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Born on May 19, 1961, in Port Arthur, Texas, to the late Lieutenant Colonel William R. Collins and the late Carrie L. Dudley Collins. From the beginning, Greg brought light and joy to everyone he met. On May 27, 1981, Greg answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. During his service, he worked diligently to support his unit and embody the values of honor, courage, and commitment. His time in the Navy was a testament to his dedication and love for his country. Greg was honorably discharged on May 26, 1985, marking the end of his formal military service, but his pride in being a veteran remained with him throughout his life. On October 20, 2006, Greg married Diana Bennett Buggs. Although they later separated in April 2016, Greg cherished Diana’s daughter and grandson as his own and held fond memories of their time together. Gregory was a man who radiated joy. He loved God, his family, and the simple pleasures of life. A diehard Lakers fan, Greg’s passion for basketball was as strong as his love for the beach and the occasional indulgence in a good beer. Anyone who met Greg couldn’t help but be captivated by his humor, his kindness, and his infectious smile. In 2015, Greg’s life changed dramatically after a devastating car accident that triggered early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the challenges that followed, Greg maintained his faith and positivity. When he found himself in a VA homeless shelter in 2016, the only name and number he could remember was that of his cousin, Ruby Felton. This began a nearly 10-year journey together, during which Ruby’s unwavering love and dedication became a lifeline for Greg. With the help of the VA and dedicated social workers, Greg was able to live independently for several years until the pandemic in 2020 necessitated his move to a nursing home for his safety and well-being. Even then, Ruby continued to support Greg, staying in frequent contact with him and the nursing home staff, attending treatment team meetings, FaceTiming every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and visiting him regularly from Alabama to California. She made sure Greg felt loved, cared for, and remembered by sending him lunch every other Friday via DoorDash and celebrating special occasions with him, no matter the distance. Over the last year of his life, Greg’s condition declined significantly, as is common for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease. In its final stages, the disease often robs individuals of their ability to communicate, recognize loved ones, and perform basic functions. Despite these challenges, Greg’s spirit of gratitude and faith remained a testament to his resilience. His frequent declaration, “I’m blessed,” was a reminder of his unshakable positivity and deep faith. Gregory Keith Collins passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and faith that will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. His life was a testament to resilience, joy, and the power of connection. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

William Lavern Smith (Bill) 94 of Huntington Beach California, passed away on Sunday Oct 6, 2024, in Newport Beach, Ca. Bill was born in Wyandotte County Kansas to Hollis and Lena Smith on May 31, 1930, Bill went to H.S at Wyandotte H.S. in Kansas City Kansas and graduated in 1950.  Bill served our country and enlisted in The United States Airforce in 1951 where he exceled at being a Radar Tech and served overseas in Japan and Korea. He received an honorable discharged in 1955 with a Rank of Staff Sargent. Bill fell in love and Married Elizbeth Smith from Kansas City KS in 1957.Bill went on to earn a BSEE degree in Electrical Engineering from Kansas University in 1959.After moving to Santa Monica Ca, He continued his education in Computer Science, Digital design, and signal theory in communications At UCLA AND UCI from 1961 to 1969.During this time He and Beth were raising 3 children. In September of 1959 he entered into the MacAuto division of McDonald Douglas as a Network Engineer and retired from Douglas after 34 years. During his time at Douglas Bill and Beth had bought a home in Huntington Beach, Ca. and had 3 more children. Bill enjoyed Bowling, Scuba diving, coaching sports, Building Kites, Reading, He also learned Mors code and was in an amateur Radio club. Bill was also a mason in his younger years and was involved in countless other clubs throughout his life. Bill went back to school and got his CISCO Certification at the age of 81. He received multiple honors, trophies and awards throughout his life. But Bill would say the best accomplishment in his life would be his family and the endless pursuit of Knowledge.  Bill would continue to be a student his entire life as well as a Mentor to many. William is survived by his daughter Kathy Smith of Huntington Beach, Son, Sean Smith of Huntington Beach. Son, Danny Smith of Anaheim, Daughter, Ann Smith of Huntington Beach. Sister Mary Newby. Grandchildren, Caitlyn Smith, Hayden Smith, Ryan Spellins, A.J. Spellins, Jasmin Holbrook, Hailey Holbrook, K.J. Holbrook. He is preceded in death by his Wife Elizabeth Backus Smith, Daughter Susan Smith, Son David Smith, Brother Ted Smith, Brother Fred Morche, Granddaughter Whitney Lynn William’s service was held on Saturday October 19, 2024, at 10 am at Heritage Dilday, 17911 Beach Blvd. Huntington Beach, CA.

Our beloved dad, Dr. Bao  Duc Quach 89, of Fountain Valley, California, peacefully passed away on Monday, September 16th, 2024..  Born on Jun 4th, 1935 in Hanoi, Vietnam. We find comfort in knowing that Dad’s legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared and the memories we will cherish forever.

Cynthia Louise (Becker) Kuntz died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in Huntington Beach on August 26, 2024. She was born in Rahway, New Jersey on October 30, 1953, the daughter of George and Mildred Becker. She was 70 years old at the time of her passing. She met her husband David on January 1, 1971 and they married on September 11, 1976. They lived in their hometown of Colonia, New Jersey. Together they had three wonderful children. In 1985 the family moved to Orange Park, Florida and later in 1988 they relocated to their current home in Huntington Beach, California. She is survived by those who loved her as much as she loved them: her son, Brian Christopher Kuntz, his wife Alyda, and their two children Kourtney and Ashley; and by David Randall Kuntz of Huntington Beach; and by her daughter Kimberly Diane Doyle, her husband Thomas, and their two children Madeline and Thomas of Prince Frederick, Maryland. In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her sister Barbara Fitzgerald of Mocksville, North Carolina, her nephews, Warren (Buddy) Hulick, and James Fitzgerald; and by nieces Gary Lee Savage, and Barbara Jo Allsopp. Cindy graduated from Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey in 1971. She attended Middlesex County College to study Business before taking on professional administration roles in Central New Jersey at Kirsch Company and later at Midlantic Bank. She worked as a school administrator for the Ocean View School District for fifteen years before retiring in 2011 to become “grandma’s daycare” following the birth of her first granddaughter in Huntington Beach. Cindy was a loving mother to all her children and their friends and always put family first. Together with David, her husband of 47 years, they had traveled the world extensively and she was always looking forward to the next trip. She was an active member of several running clubs in Southern California and loved to be a cheerleader for runners everywhere. In keeping with her wishes, there will not be any services or end-of-life celebrations.

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, Ronald (Ron) Gallego, loving brother, uncle, and friend passed away just shy of 61 years of age in Santa Ana, California. Ron is survived by his brothers Ric and Randy, niece Jaszmine, great nieces, cousins, friends, and dog Chloe. Ron was born on April 10, 1963 in Inglewood, California to Robert and Bea Gallego. He grew up in West Covina, CA and graduated from Nogales High School in 1981. Since childhood, Ron’s passions were health and fitness, body building, martial arts, and the beach where he loved spending time. Ron’s career spanned a variety of professions from fitness instructor, to male review dancer and model to restaurant server, hairdresser, cosmetology industry sales rep, and entrepreneur. The common thread among all Ron’s pursuits was his ability to relate to people from all walks of life. Although known to family and friends as a fun-living, Ladies’ Man who could be ridiculously competitive, he was also a man of faith who liked to share his love of God and Christianity with anyone who would listen. Family was also important to Ron who embraced a Papa-like role with his niece and grandnieces as well his mother in her final years as her primary care giver. He had a sentimental heart and often reminisced about childhood family gatherings and holiday celebrations. The beaches of Southern California were Ron’s happy place where he loved to relax and felt close to God. His spirit lives on in the majestic waves, tranquil ocean, and loving hearts and minds of those who knew him. May he rest in peace with God as he reunites with his parents, eldest brother, and loved ones in eternity where the stars meet the sea.

Kenneth O’Brien “Kobby” GILLESPIE, died peacefully December 12,2023 Stanton, CA. Aged 61 years young. Born January 25, 1961 in Orange County to loving parents Norman Worley & Patricia Sue (dec’d). He is the loved brother of Christina Mae (nee Gillespie) & brother-in-law Xavier Hermosillo. Loved Uncle & Great Uncle. Kobby never married, coming close three times, and though not having his own children he loved all children. He was also very sentimental. Kobby in his Jr. year at Magnolia High School, Orange paid him to teach woodwork to adults, then his Sr. year saw him a table tennis champion. After graduating he started a mini truck club with his 4×4 Toyota pickup. One of his many achievements was his truck featured on the front cover of Trucking Magazine. His closest friends, Farrah & Leb Alameddin & Cindy McKinnon loved him like a brother, knowing the very comical side to this young man. A manmade master of all jobs, a perfectionist is a small understatement of Kobby. He will be truly missed by his family, many many friends & those that had the pleasure to know & love him, he will never be lost as he is buried in our hearts.

Itsuye (Tsubochi) Hirst went by the name, “Peggy,” because she and her siblings, as Nisei (2nd generation) children, served as a bridge between their non-English speaking Issei (1st generation) parents and the American social order of the early 20th century. Peggy lived a full, eventful, and long 101-years.  Peggy passed peacefully and comfortably on 14th February 2023 at her home in Seal Beach, California. She was born on 31st August 1921 from humble beginnings in San Pedro, California as the first-born child to her mother, Ito (Kitagaki) Tsubochi, and father, Chozo Tsubochi. She was blessed with four siblings Tsuneo “James” Tsubochi, Mihoye “Betty” (Tsubochi) Higgins, Tayeko “Tye” (Tsubochi) Ray, and Yoshino “Alyce” (Tsubochi) Toyama. Peggy and her siblings grew up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula of Southern California, where their  close-knit family was one of forty families who were sharecropper-farmers and grew crops on 2,000 acres of fertile land. During their childhoods they worked hard on the farm and enjoyed family time at the nearby scenic beaches for fishing, abalone-diving, octopus hunting, periwinkle foraging, and picnics. Peggy outlived her two husbands, Yasutoshi “Yas” Okuji, the father of her sons and whom she wed in November 1941, and Louis “Lou” Hirst, wedded in February 1972. As well, she was predeceased by her above-named four siblings; an infant son “Baby Okuji;” brother-in-law Tadashi Okuji; sister-in-law Tomoe Okuji; and step-son Robert Hirst. She is survived by sons Dennis Okuji, Michael Okuji, David Okuji; daughters-in-law Lilit Mazmanyan, Cindy (Sakata) Okuji; step-daughters Janet (Hirst) Henderson, Kathy (Hirst) Roberts; step-daughter-in law Linda Hirst; grand-daughter Kelli (Okuji) Wilson; grand-son-in-law Landis Wilson; great-grand-daughter Olivia Wilson; and numerous Tsubochi nieces and nephews. Peggy graduated from San Pedro High School, after which she soon married Yas to start their young lives together in Los Angeles, California. Peggy always had a ready smile and carried an underlying toughness, which prepared her for life’s uncertainties. “Strength through Smiles” can best describe Peggy’s steely grit and resilience for the hardships she endured in her 101-years. In 1942, during World War II, Peggy, Yas, and their parents and siblings were forcibly moved from Los Angeles and interned in Heart Mountain, Wyoming for two years under Presidential Order No. 9066. During these difficult years Peggy started her family with the births of two sons and a third who did not survive childbirth. Family photos show Peggy smiling from the joy of her new sons, while enduring the monotony of confinement. Upon release from Wyoming, Peggy and her family returned to Southern California and rooted in Long Beach, California where she bore and raised two more sons. Tragedy struck again in 1965 when Peggy unexpectedly lost both her husband, Yas, and her second son, Victor, within seven months of each other. Surmounting grief in mid-life, Peggy was thrust into the role as a single, working mother as a grocery clerk for Atlantic Farms and Cole’s markets in the Long Beach area. Although tired after a full day of work, Peggy always returned home with her smile. A few years later, Peggy joined a bowling team, with Lou Hirst as one of her team-mates. One thing led to another and soon they became married life-mates. Approaching retirement age, Peggy and Lou purchased property in Oregon where they could establish a life of travel as snowbirds. In 1972 they fulfilled their plan, moved to Beavercreek, Oregon, and also established a winter residence in Vincete Guerrero, Baja California, Mexico. Thanks to the early days of satellite TV technology, Peggy was able to regularly watch her beloved Portland Trail Blazers. During these care-free years Peggy and Lou enjoyed plenty of travel adventures in their recreational vehicle with sightseeing, fishing, and communing with friends and family. However, this period of bliss was disrupted when a gas-leak in their recreational vehicle ignited and exploded causing Peggy and Lou to suffer serious burns. They were air-lifted from Mexico to a burn center in Los Angeles, where Peggy underwent three months of care, rehabilitation, and full recovery. Despite the seriousness of her experience, Peggy never shared the pain and suffering she endured. Instead, she remained steadfast with her gracious smile. In 2000, and again unexpectedly, Peggy lost her beloved husband, Lou; after which she moved back to Southern California to be closer to her family. Upon her return, Peggy kept busy with watching NBA basketball, joining a competitive table tennis team, and junkets to the local tribal casinos. Peggy will always be remembered for her fastidious memory (she remembered everyone’s birth, graduation, and anniversary dates) and her love of nature’s beauty (the colors of flowers, foliage, and sunsets), the Portland Trail Blazers, singing, dancing, cooking, cake-baking, knitting and crocheting, Hershey Kisses and butterscotch candies, and ICE CREAM (although she did not partake in any other dairy products). Of course, Peggy will be remembered for her “strength through smiles.” In her final years as the sole remaining sister, Peggy would often ask, “Why am I still here?” On 13th November 2022 her question was finally answered when she was presented with her one and only 3-month old great-grand-daughter, Oliva, who shares Peggy’s August birth week and more importantly shares her joyful smile. Through Oliva, Peggy’s “strength through smiles” will continue onward. Peggy’s celebration of life remembrance will be held privately with family members at sea in Los Alamitos Bay on Saturday, 25th March 2023. To honor Peggy’s love of nature’s beauty, donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy.

Dennis Okuji, a consummate visual artist, died on March 2, 2023 at his long-time home in Long Beach, CA after a short illness. He was 80. Dennis worked as a research analyst at the Long Beach Public Library for 25-years. He preferred the public library over a university research library because the quiet surroundings gave him the independence and solitude to delve into his passion for painting, drawing and wood-block printing. He seemed to change mediums every five-years. Prior to his library stint, Dennis used his design talent in the fast paced world of commercial art at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO and the Los Angeles Times (newspaper) art department. Upon retirement, he soon expanded his interests to photography, calligraphy, coin and firearm collecting. He could often be found driving fast down Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down in his candy-apple red Pontiac Firebird. Dennis was an enthusiastic traveler who brought whimsy to his trips to Las Vegas, Santa Cruz and San Francisco to visit family. He was so thrilled to visit Napa Valley for his niece Kelli’s wedding at Meadowood that he bought a swanky new suit, shirt, tie, shoes and a pocket square for a bit of panache . . . a special flair for such a frugal kind of guy. Dennis Masao Okuji was born January 21, 1943 in the Heart Mountain, Wyoming relocation camp during World War II to Itsuye (Tsubochi) and Yasutoshi Okuji. He showed so much artistic talent at Long Beach Polytechnic High School that his teachers arranged for him to receive a scholarship to the Parsons School of Design in New York City. In an early show of his independent bent, Dennis eschewed the scholarship and remained close to home to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Long Beach State College (now California State University, Long Beach). He later earned his Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from the University of Southern California. Dennis served in the Army as an infantryman deployed to Viet Nam where he saw combat action and volunteered to jump out of airplanes as a paratrooper. He regularly traded stories on Army life with his uncles Raymond Toyama and Tadashi Okuji. On his return flight from Tokyo, he remembered being bumped-up to a first-class seat where he shared a row, wine and stories with the film actor E.G. Marshall. In retirement, Dennis continued to live a fiercely independent life where he even drove himself to the hospital for surgery. He lived his entire life on his own terms, created beautiful art, was content in solitude and passed peacefully. A life well lived. Dennis is survived by his younger brothers Michael and David, sisters-in-law Lilit Mazmanyan and Cindy (Sakata) Okuji, niece Kelli (Okuji) Wilson, grand-niece Olivia Wilson, and many Tsubochi cousins. Private services will be held at sea in Los Alamitos on March 25, 2023. Memorial donations in Dennis’ honor may be made to the Room to Read literacy program for underserved children.

November 29, 1953 – January 1, 2023 Christine Anne Haapala Oosdyke entered into eternal life on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Beloved wife of Robert (Bob) Oosdyke. Cherished mother of Lauren (Levi) Storms and Brett Oosdyke. Dear sister of Bill (Nancy) Haapala, Therese (Derek) Marshall, the late Robert Haapala, Eric (Debby) Haapala, Steven (Debbie) Haapala, John (Peggy) Haapala, and Margaret (Michael) Kurpiers. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and will be an angel-grandmother to her first grandchild, a boy, who will bring comfort to her family when he is born this month. Christine was born November 29, 1953 in Joplin, Missouri, where she had a wonderful childhood with her many siblings. In 1958, the family moved to Michigan, where Chris attended Precious Blood Grade School and Our Lady of Mercy High School. She went to college at Michigan Technological University and graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing, MI in 1973. She worked in critical care and burn units at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI and Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. While living in Grand Rapids, Chris met Bob, and they enjoyed many summer weekends at the marina and sailing up the coast of lower Michigan on Bob’s boat, Big-O. In 1983, Chris joined Support Systems International (Hillrom) as a sales rep and moved to Chicago, where Bob had accepted a job with Herman Miller. Chris and Bob married in 1985 and eventually made their home in Southern California. Chris rose to stellar heights in her sales director career, yet she remained humble and graciously mentored others along the way. Chris was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, sister, and daughter. She truly enjoyed family time together, whether it be vacationing in Hawaii, skiing in Colorado, or watching Lauren and Brett play basketball. She often traveled to Michigan to spend time with her large extended family. And she was a loyal friend to many. Chris loved working out and organizing anything and everything. She had a wonderful sense of style and loved shopping for clothes and household décor. She loved a great Nordstrom fashion find, a good Starbucks latte, and all things chocolate. Christine’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 7 at 10:00 am at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church, 22082 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688.     In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes are suggested to Wendy Walk Foundation (https://www.wendywalk.org) in support of sarcoma research.