Thursday Obituaries

11/17/05

BRECK, Harry (Yankee)

passed away Nov. 14, 2005 on his 70th birthday. Yankee grew up on the ranches in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley working beside his brother, Leonard Breck, and mother, Barbara Breck, in the bunk houses and beside his father, Harry Breck, running heavy equipment.

Once Yankee could reach the pedals of a car his passion was born. Cars and auto racing became his love and he shared this love with his sons, Danny and Johnny, and his many, many friends.

In 1970 Yankee was hurt racing his stock car at the Santa Maria Speedway. As a result of the accident, he spent the next 35 years in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. He met this challenge with great strength, running a successful trucking and heavy equipment business for 23 years, checking on jobs throughout the county from his van.

Never giving up, always lifting the spirits of those around him with his wonderful sense of humor, befriending all those he met at his many stays in Santa Barbara Rehab and the area hospitals, he was a role model for many younger people who found themselves suddenly confined to a wheelchair.

Yankee leaves behind his mother, Barbara Breck, who was by his side for the past 35 years keeping him healthy and well-fed. He also leaves his sons Danny Breck (wife Debbie Breck) and Johnny Breck (wife Danielle Breck), grandchildren Ashley Breck, Benny Breck, Abby Breck, and Holly Breck, as well as his brother Leonard Breck. No doubt, Yankee is now behind the wheel of a fast car, telling jokes to those on this next journey.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 17, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 at Welch-Ryce-Haider at 15 Sola St. Church services will follow at 10:00 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 21 E. Sola St. Graveside services held immediately following the church service at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.

JONES, M. Darlene

loving friend and colleague to many, passed away November 14, 2005 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 63. Darlene was born on January 2, 1942 in Santa Maria, California to Manuel and Margaret Perry. They, along with her husband Walt Jones and her sister Joanne Garner, preceded her in death. While Darlene did not have children, she is survived by a wide circle of friends (Dorothy Reid and Karen Libby receive top honors), colleagues, and family that she helped raise in one way or another. This also included friends of the four legged variety-cats and dogs, many that she personally saved through her active involvement as both a volunteer and board member of the Dog Adoption Welfare Group aka D.A.W.G.

In her professional life, Darlene served as the Human Resources Manager at St. Francis Hospital and, later, at the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. At the Housing Authority, she did the job of two-Human Resources Manager and Assistant to the Executive Director-where she worked for 27 years until her retirement in October of last year. Darlene helped give the City Housing Authority great spirit as well as the wonderful reputation it enjoys today-be it responding to the AIDS crisis by acting as the developer of Sarah House or meeting the housing needs of very low income seniors, the disabled and families through countless programs and projects. Darlene was always there for the community, the Housing Authority and the Staff. She could be a tough cookie, but there was always that soft center made of love and concern. She is missed and loved by many-more than she knows for she shunned the spotlight and never looked for praise. She was DJ.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 18, 2005, at 10 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 21 E. Sola St. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to D.A.W.G., 5480 Overpass Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93111 or the Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, 808 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider.

MASTRARRIGO, Muriel Grace

a 14 year cancer survivor, ended her battle and died Saturday morning, November 12th, 2005 without pain and in complete peace with a smile on her face. Muriel's two eldest children, Laurie and Neil, were at her bedside recanting mischievous family memories filled with humor and love in her final hour.

Muriel was an administrator for the inmate records division of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Dept. for 25 years until her retirement. Muriel held many interesting jobs in her life, including her little known stint as a Tiara Model, but her main career and focus was being a good and loving mother to her 3 children.

Muriel was married to Louis Mastrarrigo for 28 years and widowed in 1984. She is survived by her 3 children, Laurie Theobald, Neil Mastrarrigo and Julie Jorsling and her 2 grandchildren and her brother Lawrence McQueen and his 4 children and their families.

Born Muriel Grace McQueen in Dundee, Scotland, Muriel immigrated to Canada and then the United States in her early 20's and became a US Citizen in 1962. Although she 100% embraced her new country and life here in the United States, it was her Scottish-ness that made her unique to everyone who knew her and that protected her in life.

Muriel loved good food, experimenting with new recipes, entertaining, improving her home and hard work. Even in retirement she always liked to feel she had "accomplished something" in a day.

Since Muriel's days during the London blitz, when her family's home was destroyed to her travels across rough seas to North America and finally her long battle with cancer it was her Scottish humor, her desire to have fun and her love for a nice "cold one" that kept her going. As they say in Scotland, "let's raise our glasses to a very Bonnie Lass."

Gathering of Family and Friends will be at Goleta Cemetery, 44 S. San Antonio Rd. at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 18th, 2005. Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider.

VASQUEZ, Frank (Frankie) "Pancho"

Born January 3, 1956 in Ventura, California, died peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara, California, on November 13, 2005, with his wife Lori and granddaughter Desiree at his side. He was 49 years old.

Frank and his siblings were raised by his parents, Frank and Rachel Vasquez in Santa Paula, California. He attended and graduated from Santa Paula High School.

In 1973 Frank enlisted in the Army and fought in the Vietnam War. He received an honorable discharge in 1976 and returned to Santa Paula.

In 1994 Frank moved to Santa Barbara, California and married Lori Duncan-Vasquez.

Frank was employed by a moving company based out of Carpinteria, California until May of 1999 when he became ill and subsequently received two liver transplants. Since the transplants he has had ongoing medical problems which resulted in colon cancer. The cancer inevitably took him from us.

He is survived by his father, Frank C. Vasquez of Santa Paula; his sister, Debbie Reyes of Tucson, AZ; his brother, Terry Vasquez of Saticoy and his sister, Linda Gonzales of Oxnard; his sons, Frank, Anthony, Manuel & Robert; his daughter, Monique; his two step-daughters, Kari & Jami; five grandchildren; and lastly, his best friend and wife, Lori.

There are so many people that were involved in the ongoing care for Frank. We would like to acknowledge with our deepest gratitude, The Cedars-Sinai Liver Team, Dr. Julio Diaz & Dr. Joseph Blum, both of Santa Barbara, Alan De Herrera of Goleta Valley Pharmacy, and last but not least, Susanna Dubler, of Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, we couldn't have done this without you!!!!

For his family and friends, a memorial service with be held on Saturday, November 19 at 2pm at Welch-Ryce-Haider, 15 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara.