John Heagerty

Hello there. I'm not an alumni, but I wanted to post a memory of Carole Miguel, who I learned passed away last year. I had contacted Carole about the song she composed, "My Hawaiian Christmas". I heard the song playing on an audio loop at Disney World's Polynesian Resort several years ago. After an internet search, I found that Carole was the composer, and I emailed her to let her know that her song was included in Disney's audio loop for Christmas. I received a reply from Carole, thanking me for letting her know, and she was greatly appreciative that her song was playing at Disney World. The song is a beautiful melody and was recorded by the Honolulu Boys Choir...it can be found on Youtube with a simple search. Anyway, I just wanted to share that memory. I never met Carole other than that one email exchange, but the fact that she responded to my email about her song indicates she must've been a lovely woman. Thank you. Paul Weiser Slidell, Louisiana

Carlo E. Vecchiarelli Jr. passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 12^th, 2022, after a short but strong battle with cancer. He was 79 years old.  Born in 1942, in Alameda Ca, to his parents, Dr. Carlo E. Vecchiarelli Sr. and Laura N. Mastroianni-Vecchiarelli; he grew up in San Leandro and attended Bishop O’Dowd High School in nearby Oakland, where he graduated in 1960.  

It was, however, during his elementary school years at St. Leander Catholic School in San Leandro, where he met his future wife, Geri.  He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Geri Keele-Vecchiarelli; his son Carlo E. Vecchiarelli III (Chuck) & Chuck’s wife Brenda Freeman- Vecchiarelli; his daughter Veronica Vecchiarelli-Valleau (Rocky) & Rocky’s husband Kenneth Valleau.  

Carlo had five grandchildren, Tyler Blain, Josh Blain, Brianna Vecchiarelli, JonCarlo Valleu, AJ Valleau, and three beautiful great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  

He began his career at Chabot College in Hayward, Ca. in 1968 as a faculty member and professor in the science department.  He taught there until becoming the dean of admissions and records in 1975. He remained a dean in the administration for almost 30 years until his retirement in 2003.  

His love and dedication to excellence in education did not end there; he ran for and was proudly elected as the District 5 Las Positas & Chabot College Board trustee in 2004.  After serving a total of 15 years and as the board president for three different terms, he retired from the board in 2019, completing his legacy of over 50 years in education.  

In 1985, while living in San Leandro and with Geri’s help, he opened a collectible shop called Dolls and Ducks.  In 1990, it was relocated to Downtown Main Street, in Pleasanton, Ca. for an additional 15 years.  When he wasn’t out on the baseball or softball field as an umpire supporting local athletics, Carlo enjoyed collecting Federal Duck Stamps and prints, selling wildlife art and was committed to the preservation of various species of waterfowl native to California.  

Since he moved to Pleasanton in 1991, Carlo had been an active parishioner of the Catholic Community of Pleasanton (CCOP) at St. Augustine’s church and a current member of the Knights of Columbus in Pleasanton.  If Carlo were here today, he would share with you that his greatest joy was being a father, but even more so, a grandfather and great-grandfather.  His pride in his children and grandchildren was unmatchable and infinite.  He will be greatly missed. 

On behalf of the family, we would like to invite you to join us on Friday, March 11, 2022, for a service at St. Michael Catholic Church, located at 458 Maple Street in Livermore, Ca. 94550.  A Rosary will be at 10 am.  Mass and Celebration of Life will begin at 11 am.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Chabot & Las Positas Community College Foundation in Carlo’s name for either the Veterans Initiative or Athletic Department, https://www.lpcfoundation.org/investing/make-an-investment.  Or your favorite charity.

Richard “Dick’ Fagliano ’60, R.I.P.

Sadly, we have been advised that our friend and classmate, Dick Fagliano ’60, passed away on June 26, 2021. Although the cause of death was not mentioned, his cousin Roberta Fagliano Pastorino indicated he had been living in Santa Rosa. Dick never married. He is survived by a brother Robert. Dick would have been age 79 in September.

Dick will be remembered as a good student and a terrific athlete. He was a star on very good O’Dowd Dragons varsity basketball teams as a junior and, especially, his senior year. Accepted to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, with a full scholarship, Dick returned to California early in his freshman year and later went on to attend and graduate from St. Mary’s College. He was also a talented cartoonist, which revealed itself early in his life.

In later life, Dick was handicapped by physical and mental disabilities. He attended all of our five-year ’60 reunions from 1980 to 2021, always with a smile and kind comments. In fact, he was the first classmate to arrive at our 50^th reunion, in the late morning for our special dinner at the Sequoyah Country Club. Dick was aptly described as a “very sweet guy.” He will be missed by many.

May he rest in peace.

John Heagerty ’60.

Carole (2017) with (l-r) Darlene Gervasoni Healer, Carole Miguel, Barbara Rodrigues Pilling, Luci (Lucine Cunha) Flynn,  Arlene Almada Lopes, Jackie Menghini Pickard.

Kerry Murphy

1942 - 2020

Kerry Murphy
February 14, 1942 - July 2, 2020
Resident of Orinda and Hawaii

It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce the passing of Kerry James Murphy. He passed away peacefully at home on July 2 at the age of 78.

Kerry was born in Oakland Ca. on Feb 14th, 1942. He grew up in Alamo Ca. with his father William Sr., his mother Martha, and his younger brother William Jr.

On June 16, 1984, he married the love of his life, Margaret Susan Murphy.
Kerry graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1964 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business/Marketing. After graduation, Kerry joined his father's business, Murphy's Inc., in Oakland, Ca. Kerry became president of Murphy's Inc. in 1968.

In 1987 Kerry sold Murphy's Inc. to Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and thereafter worked for Goodyear as their National Commercial Retread Sales Manager.

Kerry Co-founded DuMOL Winery in 1996 in the Russian River Valley and constructed its new winery in Windsor in 2008. DuMOL wines were served at many state dinners in The White House under the Bush Jr. and Obama administrations. The wines were distributed in parts of Europe and Asia. Kerry sold DuMOL in 2015.

Kerry had a deep love for Hawaii. He and Margie built their dream home at Kohanaiki in 2017, where he loved to read, golf and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean over his morning coffee with the love of his life by his side. In their free time, Kerry and Margie traveled and experienced life to its fullest. Kerry was very strong in his Catholic faith. He was very fond of San Damiano in Alamo, Ca., where he donated a beautiful statue of St. Francis of Assisi in his father's memory. Kerry also enjoyed fly fishing and visited many beautiful places during his fishing trips with friends and family. He was a loyal Raiders fan from the beginning and season ticket holder throughout their time in Oakland.

Kerry's generosity has touched so many lives, within and beyond his family. He was a philanthropist supporting Bishop O'Dowd High School, John Muir Hospital, and was most recently proud of his involvement in medical research. His character and spirit were unrivaled. He was thoughtful, deliberate, and compassionate in nature. His wonderful sense of humor and laugh overtook any room and still echoes in the hearts of those who loved him. He was the life of the party. Family was at the heart of everything in Kerry's life. He cherished his time with his family and especially his 11 grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Opa".

Kerry is survived by his wife, Margie Murphy(Baer), as well as his five children: Kerry Murphy Jr, Timothy Murphy (Lisa Murphy), Michael Murphy (Julie Murphy), Todd Fitch (Kristin Fitch) and Michelle McNeil (Tom McNeil), and his eleven grandchildren: Ryan, Abby, Clare, Jack, Madeline, Cayden, Alivia, Molly, Connor, Brenden, and Chloe. He is also survived by his brother, William Murphy Jr.(Susan), niece Eleanor and nephew Jonathan. He was preceded in death by his father William, his mother Martha, and his nephew Christopher.

Because of COVID19, there will be a small service for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to John Muir Hospital at givehealthjmh.org or an organization of your choice.


View the online memorial for Kerry Murphy. Appeared in Contra Costa Times, Sunday, July 12, 2020.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Guess we're the only two '60s with this B-day. Enjoy!

Have a great day, Mike, and a fabulous year ahead.