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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 07242007 - AJ AJ THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Date: July 24, 2007 Adjournment On this date the Board of Supervisors adjourned this meeting in memory of 85-year-old John Farley, who died May 6. Farley had given his daughter strict instructions that he be buried with a Boy Scout cap (he was a dedicated leader for more than 50 years) and in his Pearl Harbor survivor "uniform" of white trousers, Hawaiian shirt, garrison cap and Kona beads. The waffle was placed there by a neighbor, who had made waffles for Farley for breakfast every weekend morning after his wife died 51/2 years ago. Farley, always the character, also insisted his eulogy begin with a joke because he rarely entered a conversation without telling one. Daughter Eileen Farley dutifully obeyed her father's wishes, even though she said he had ignored hers by dying just a week before Mother's Day, when the family had planned a Father's Day celebration. "He decided 85 years down here was long enough," she told the more than 400 family and friends who attended his fi►neral at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. "Well, Dad, I disagree. Another'few weeks, months, would have been nice ... you are going to be missed." Farley was well-known in Concord for his service to his country and active participation in Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Chapter 13, in Walnut Creek. Farley was instrumental in getting the beacon on Mount Diablo lit every year on Dec. 7 for Pearl Harbor survivors. It was quite a feat, said John Reese, who is with Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley. Other veteran groups have tried and failed to have the beacon lit for other. purposes. Farley was also a Boy Scout leader who regularly attended Troop 490's meetings -- even after his sons were grown -- until February, when he became ill and eventually entered Abel Care Home. "He was quite a gentleman," said Reese, who worked hard with other local veterans to ensure that Farley was buried with what Reese described as very close to full military honors. "He deserved it because there are not many Pearl Harbor survivors, and John was one of the true active survivors." Growing up, Farley was an Anny brat who decided after graduating from high school in Montana that he'd rather join the Navy. The Navy recruiter, he told his family, was nicer than the recruiter for the Army. After six years in the service, he moved to San Francisco, where lie met his wife, Clare, on a blind date. The couple settled in Concord and raised their six children, and Farley retired i w from the Contra Costa County Assessor's Office after 31 years. Clare and John had been married for 55 years when she died. Farley was remembered as a strict but loving and devoted father who got a kick out of embarrassing his teenage children with what daughter Kathleen Farley called "dumb jokes." He didn't talk with his children about his experience in the war until the 1970s, when the family traveled to Hawaii. The trip evoked such strong memories, he started talking and didn't stop, said Eileen Farley. Farley was a machinists mate, first class, on the USS California when it was struck at Pearl Harbor. He jumped into the ocean for safety and then managed to Pull himself aboard another ship. He had been on his way to church services that day, so he was dressed in his "whites." As he climbed the ship's cargo nets, he noticed his uniform had turned black, as it was covered in oil. The ropes of the net burned his hands, which caused the skin to peel off. Incredibly, that very same day, Farley's mother received word that his father, who was still serving in the Army, was reported missing in the Philippines. He had been taken prisoner by the Japanese and later died in captivity. At Pearl Harbor, Farley was mistakenly listed as missing in action, so for several days his mother didn't know whether he was dead or alive. Immediately after the explosion, Farley had been enlisted to help search for the dead. He worked in dark plumes of smoke, his daughter said, poking through the murky water with a grappling pole. But not all his memories of the service were dark, said Benjamin Smith, a member of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Chapter 13. The pair served on the USS California together, though they didn't know each other well at the time. They later became close friends and would often reflect on their shared experiences. The two laughed about the time nearly every single crew member came down with what they were told was "cat fever." The nurses, Smith said, scurried around the ship caring for some 700 men. They also recalled the time that the California was trying to help out the Army by transporting some tanks for a staged invasion of the Monterey Bay. Somehow, the tanks and motor launch came loose from the ship and fell into the water. "As far as l know, they are on the bottom of Monterey Bay," Smith said, chuckling. Farley would have approved of the laughter. THIS IS A MATTER FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY NO BOARD ACTION WAS TAKEN Q %■i Im rn p rn v > C� � m W ,� Q 7m r. ?> vi V, Olt Q rn -� N H vi a► rn 0 3 rn I .. ., .. .... :: ......_ "^aL_ epi —5. A xaki ....... ...... . ... . ...... . ............ Ii.. .. .. .. .. i.. :. Cr tra as , tW "{;:" ,; r'' i Priv I1rtrict Y E �a .......... ........... ... . ...... . .. I. F�zo CK : L .. ER Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Press Update Saturday, July 21, 2007 12:01 p.m. CONTACTS: Battalion Chief Dave George 925-383-5011 Public Information Officer Emily Hopkins 925-381-1685 Two Fire Fighters and two civilians perish in San Pablo house fire Two Contra Costa County Fire Protection District firefighters and two civilians died early this morning in a house fire at 149 Michele Drive in San Pablo. "Our greatest sympathy is extended to the families and friends of these firefighters, and the victim's," said Fire Chief Keith Richter. "This includes our extended family of all brother and sister firefighters. It is a sad day." I The two firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty were Fire Captain Matt C. Burton, 34, a resident of Concord CA and Fire Engineer Scott P. Desmond, 37, a resident of Brentwood CA. At 0143, Engine 70 was dispatched to a fire alarm.. While en route, based on additional information, the incident was upgraded to a structure response. The on-scene report indicated that two people were inside. I Four engines, including three from Contra Costa County Fire District and one from Richmond Fire Department responded. Engine 70's crew, after finding and assisting in one rescue, continued searching for a second victim. During this rescue effort they became trapped. Despite valiant rescue efforts, two firefighters and the occupants perished as a result of the fire. The names of the residents of the house, a man, 67, and woman, 62, are withheld until next of kin are notified by the Sheriff-Coroner's office. The incident is under investigation. More information will be on our web site when it is available, www.cccfpd.org ,01 O.Geary Road....Rleasanliiiil.California 94523.4694 i'�lepi�rire„{52�)9;15=33(1{x::•F<�x'(925)941'3309' ity ,iei i) rid i92S ��.: F Xir)l5f ) ��,x) 11f { ':I"i'•y' • f(?If';.St'(?"�Ct)11?v ... ..._: IN :vtv.cccird:mrc7 ,r I, i. i l: :...;. ;:. :: E_� Com` - ... ,i: �r &q Cos e��rr� :fir s N a � ion:.: ?� i �I Ufa.. Wr : ,I e C. K....::T{I.f,IC.i.f.Cf.. ... ..:..: ...... .: i. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Press Update Saturday, July 21, 2007 12:01 p.m. CONTACTS: Battalion Chief Dave George 925-383-5011 Public Information Officer Emily Hopkins 925-381-1685 Two Fire Fighters and two civilians perish in San Pablo house fire Two Contra Costa County`Fire Protection District firefighters and two civilians died early this morning in a house fire at 149 Michele Drive in San Pablo. "Our greatest sympathy is extended to the families and friends of these firefighters, and the victim's," said Fire Chief Keith Richter. "This includes our extended family,of all brother and sister firefighters. It is a sad day." The two firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty were Fire Captain Matt C. Burton, 34, a resident of Concord CA and Fire Engineer Scott P. Desmond, 37, a resident of Brentwood CA. At 0143, Engine 70 was dispatched to a fire alarm. While en route, based on additional information, the incident was upgraded to a structure response. The on-scene report indicated that two people were inside. Four engines, including three from Contra Costa County Fire District and one from Richmond Fire Department responded. Engine 70's crew, after finding and assisting in one rescue, continued searching for a second victim. During this rescue effort they became trapped. Despite valiant rescue efforts, two firefighters and the occupants perished as a result of the fire. The names of the residents of the house, a man, 67, and woman, 62, are withheld;until next of kin are notified by the Sheriff-Coroner's office. The incident is under investigation. More information will be on our web site when it is available, www.eccfpd.org 26.i.O Geary Road.i Ple,sant.Hill;'Cal ifoiFnin 94 523-1694=Teiephone%.(925)941-3300. F"az.i925).941 3iQ9. 16'{i!;_ :i:i%.i7•.1:, 3 Fi925) :y w••r rcr,f{�i'orr I. • I : .. I., .r ....�.��? :53 �:.�.63 f1 :' M✓.O.t lt1 ':: ,' Fir6:Pt,'oI[ecti+QC13:JiI i�V _ i[. is \ .: ..... ._. ...... .. ....... r `nh er+ r, ,.. .i:r :. ............... ,. .. . , illi .l. K F 111-i t, x:;11'1 Fh; , : : Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Press Update Saturday, July 21,.2007 12:01 p.m. CONTACTS: Battalion Chief Dave George 925-383-50,11 Public Information Officer Emily Hopkins 925-381-1685 Two Fire Fighters and two civilians perish in San Pablo house fire Two Contra Costa County, Fire Protection District firefighters and two civilians died early this morning in a house fire at 149 Michele Drive in San Pablo. "Our greatest sympathy is extended to the families and friends of these firefighters, and the victim's," said Fire Chief Keith Richter. "This includes our extended family of all brother and sister firefighters. It is a sad day." The two firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty were Fire Captain Matt C. Burton, 34, a resident of Concord CA and Fire Engineer Scott P. Desmond, 37, a resident of Brentwood CA. At 0143, Engine 70 was dispatched to a fire alarm. While en route, based on additional information, the incident was upgraded to a structure response. The on-scene report indicated that two people were inside. Four engines, including three from Contra Costa County Fire District and one from Richmond Fire Department'.responded. Engine 70's crew, after finding and assisting in one rescue, continued searching for a second victim. During this rescue effort they became trapped. Despite valiant rescue efforts, two firefighters and the occupants perished as a result of the fire. The names of the residents of the house, a man, 67, and woman, 62, are withheld until next of kin are notified by the Sheriff-Coroner's office. The incident is under investigation. More information will be on our web site when it is available, www.cccfpd.org 2010 Geriry.:Road:r P165saW.Hi11; .aIif rnin 9452341-694-:Te1ephb6e(92 5)941-3300. .:F6x.(92.5)9.4i-3309` t..:t. ^,:i:' :. .7(i:(;F;:i'i; 1 i";C�S'U : p..: "�'�K't'ViV.CCCfF�G�:4/'ff