OBITUARIES
ETHEL PIRRONE
1923-2011
Ethel was bom in Burbank on
May 1, 1923. Her family moved'to
South Gate where she graduated
from South Gate High School.
She met Manny, her husband-
to-be, in 1940 after he spotted her
in the Casino Ballroom. At the mo-
ment he first saw her, he turned to
his friend and said, "I'm going to
marry that girl." His friend asked,
"Don't you think you should meet
her first?" The wedding was May
25, 1941, and it would have been
70 years of marriage this year.
Her first child, daughter Julie,
was born in April 1942. Ethel was
a very devoted wife as she traveled
to be with her husband during the
war. She traveled to Spear Fish,
SD, Phoenix, AZ, Lemoine, CA,
La Junta, CO, Columbia, SC, and
finally to Greenville, SC where the
stateside training ended. After-
wards Manny had to go overseas.
Two months later their first son
Larry was born, followed by Bri-
an, then Gregory, and then John.
Ethel was a very busy mom
with her Cub Scout den duties and
taking care of her five children.
This wonderful family brought out
the best in her. She was a cham- •
pion with her kids, not only her
own but also her children's friends
who were always welcome in their
home. Whenever she thought she
could help she would. Dinner was
always ready at 6:00 pm and the
kids were always there on time.
Her recreational activities were
snow skiing at Mammoth and June
Mountain, and with family and a
ski group at the beautiful ski re-
sorts in Colorado. She also played
golf for many years in Whittier and
/
after moving to Avalon, she golfed
with the Avalon Women's Club.
Ethel was as proud as anyone
could possibly be of her children,
her grandchildren, and her great-
grandchildren. Grandchildren
include: Julie's daughter, Lorena
Duncan and her husband Ike. Lar-
ry's children Russell, Phillip, and
Ali. Brian's children Nick, Ashley,
Chris and his wife Angela, and
their children (Ethel's great-grand-
Chick
From page 6
This new attraction has been
gathering crowds over the last two
weeks since leaving the nest. Its
parents live across Sumner Avenue
atop a palm tree outside of the
Avalon Public Library. They are
also known to draw tourist crowds
who stand at the base of the tree
looking upward trying to see what
is making such a ruckus. When
active, Herons are very loud and
make strange noises that are hard
to ignore.
Call 310)510-0777 today for Auto, Home, Life and Business.
"THE WRITE STUFF"
Are you a writer, or would like to be one for
the Catalina Islander. The paper is seeking to
expand its editorial horizons. New reporters
and guest columnists are welcome. For more
information, contact the Islander publisher at
dan@cinews,us or call (310) 510-0500.
But for now, their new little
chick is the main attraction taking
on a Tour Plaza Mascot persona
and thrilling tourists by its mere
presence.
&BLAIR
children) Kahea, Alia, Avalon and
Ka'ena.
God bless this beautiful lady.
There will be services at the cem-
etery at noon on June 4, followed
immediately by refreshments at
Steve's Steakhouse.
HARRY RAY SMITH, JR
1940-2011
Ray Smith passed away May
10, 2011 on his houseboat moored
in Catalina Harbor surrounded by
his family (both human and fe-
line).
Born August 10, 1940 in Santa
Monica, CA to Harry and Cecile
Smith, Ray grew up loving the
ocean. It was this love that led
him to join the Navy in 1959. He
spent a year in Vietnam in 1969
helping his brother bring enter-
tainment to the soldiers there. He
worked various jobs throughout
Southern California before com-
ing to Two Harbors on Catalina Is-
land in 1984 for a weekend. That
weekend lasted 27 years. He spent
16 years working for the Two Har-
bors Harbor Department as Harbor
Patrol and then went on to work
as the caretaker for the Del Rey
Yacht Club.
Ray loved the island and his
family of friends he made there.
His free time was spent golfing
and taking care of the island cats.
For almost 20 years he spearhead-
ed the highly successful Two Har-
bors TNR (trap-spay/neuter-re-
lease) Program and could always
be found feeding and caring for
the homeless/stray/feral cats in the
isthmus.
He loved his cats. He was pre-
ceded in death by his parents and
brother Dale. lie is survived by his
daughter Tina Johnson; son Mat-
th.ew Smith; grandchildren Jaime,
Jason and Michael Merzlak; great-
granddaughter Trinity Hedberg;
niece Lisa Rose; and nephew Zane
Smith.
Ray's memorial service will be
held at the Del Rey Yacht Club in
Two Harbors between l pm and
7pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
This will be an informal event with
family and friends gathering to tell
stories and share memories. Ev-
eryone is welcome to stop by and
share their memories of Ray.
In lieu of flowers the family has
asked that a donation be made in
Ray's name to the Catalina Island
Humane Society (www.Catali-
naHumane.org), PO Box 1584,
Avalon, CA 90704. The Catalina
Island Humane Society is also try-
ing to' find homes for Ray's 5 pet
boat cats. If interested please con-
tact the CIHS at (310)510-1900.
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ThecATAuNA IsLANDER ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Fridayl May 27, 2011 9
