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Fred Sukovitzen – Labor leader, pacifist
Fred Sukovitzen died Sept. 6 of pneumonia at the age of 96. He
was born in San Francisco and lived in Forestville for nearly 58
years. He was raised by Armenian parents who were members of the
Molokan community, a pacifist Christian group that originated in
what is now Russia.
Rather than enlist in the military in World War II, Sukovitzen
wrote a letter to the U.S. War Department, classifying himself as a
conscientious objector.
He was subsequently arrested by the FBI and sentenced to 18
months at McNeil Island Federal Prison in Washington.
After a fight between the prison warden and Sukovitzen over
labor issues — he refused to work as a machinist for three cents an
hour and sign an agreement to not strike — he was placed in
solitary confinement for 10 months.
In 1948, Sukovitzen married the late Doris Sukovitzen, a widowed
mother with two children. The family purchased 20 acres in
Forestville on Martinelli Road, where Sukovitzen built a home.
He worked as a machinist, a tool and die maker and union
carpenter for Local 751 and worked on San Francisco projects such
as the BART on Market Street and the Bank of America
headquarters.
Sukovitzen donated time as a volunteer carpenter making custom
furniture for children with disabilities for organizations such as
the Earl Baum Center of the Blind, Steele Lane annex school, the
Boys and Girls Club of Santa Rosa and United Cerebral Palsy.
Sukovitzen is survived by his son Darrell of Forestville,
stepson Charles Flannery of Los Angeles, stepdaughter Donna Faylor
of Santa Rosa, 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at noon Nov. 8 at the Luther
Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Ave. in Santa Rosa.
James Peter (Sal) Salinas – Active in
community
Sal Salinas died at his home in Sebastopol on Oct. 26, 2008.
Salinas was born April 27, 1936 in Los Angeles, and grew up in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, one of 10 children.
He was a member of the US Navy, and served as a Submarine
Radioman on the USS Rasher.
Salinas was a retired plumber, entrepreneur and business owner
in Sebastopol, and for many years was an active volunteer in
Sebastopol City Government including the Planning Commission and
Chamber of Commerce, as well as a long time board member for the
Sebastopol Sea Serpents.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue and by his son
Michael Salinas and his wife Connie and his daughter Katy Salinas
his grandson Brett Salinas, granddaughters Julene Renee, Summer
Motiska, Aura Glenn and her husband Oliver and grandson Terry
Turchin, great-grandchildren Zoe Renee, Xander Renee, Olivia
Turchin and Sophia Turchin.
He is also survived by eight brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park,
1700 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol Saturday Nov. 8, at 11 a,m.
Donald W. Cabrall – Worked for Ansel Adams
Donald Cabrall, who lived in Sebastopol for 34 years, died Oct.
18 of cancer. He was 81.
He spent his career as an industrial, technical and scientific
photographer. As a young man, he spent his summers assisting
photographer Ansel Adams in Yosemite.
Cabrall enlisted in World War II as a deck engineer in the U.S.
Maritime Service. His older brother died during the Battle of Iwo
Jima in 1945.
Cabrall worked for the Shell Development Co. as senior
industrial photographer from the late 1950s to the 1970s and later
worked for Sonoma State University.
He also owned a custom cabinetmaking company, presided over
several professional photography organizations and was a member of
model railroad associations.
Cabrall is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Cabrall; daughter
Elizabeth Cabraser of Santa Rosa; sons William Cabrall of Colorado
and John Cabrall of Pleasanton; daughters Mary Cabrall of Nevada
and Robi Willin of Santa Rosa; and 10 grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the breast cancer fundraiser www.the3day.org.
Betty M. Arndt – Gardener, bookkeeper
Betty Arndt died on October 23, 2008 in Sebastopol at the age of
87. Wife of Alvin R. Arndt, sister of Robert Nelson (Mabel) and the
late Arthur Nelson (Janice) of Cotati. Aunt of Kim Barker (Steve)
of Reno, NV; Jim Nelson (Michelle) of Penngrove, and Ron Harston
(Sharon) of Sebastopol. Arndt and her husband started their
construction business in the early 50s where she worked as a
bookkeeper for more than 40 years. She loved her garden, sewing,
and family. Private services have been held. Donations can be made
in Arndt’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Marion Schmidt – Always warm and welcoming
Former Healdsburg resident Marion Schmidt died October 8, 2008
in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, where she had lived for
many years. Marion was born June 26, 1921 in Hobart, Washington. 
She married Alaskan gold-miner Harold Schmidt and shared a life
filled with adventure around the Dawson area of the Yukon. In 1949
they bought a ranch outside of Healdsburg where they spent the
winters.
Marion’s husband died on Dominion Creek in the spring of 1969.
She maintained the mining operation under adverse circumstances,
with great determination. In later life, she traveled the world,
hiked the Chilkoot trail, explored ideas, enjoyed square dancing,
cultivated a garden each summer, picked wild berries and fed many
friends and family her wonderful food. She was always warm and
welcoming.
She was loved by many and will be missed. She loved people,
animals, the wind in the trees, the songs and sights of birds. She
forgave error, encouraged learning, loved art and literature, and
treasured beauty. She touched many lives and inspired us all. She
always did her best with what life offered.
Marion was predeceased by her husband Harold and her son Craig.
She is survived by her children Elizabeth Schmidt, Mimi Scoretz,
Stuart Schmidt, and Barbara Drury; her grandchildren Hillary,
Ariel, Michael, Mark, Jemima, Axel, Lupine, Harold, Rose, Tim,
Jenny, Sara, and Ben; and her great-grandchildren Emmett, Arnica,
Stuart, Riley, and Imogen.
Her funeral was in Whitehorse and she was buried in Grey
Mountain Cemetery. A celebration of her life followed with many
friends and family remembering her strength and grateful for how
she touched our lives.
Melba Lorraine Fish Rice – Avid golf and bridge
player
Melba Lorraine Fish Rice passed away peacefully October 25,
2008. Beloved wife and best friend for 66 years of Phillip Rice.
Survived by her husband and their children Don, Shirley, Eric,
Doug, and Bob.
Melba was a world traveler, and will be remembered as an avid
golf and bridge player, with a dry and witty sense of humor. A
celebration of Melba’s life will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church in Healdsburg on October 30, 2008 at 11 a.m. Memorial
donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.