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Ray Parnay – Dedicated life to education
Ray Parnay was born in Berkeley on Oct. 29, 1928, and raised in
San Jose. Living through the Great Depression in a family that had
little cash left after the rent was paid, he learned the virtues of
hard work early in life. From the 7th grade through college he
spent virtually every summer working in the fruit harvests and
canneries. Spring vacation was spent working for a florist, and the
better part of 12 Christmas vacations as a postal employee.
Planting lawns and working part time at a drive-in theater in the
evenings during the college years, he paid his way through
school.
Parnay earned BA degrees in natural science and elementary
education from San Jose State University and began his teaching
career in 1953. He married his wife Arlene in 1958 and both worked
in Alaska before moving to Sonoma County.
He was dedicated to public education, and served in many roles
as an educator in California and Alaska.
From 1963 to 1982, Parnay was Superintendent/Principal of the
Forestville School District, where all three of his children
attended. He was known as a “principal with principles” who was
fair and friendly, but who had high standards and expectations for
himself, his staff, and the children.
He was an avid gardener and known for his gigantic tomato
plants. Parnay enjoyed many hobbies including various types of
sports, fishing, fly-tying, nature study, Bridge, photography,
cooking, backpacking, and aviation. He loved classical music and
was a voracious reader and history buff.
In later years he was active with the Sonoma County Horseshoe
Pitchers’ Club and bowling.
Parnay loved animals, and he and his wife had several German
Shepherds over the years.
Parnay is survived by his wife, Arlene; daughter Tamara and her
husband Jeff and their children Nairie and Ahri; son Dana and his
partner Autumn; and son Stefan and wife Kathy and their children
Angela and Emily.
A celebration of Parnay’s life to be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Forestville Elementary School
multipurpose room at 6321 Old Redwood Highway, Forestville.
Hazel J. (Maggie) Brown – Survived by second husband of
42 years
Hazel Brown died after a 7-year affliction with Alzheimer’s
disease, spending the last five years in nursing homes. She was
born on Jan. 8, 1925 to Claude L. Huff and his wife Florence. She
had four sisters and a half-brother. She is survived by a sister,
Geraldine, who resides in North Carolina. 
Brown graduated from Hampton High School. She was preceded in
death by her sisters Bernice, Shirley, and Thelma.
Brown was married to Al Tronti for 25 years. She is survived by
her second husband of 42 years, Roger Brown. She is survived by her
half-brother Jack Parks, who resides in Houston, children from her
first marriage; daughter Jeannette Sarra, and son Victor Tronti;
and grandchildren Jenna Tronti, Cara Tronti; Adam Puchalski and
Mark Puchalski. She resided in Reno, NV; Lake Tahoe; Carson City,
NV; Phoenix, AZ; San Jose, CA; Santa Rosa, and McKinleyville.
William A. Clark – Korean War veteran
William Clark died June 5, 2008. He was a Korean War veteran,
and received a Purple Heart. Graveside Services with military
honors for Clark will be held Friday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. at
Pleasant Hills Memorial Park, 1700 Pleasant Hill Rd.,
Sebastopol.
Alton “Mickey” McCracken
Alton “Mickey” McCracken passed away in Windsor on November 11,
2008. He was the dearly beloved husband of Donna McCracken of
Windsor; loving father of Mick McCracken and his wife Joan of
Windsor, Julie Chalk of Santa Rosa, and Sandy Sheldon and her
husband Rick of Santa Rosa; adored grandfather of Shaun, Brian and
Scott McCracken, Sophie and Vaughan Sheldon; dear brother of Nancy
Shultz of Santa Rosa, Diane Long of ID and Carol Bradley of Palo
Alto. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
A native and life long resident of Sonoma County, he was 75
years old. Mickey served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean
Conflict. He was a member of the American Model Association he
enjoyed organic gardening, hunting and fishing, but what he really
loved was going to slot tournaments in Reno. He will be greatly
missed by his family and friends. The family would like to thank
Heartland Hospice for their love and kindness.
Private interment at Shiloh District Cemetery. If desired,
donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society,
1451 Guerneville Rd. #220, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.
Rosina MacDevitt
Rosina MacDevitt passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 16,
2008 in Santa Rosa. She was the beloved mother of Tom (Cathy)
MacDevitt of Santa Clara & Ken (Brenda) MacDevitt of San Mateo.
Sister of Marian Swanson of Murphy, CA, grandmother of Brooke,
Andrew, Tommy & Matthew, and is also survived by many extended
family members.
Rosina was born in San Francisco and lived in Windsor for over
20 years. She was employed with the Santa Rosa Planning Department
for 12 years and retired in July. Rosina was an avid bridge player,
reader, a great listener and an avid C-Span watcher.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service,
Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Eggen & Lance Chapel.
Memorial donations may be made to MoveOn.org or the Nate Bologna Baseball
Scholarship at U.S.F.