 or 3 tournament championships. For our effort, Van Amburg  of KGO TV, channel 7, recognized our team as the best team in Northern California. As Freshmen, things changed. The Frosh/Soph team was a pretty good team. But I  didn't get a chance to pitch a lot that year, as Coach Carr said he had to get our  Sophomore pitchers ready to pitch at the varsity level the next year. As a result, we  ended up losing a lot of games 11-9, or 13-10. In the last game of the year, Coach  Carr finally let me start against Capuchino, a team that was 13-0, and had already  clinched the league championship. In the bottom of the 7th, we were leading 3-0.  With 2 outs, I gave up a single, and on the first pitch to the next hitter, the base runner  steals second. On the next pitch, Bruce, who is playing shortstop, calls for a pick off. I  turn and fire a strike to Bruce and we get the 3rd out. Only, the runner, sliding back into second, spikes Bruce in the left hand and the ball rolls away.......the runner is safe. After  attending to Bruce's cuts, Bruce calls for a second pickoff attempt. This time we get the  runner and the game is over. In the post game celebration, Bruce and I shook hands,  and Bruce said "This is the way the whole year should have been." That was the last game of baseball Bruce and I played together. The next year, Bruce  moved up to Varsity and I had a major falling out with Coach Carr and moved on to  play golf. As competitive and cocky as Bruce was, I always found Bruce supportive, with an ability to recognize the contribution of others. Thanks to Dave Sholin, I was able to visit Bruce early in 2012. As you would expect,  we talked a lot about sports and the old days. I began to realize that he too cherished  those early years when we were learning to be "jocks". This really hit home when, as  I was getting ready to leave, he gave to me several pictures and press clippings from  our early baseball years. I will cherish them for as long as I live. Ron Johnson ---------------------------------------------------- From Larry Siegel Of course Bruce was just a remarkable athlete. I remember he came down to the track & in Heavy sweats easily cleared the high jump bar.... But more memorable was he was just a good human.... Sad day for all of us Larry Siegel ---------------------------------------------------- For those of you that didn't see the Broadmoor Facebook page: Pam, Bruce's sister, released his ashes on Dec.28th at Lake Merced with his dog Sadie. It was at the site where his brother Bill's ashes were released earlier. The day was glorious and the sun shined on the spot the whole time. Bruce is now free of pain and can run, hit, throw and make baskets as we remember him in the old days!   Charlotte Bond char.bond@aol.com

Joe's of Westmoor Dinner before they close

We have been invited to join the classes of 65 and 66 for a lunch at Joe's on  Saturday, January 18th at 11am         $30pp          NO HOST BAR   This lunch has been organized by Cheryl Mendoza, class of '66 (husband of Gary Mendoza '64)   Per Cheryl's instructions "They will be able to order lunch off the menu but I want to collect the $30pp as they arrive.  They should be prepared to pay for drinks as they go.  If we can avoid credit cards and checks - it would be quite helpful.  I won't be able to pay the check at the end of the meal with a check or someone else's credit card unless they want to pick up the tab."     Reservations are Required Email Cheryl Mendoza at  mendozasocal@msn.com  or call her at 916.834.7240. Because of our 50th reunion in June, I can't make a second trip out there and neither can Dave or George.  So the 3 of us, and others I am sure, are requesting to see pictures!

Don't Forget: WESTMOOR HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1964  "Friends" 50Th Reunion  Friday June 6, 2014 Social  Sparky's Hot Rod Garage, San Carlos Saturday June 7, 2014 Dinner/Dance Lake Merced Golf & Country Club, Daly City    Event Registration available at http://www.1964rams.com/orderform.htm Hotel Registration available at http://www.1964rams.com/hotels.html

Kathy (Kat) Sarubbi Baran - 1946-2013

It is with regret that I tell you that Kathy (Kat) Sarubbi Baran passed away on October 31, 2013.  Enclosed is a letter from her daughter requesting some stories of a special memory of Kat or a remembrance.  Email address below.

To all of the dear people that know my mother Kat, and haven't already heard the awful news, it is with sadness and deep regret that I let everybody know that my mother passed away on October 31 at about 2 o'clock in the morning. She was one of the most special people that I have ever met in my entire life, and I had the great pleasure of calling her mom. But what most people don't know is that she had a much larger family of all of the friends of Thomas and Jordan from the neighborhood, and she took care of them all. She also had many friends from the Elks, and especially Vic and Karen who were her lifeline in Palm Coast. But her closest and dearest love was my aunt Sandy, she will be loved and missed by all. My one request is that everybody all of her family and friends, take my email and send me a memory, a funny story, or something that they know about my mom so that I can have it printed. I will put everything into a hard covered Shutterfly book so that I there can be a Momento forever of her life and how special she was to everybody. My email is acruchaga@cfl.rr.com I look forward to hearing all of the wonderful stories about my mom, if anyone should have any questions please call me at 305-608-6122. Thank you for helping me keep my mother's memory, and her spirit for life alive. Blessings to you all,  AdeleCruchaga

Newsletter

Our class is very special for many, many reasons.  We were the first class of baby boomers born to parents who had lived through the war and wanted the best for their children.  This year will bring the 50th anniversary of many historic events. Unfortunately the event this week is a sad one as we remember the death of President John F. Kennedy this Friday.  Let us take pause and remember that time when we all came together as friends and classmates suffering together our nation's loss, where we were, who we were with and how we felt. Perhaps some of those memories involve classmates who have passed on. If you have memories you want to share with the class, email them to me (quiltcentral@yahoo.com) and I will compile them for our memory book.   Happy Thanksgving to all, Marian Howard Gallian WESTMOOR HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1964  "Friends" 50Th Reunion Friday June 6, 2014 Social Sparky's Hot Rod Garage, San Carlos Saturday June 7, 2014 Dinner/Dance   Lake Merced Golf & Country Club, Daly City   For Reservations go to http://www.1964rams.com/orderform.htm For Hotel Reservations go to http://www.1964rams.com/hotels.html Early Bird are in effect right now. Prices will go up on February 1, 2014. All monies are refundable until May 1, 2014.   Don't delay - Sign up now!

Our Roots going to film

Little Boxes: The Legacy of Henry Doelger - Trailer

by Monique Lombardelli·


This is a documentary coming out soon andthe trailer is well worth watching.  It apppears to be by Rob Keil, the author of Little Boxes and Monique Lombardelli.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7vYXxNd2lc


I really enjoyed watching it.  You can see the ad briefly where it says houses start at $11, 995 with 10% down.

Registration Form

PRINT THIS FORM and mail in - address below

These are Early Bird prices. Prices will go up on February 1, 2014.
All monies are refundable until May 1, 2014.

Combined price for both Friday Night and Saturday Night - $140 per person

Or choose the Friday night only price - $40 per person

Or choose the Saturday Night only price - $100 per person

Your name _______________________________________

Address _____________________________________________

City, State, Zip code ____________________________________________

cell Phone _________________ Email address ______________________________________

Name you were known by in high school _________________________________________

Number of people attending ______

Name of Friday night spouse and/or guest(s) _______________________________________________________________

Name of Saturday night guest/Spouse _________________________________________________________________

Total Dollars Remitted:

For combined fri and Saturday night ticket ____ people at $140 per person $_________

For Friday night only ____ people at $40 per person $_________

For Saturday night only ____ people at $100 per person $_________

300 page pictorial 50 year history of the class of 64 ____ copies at $45 per copy $_________ Mail book @ $5 per copy $_______

(circle one) --Let me know the details of the golf event-- or --I am not interested in the golf event--

All donations will be confidential:

Gift to Westmoor High School $________ and specify the department the gift is to be given to:____________________

Donation to help classmates attend the reunion who might need assistance financially: $________

I have an extra room and would like to invite a classmate to stay at my home during the reunion ______yes

Comments:

Make checks payable to WESTMOOR HIGH REUNION
Mail Check and this form To: Ron Johnson* 40 Park Terrace Ct. * Walnut Creek, CA 94597

Toto's Pizza

Special 50th Reunion Announcement

*******************************

Toto's pizza will be delivering to 

our reunion social Friday night 

at Sparky Hot Rod Garage.

*******************************

The committee has all worked hard and now all the available

Reunion details have now been posted on the website.  

See for yourself

www.1964rams.com

(If you have visited our site lately, you may need to hit the F5 button on your computer to refresh each screen page)

your 50th committee

Marian, Ron, George, Dave, Eric, Connie, Karen, Rena, Cathy, Linda, Judy

Newsletter

You spoke and we listened and now we have a new website with no passwords.  It's like our old website but with some then and now photos.  You will notice not everyone has photos.  Please send me in photos to put on the pages.  Or if you don't like the photos I chose, then send me another one you like and I will post it.  

www.1964rams.com

Also I have removed all email addresses.  Unlike our old websites, this one can be found in the search engines.  We want people searching the web for our 50th reunion to be able to find us!!  If you would like me to add your email address beside your name or your personal or business website beside your name, then shoot me an email - quiltcentral@yahoo.com.  Ron and I have both added our emails.  I won't add yours unless you send me an email allowing it.

P.S. - there are a lot of websites out there trying to look like they are our official website, but they are not.  The only official website is

www.1964rams.com

Big news!!!!!

Our Friday night social will be held at Sparky's Garage in San Carlos.  Combine meeting and greeting old friends with viewing all the memorabilia at Sparky's and some solid gold oldies on the jukebox and you've got a winning combination. 

The committee is all fired up and final decisions are being made.  This is going to be a HUGE and memorable event for all of us.  We are pulling out all the stops.  Registration forms and other data will be online soon.  But don't wait - stop by the website now to take a look.

 

It's confirmed

We are going to Sparky's Garage in San Carlos for our Friday night Social.  Combine meeting and greeting old friends with viewing all the memorabilia at Sparky's and some solid gold oldies on the jukebox and you've got a winning combination.

Visit our new website at www.1964rams.com.  Send in your now pictures to marian at quiltcentral@yahoo.com

50th Reunion Class of 64 Westmoor High, Daly City

"Friends"

Our 50th reunion

Plans for Friday Night are underway and they are really exciting.

Our Saturday night dinner/dance will be held at

the Lake Merced Golf and Country Club in Daly City

Set aside the dates now

Friday June 6, 2014 
Saturday June 7, 2014

Sunday June 8, 2014

Lots of Plans are underway for an exciting weekend of fun celebrating our golden 50th reunion.  The theme for the weekend is "Friends".  As plans are finalized more information will be available on our website.  

Check in at our new website
www.1964rams.com

Bob Steele 1946-2012

As reported by Jerry Ball

Bob Steele passed away this evening at 7:40 pm 2/28 at Stanford Medical Center surrounded by his lovely family and a couple of his pals. We will miss him. He put up a good fight. I hope everyone will think of him for a minute and wish him well. 

Here is the the information for Bob's funeral:

 

Viewing times March 6, 2012 from 4 pm to 8 pm

 

Funeral Service: March 7, 2012 at 11 am

 

Skylawn Memorial Park

Highway 92 & Skyline Blvd.

San Mateo, CA 94402

 

Both the veiwing and the funeral services will be held at this location.

 

Condolence cards can be mailed there as well. 

 

I have heard from many of you and know we all share a sadness that he is gone from us too soon.

Our prayers are with his family and loved ones.