The death of Wayne Lightfoot in a car crash in November of 1963 is by far the saddest memory I have of my high school years. I didn't know him personally but I still get sad thinking about this life that was snuffed out in an instant. Who could ever forget his enthusiasm, friendliness, and love of football? Those piercing light blue eyes didn't hurt, either.
Life is fragile and none of us gets out of it alive. Lets be thankful every day for the people in our lives, and let them know we love them, and that they matter to us. Rest in Peace, Wayne.
Yes, Wayne's death was tragic! He was a great guy, so strong and athletic it was hard to believe he was gone so young. My first reality check concerning death.
What a nice tribute, Susan. I don't know if it was our age or what, but Wayne's death really hit us all hard. . .especially the Del Norte crowd since we knew him for such a long time. Reading your post made me cry. Thanks for the beautiful words.
Definately a reality check and my saddest memory of high school as well. I was listening to the radio while getting ready for school and I heard it on the news. I thought, "How many Wayne Lightfoot's can there be?"
When I got to school, everyone was crying in the halls and I knew it was true.
He and Lynda Imlay...Football hero and Varsity Cheer leader. How could this be?
He and I had a bookeeping class together and he was a genuinely nice guy! Believe it or not, I was pretty shy in high school and he always went out of his way to make me comfortable.
I always felt so bad for John who was driving and lost his best friend.
Some of us were catching rides with those who had cars to go to the funerals. I rode with Danny Thomason and that was how I met, and ended up marrying Steve Sidhu.
Wow...the memories are flooding back...
I also remember Wayne as being kind and caring. I also remember the pall the hung over the halls for weeks after his death. Wayne and I had lockers near each other and he would go out of his way to say hi to me (probably intuiting that in those days I was painfully shy). I also recall that as my first realization that death could take us at any time. Up until then I had only lost 2 grandparents, as was to be expected. RIP dear Wayne. Although you weren't with us for long you made a difference in many of our lives!
What a caring tribute all of you folks have made generated out of your love and tenderness over the loss of a friend and student, who was liked and admired by all. I was a friend of Wayne's and the sorrows of that day still linger on and on, and it was an honor to be a pallbearer at his funeral. I spent alot of time with Nick Paoletto over at the Lightfoots, and what a joy his parents were. a little woman who could roar like a lion and she was the true ruler of the house, who was know as "Mom" Lightfoot, and then there was a bear of a Man, we all called "Pop" Lightfoot. The time I spent over at the Lightfoot house was so special with a time frame starting in 1962, and sadly ending after the passing of both of these second parents to all or us expanded EHS kid who hung out periodially, or sat in the football stands with Mom and Pop many years after Wayne's death.
Probably the proudest days of my whole life, was during my Junior year and Pop came to the Edgewood Wrestling Tournament, which included about 16 schools, and I sat between Pops spead legs which formed a perfect resting place as he was right behind me, one roll up and I could lean back and totally relax. Pop was allowed to sit in our teams designated place as a guest the EHS wrestling team. What a day and what a man. During that day which spread from the morning hours to the darkness of the night, I had (4) four matches, of which I all won, and then I advanced to the finals of the 168 pound class, between myself and a Wrestler from Rosemead, who I ended up pinning in the first period.
How proud I was, as Pop was there, up close and his word of engouragement throughout the day were well taken, first class and helpfull all the way, (AS HE WAS THE CLOSEST FATHER FIGUREI EVER HAD). Then to top it all off, our team not only won the tournament, but I was chosen as the Most Valuable Wrestler of the First Annual Edgwood Wrestling Tournament.
Many, many years later, Mom died, and Pop found religion to comfort himself with the loss of his true love.
Then, on the day that Pop died he was in a Hospice room, and Sheila and I prayed with him and then went out to dinner with the a friend of ours, who was also a banker, and the estate manager of Pop's matters. On the way back, we received a phone call that Pop had died, and within 5 minutes we were at this side and tears rolled down our faces. Sheila and I then left and I sat in the car and the past history, with the whole Lightfoot family was looked at in gentle words and and respestfullness with a few laughts and more than a few tears. When our friend came to his car he gently placed in my hands, Pop Lightfoot's watch, which was still on Pop's wrist a few moments before. That watch is worn everday with the tenderness and caring of not only knowning the Lightfoots, but being a loving part of their expanded family (John, Wayne, Henry, Grandpa & Grandma Gicomi - Grandpa & Grandma Lightfoot, and Mom and Pop lightfoot).
As each of you know by now, I can ramble on and on, but there are only two matters left to share with you. At both of Mom and Pops funerals, I stood in front of all in attendance and I shared a few prayers and a few or more words of my genuine respect to both of these unique and fine individuals, who meant so much to me for over 45 plus short years.
Susan McRobbie (Harrigan)
The death of Wayne Lightfoot in a car crash in November of 1963 is by far the saddest memory I have of my high school years. I didn't know him personally but I still get sad thinking about this life that was snuffed out in an instant. Who could ever forget his enthusiasm, friendliness, and love of football? Those piercing light blue eyes didn't hurt, either.
Life is fragile and none of us gets out of it alive. Lets be thankful every day for the people in our lives, and let them know we love them, and that they matter to us. Rest in Peace, Wayne.
Dana Jackson (Jackson)
Yes, Wayne's death was tragic! He was a great guy, so strong and athletic it was hard to believe he was gone so young. My first reality check concerning death.
Susie Trimble (Brusby)
What a nice tribute, Susan. I don't know if it was our age or what, but Wayne's death really hit us all hard. . .especially the Del Norte crowd since we knew him for such a long time. Reading your post made me cry. Thanks for the beautiful words.
Marianne Mack (Turk)
Definately a reality check and my saddest memory of high school as well. I was listening to the radio while getting ready for school and I heard it on the news. I thought, "How many Wayne Lightfoot's can there be?"
When I got to school, everyone was crying in the halls and I knew it was true.
He and Lynda Imlay...Football hero and Varsity Cheer leader. How could this be?
He and I had a bookeeping class together and he was a genuinely nice guy! Believe it or not, I was pretty shy in high school and he always went out of his way to make me comfortable.
I always felt so bad for John who was driving and lost his best friend.
Some of us were catching rides with those who had cars to go to the funerals. I rode with Danny Thomason and that was how I met, and ended up marrying Steve Sidhu.
Wow...the memories are flooding back...
Pete Ashlock
Biggest funeral I ever went to. I remember the day at school. The school was never so quiet all day. The
whole school was in shock. There was not a student in any year that did not know Wayne. I think we all agree
that was the saddest school day ever. It was a sad day for everyone in that accident.
Merrily White (Curtis)
I also remember Wayne as being kind and caring. I also remember the pall the hung over the halls for weeks after his death. Wayne and I had lockers near each other and he would go out of his way to say hi to me (probably intuiting that in those days I was painfully shy). I also recall that as my first realization that death could take us at any time. Up until then I had only lost 2 grandparents, as was to be expected. RIP dear Wayne. Although you weren't with us for long you made a difference in many of our lives!
Merrily White (Curtis)
Craig Fuller
What a caring tribute all of you folks have made generated out of your love and tenderness over the loss of a friend and student, who was liked and admired by all. I was a friend of Wayne's and the sorrows of that day still linger on and on, and it was an honor to be a pallbearer at his funeral. I spent alot of time with Nick Paoletto over at the Lightfoots, and what a joy his parents were. a little woman who could roar like a lion and she was the true ruler of the house, who was know as "Mom" Lightfoot, and then there was a bear of a Man, we all called "Pop" Lightfoot. The time I spent over at the Lightfoot house was so special with a time frame starting in 1962, and sadly ending after the passing of both of these second parents to all or us expanded EHS kid who hung out periodially, or sat in the football stands with Mom and Pop many years after Wayne's death.
Probably the proudest days of my whole life, was during my Junior year and Pop came to the Edgewood Wrestling Tournament, which included about 16 schools, and I sat between Pops spead legs which formed a perfect resting place as he was right behind me, one roll up and I could lean back and totally relax. Pop was allowed to sit in our teams designated place as a guest the EHS wrestling team. What a day and what a man. During that day which spread from the morning hours to the darkness of the night, I had (4) four matches, of which I all won, and then I advanced to the finals of the 168 pound class, between myself and a Wrestler from Rosemead, who I ended up pinning in the first period.
How proud I was, as Pop was there, up close and his word of engouragement throughout the day were well taken, first class and helpfull all the way, (AS HE WAS THE CLOSEST FATHER FIGURE I EVER HAD). Then to top it all off, our team not only won the tournament, but I was chosen as the Most Valuable Wrestler of the First Annual Edgwood Wrestling Tournament.
Many, many years later, Mom died, and Pop found religion to comfort himself with the loss of his true love.
Then, on the day that Pop died he was in a Hospice room, and Sheila and I prayed with him and then went out to dinner with the a friend of ours, who was also a banker, and the estate manager of Pop's matters. On the way back, we received a phone call that Pop had died, and within 5 minutes we were at this side and tears rolled down our faces. Sheila and I then left and I sat in the car and the past history, with the whole Lightfoot family was looked at in gentle words and and respestfullness with a few laughts and more than a few tears. When our friend came to his car he gently placed in my hands, Pop Lightfoot's watch, which was still on Pop's wrist a few moments before. That watch is worn everday with the tenderness and caring of not only knowning the Lightfoots, but being a loving part of their expanded family (John, Wayne, Henry, Grandpa & Grandma Gicomi - Grandpa & Grandma Lightfoot, and Mom and Pop lightfoot).
As each of you know by now, I can ramble on and on, but there are only two matters left to share with you. At both of Mom and Pops funerals, I stood in front of all in attendance and I shared a few prayers and a few or more words of my genuine respect to both of these unique and fine individuals, who meant so much to me for over 45 plus short years.
Love to all,
Craig A. Fuller
Judy Mingle (Hodgson)
Beautiful and poignant reflections of lives well lived. Love is so everlasting. ❤️❤️