Image Up Advertising & Design

66 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JUNE 2019 | Friends we will miss JACKIE BATTAGLIA, a long time resident of Sun Lakes Country Club passed away in Mesa AZ on April 30, 2019 at the age of 76 and three days. She is survived by her husband Joe of 58 years. Jackie was born on April 27, 1943 in Erie PA. While living at Sun Lakes Jackie was active in many areas. She served as local district delegate, Safety Committee, International Club, EPAP, assumed leadership of the Hawaiian dance class and renamed it the Makua Hula Dancers. She taught the dance classes for more than 15 years, choreographed the dance routines, mixed the music, directed the many Luau shows for residents at Sun Lakes, private functions, civic functions, and what she considered most rewarding for seniors at various nursing homes. Jackie was heavily involved in the Sun Lakes Follies for many years in the capacity of performer, Board member and participating in the shows with her Makua Hula group. Jackie filled many roles for the follies. In 2014 Jackie was elected President of the Follies and director of several very successful shows. She was extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the performers. She would often say after rehearsal time and after the shows were over how she appreciated the help of her co-director Sandy and looked back on what she learned from Ellen. In recent times she would say that some of the best times of her life were when she was at Sun Lakes. Throughout her life Jackie was an entrepreneur at heart. She operated several home based small businesses for several years — Real Estate brochure photography in the early 90s, wood working, exercise and practice leotards, and for several years had a music studio called the Sound of Music Lesson Studio where she taught piano and organ. A memorable moment for her was while attending an exercise class at the Ice Castle in Lake Arrowhead was when she met Michelle Kwan and considered it an honor to make a few practice outfits for her. At an early adult age Jackie was very active in PTA and school functions including fall carnivals, talent shows, plays, etc. In the 1970s she saw an injustice in a new state measure to tax fund raising events for groups such as PTA, Scouts, Little league, All American Football, etc. and was the lead in fighting the taxation. She worked with then California Assemblymen Ruben Ayala and Jerry Lewis and in the 1970s Assembly Bill AB1910 was passed. Articles in the newspaper dubbed it "The Battaglia Bill." Jackie was blessed with the ability, character and tenacity to accomplish most of what she set out to do. WILLIAM RAMSEY LALOR passed away at the age of 87 on Easter Sunday. He is survived by five children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Bill was born in Houston, TX. After completing high school and beginning college, he enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War on the USS Oriskany. Bill settled in California upon his discharge from the Navy, where he lived for the rest of his life. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Cal State Bakersfield and worked for over 30 years for the Naval Weapons Center, in China Lake, CA. He loved sports; coached Little League for almost two decades, coached basketball, and was an avid football, baseball, golf, and tennis fan. After retirement, Bill enrolled in law school and passed California's Baby Bar exam in pursuit of his law degree. During this time, he also served as Mayor of Ridgecrest, CA for two terms. Those who knew him, knew he loved a good debate and would not hesitate to spur one on – especially when it came to politics. He was preceded in death 13 years prior by his beautiful wife, Doris, and a daughter, Heather. Bill and Doris traveled around the United States including Hawaii and parts of Europe playing golf together. His favorite country was Ireland. He moved to Sun Lakes 10 years ago and loved every day of living in this beautiful community. He will be truly missed by all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and his beloved dog, Pepe. JOHNNY MARKOS GROSSMAN, 82 passed away in his home on April 17, 2019 with his soul mate, Beverly Kreider at his side. Johnny was born in San Antonio, Texas but spent most of his early youth in El Paso, Texas. His family moved to Los Angeles where Johnny enrolled in and graduated from Marshall High School. Most of John's life careers were in the grocery business. At 19 he was hired as a manager of a small neighborhood grocery store. After a call from the US Army, Johnny served in Fort Lewis, Washington from 1961-1964. In 1967 Johnny met and married his wife Shirley. Their life together started in Culver City and Running Springs. Johnny's life long passion was a love of cars and engines. He was known to have taken many trophies in his days of drag racing. When Shirley and Johnny moved to Sun Lakes in 2004, John became the founder of "Cruzin Cronies." He proudly showed off his 1966 blue Ford Mustang in the Sun Lakes 4th of July parades. After Shirley predeceased John in 2014, he chose to move into the Fairway Villas. It was here that he met a neighbor named Beverly. A simple invitation to have breakfast together was the beginning of a devoted friendship until cancer took John's life. SHIRLEY M. METZ (NEE FARONE), 80, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at The Lakes Memory Care facility in Banning, CA. She was born on March 28, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio to Salvatore and Maria Farone. She graduated high school in 1957 from the Lourdes Academy in Cleveland, OH. She married Joseph A. Metz Sr. in June 1960. They were married for 57 years until Joseph's death in 2018. She is survived by her sons Michael of Broomfield, CO; Joseph Jr. of Cypress, CA and daughter Robin of Las Vegas, NV; sister Anna Mae D'Amico of Sagamore Hills, OH; brother David Farone of Brunswick Hills, OH, as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and daughter Jennifer.

• Cover