Life on the Rural Side
In Memoriam: Elder
Roberts Thomas
1936-2015
This week instead of writing
about Two Harbors I feel a need to
pay tribute to a great man
who loved Catalina.
Every Sunday, Elder
Roberts Thomas and
his wife, Sister Carol
Thomas, members of
The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day
Saints, traveled from
Long Beach to Avalon to
hold church services.
Because there are
only a few Latter-day
Saints (Mormons) on
Jessica
Scofield
Columnist
the Island, holding weekly church
meetings could be a challenge.
To ensure consistency for local
members, the Thomases were
assigned to conduct Latter-day
Saint services on the Island.
Every Sunday for almost three
years, Elder and Sister Thomas
faithfully took the ferry from
Long Beach, conducted worship
services, and then took
the ferry back home.
In three years they
missed only a handful
of Sundays--twice while
visiting their children in
other states (and then only
after absolutely ensuring
that someone else would
be able to fill in) and a
couple times when local
members asked them to
avoid crossing the chan-
nel due to rough weather.
The Thomases evinced
singular dedication.
All people are welcome to LDS
church meetings.
On the Island, tourists frequent-
ly attend. Whenever guests were
present, Elder Thomas, impressed
with their desire to attend church
even on vacation, particularly in
a culture that promotes "Sunday
Fun-day" in place of religious
worship, would say that some-
day, when we're all "on the other
side," we'd meet up again and say,
"Remember that day on Catalina"
I suppose he meant to highlight
what their choice to attend said
about their priorities, and their
hearts.
Although Brother Thomas
lived on the mainland, he dearly
loved the inhabitants of Catalina
Island. He spoke highly of all
the Avalon taxi drivers, praising
their helpfulness and kindness.
He called the ferry workers his
friends. He prayed for the people
of the Island, desiring happiness
and peace for us all.
And despite declining health,
he traveled here every week. Elder
Thomas passed away on Friday,
June 5, 2015. On May 31, just
days before his passing, he was in
Avalon, overseeing church serv-
ices.
I am grateful to have known this
example of consecrated diligence
and love. Yes, Brother Thomas,
we'll always "remember that day
on Catalina."
Jessica Scofield lives in Two
Harbors with her husband
and infant son. They moved to
Catalina from Lancaster, which is
in northern Los Angeles County.
She has a bachelor's degree
from Brigham Young University
(in Provo, Utah). She double
majored in 1. Psychology and 2.
Home and Family Life. She says
she loves her current job as a
stay-at-home morn.
Elder Roberts Thomas of Long Beach traveled
to Catalina every Sunday to conduct Latter-
day Saint Services on the Island. Courtesy
photo
Mike Forcella strives to succeed on the football field and at CIMC
When Mike Forcelta isn't at his station in the
Therapy Services Department of Catalina
Island Medical Center, he's coaching football
at Avalon High School
In less than a year,
he has streamlined
appointments
BY JUDY HIBBS
"Football is life" and Mike
Forcella, an employee at Catalina
Island Medical Center, embodies
the best qualities mentioned in the
Vince Lombardi quote.
In less than a year Mike has
worked as the hospital's front
desk clerk, housing coordinator
and now begins a new role as
Shows Nightly at 7:30pm
Rated PG- 13
Admission: Adult $15.00, Senior or Child S ] 3.00
Admission: Adult $10.00, Senior or Child 88.00
Every Tuesday $8.00 Admission
administrative assistant and office
support for the Therapy Services
Department.
Forcella, who visited Catalina
on vacation from Clearwater,
Florida, met Earl Schrader in line
at Von's and started talking foot-
ball.
Now almost five years later,
after guiding the Avalon Lancers
Football squad to two consecu-
tive league championships and
several California Interscholastic
Federation semi-final games,
Forcella and Schrader have been
selected as CIF "All Star" coaches
and will lead one of the teams
for this year's eight-man division
All Star game. The game will
be played in Avalon on Saturday,
June 27.
"CIMC is a great place, and it
has a great environment. I love
working here," Forcella said.
He excels at greeting patients
and visitors, assisting callers
phoning in to the hospital, han-
dling residential assignments for
interim or contract personnel and
using his organizational skills and
work ethic to make the Medical
Center a better place to be.
A former college football
player at Belhaven University in
Mississippi and Arena Football
League linebacker, Forcella
worked initially in Avalon men-
toring teenagers through the
Community Church and Singing
Waters Christian Fellowship.
He sings and plays guitar and
was often leading worship for
youth activities or church services.
Medical Center and football now
fill his days.
Schrader, who started the high-
ly successful Avalon High football
program in 1997, will be taking
an advisory coaching role and
Forcella has accepted the head
coaching position at the school.
Forcella approaches work at the
hospital with the same intensity as
game day preparation.
His responsibility for the hous-
ing of up to 18 mainland employees
(14 of whom are nurses) includes
handling eight rental properties
and numerous hotel overnights for
an important part of the hospital's
workforce.
His work in the Therapy
Services Department has already
streamlined and expedited
appointments and referrals.
An avid hiker, Forcella's favor-
ite trail to take is Hermit Gulch.
He hiked it every day for three
months when he first moved to the
Island and loved the challenge and
beautiful scenery.
What's his prediction for
Avalon football in 2015?
Football, Page 7
For More Information Call 3t0-510-0179
6 ! Friday, June 19, 2015 THE CATALINA ISLANDER
