With great sorrow that we inform you that another of our WWII Veterans passed away on Easter Sunday April 4, 2010. His name is George Colbert and he was one of the members that help hold the Post together the last few years. A lot of you watch the film last year of his history in Martinez.  He was a 25 plus year member in the our VFW 1351. He was a U.S. Navy Corpsman during WWII and served with the Marine Corps. As most of you know Marines have a special bond with their Corpsmen. So, we that were Marines say "Semper FI" to George and may he rest in piece. All of us in the Post will miss you George.  George was born in Eray, Oaklahoma and settled in Benica after the war and moved to Martinez, CA. in November 1946.  He worked at the Avon Refinery, Concord, CA., now Tesoro Refinery, for 38 1/2 year.  Services will be held later in the summer when all his family can attend.  His urn will be put at rest in the Dixon National Cemetery.

Carl A. Edwards

Louis Menesini

Louis E. "Louie" Menesini Sept. 9, 1918 - Feb. 11, 2010 Martinez Native and life long resident, Louis E. "Louie" Menesini passed away February 11, 2010 following a brief illness. Louie was the eldest son of the late Mario and Mary Menesini. He attended local schools graduating from Alhambra High School in 1936. After high school, Louie went to work for Shell Oil Company as a messenger boy. World War II came about and Louie enlisted in the U.S Army serving four years in Germany, France. Landing on Norman Beach through Belgium and fought through the Battle of the Bulge. Upon his return home, Louie continued his career with Shell as a chemist in the lab retiring in 1977. Louie was also a volunteer Fireman with the Martinez Fire Department for over 25 years. With 5 sons, Louie mastered the art of haircutting and on Wednesday and Thursday nights, he would cut hair late into the evening. He was also a great story teller very interesting to those hearing them for the first time!! Louie was known to repeat the same story over and over again. Louie was known to be very generous offering help to anyone in need. He also loved to go out to dinner with family and friends insisting on picking up the tab. He was truly loved by everyone! Louie is survived by Mark (Pat) Menesini, John (Jan) Menesini, Bob (Terry) Menesini, and Dolores Menesini. Preceding him in death was his wife, Toni Menesini in June 2004 and son Tom Menesini in May 1999. He was the loved grandfather to 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Family and Family are invited to a viewing Thursday, February 18, 2010 2-5pm, at Connolly & Taylor Funeral Home, 4000 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez. A Vigil will be held at 7pm Thursday evening at Christ the King Catholic Church 199 Brandon Road, Pleasant Hill, CA. Funeral Services to be held on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10am at the church. Burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Vincent De Paul at Christ the King Church, (in care of Father Joyce), St Anthony's Dinning Room, 121 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 or Bay Area Crisis Nursery, 1506 Mendocino Drive, Concord, CA 94521 connolly-taylorchapel.com

Published in Contra Costa Times on February 16, 2010

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