Obituaries for the week of 2/8/17

Leslie E. Androus

Leslie E. Androus was born on July 27, 1944, to Edward Androus and Dorothy Martinetti Androus and passed on Jan. 3, 2017. His son Richard was by his side during his short bout of cancer.

He loved to talk about his stock car racing, which he did in his last year of school. It concluded when he won his trophy, which he proudly displayed. He graduated from Truckee High School in 1962. He then moved to Sierra Valley where he drove logging truck.

In 1965, he joined the U.S. Army and served four years where he attained the rank of SP5. He served in Vietnam and was proud of his tours there. After Vietnam, he returned to truck driving and eventually had his own trucking business.

He is survived by his son Richard (Nada) Androus and four stepchildren. He is also survived by his very special “Aunt Bobbie Martinetti,” his sisters Darlene (Allan) Junk, Loretta (Dennis) Pence and his brother Mel (Dash) Androus. He will be missed by his many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ed and Dorothy Androus, his brother Daryl Androus, sister-in-law Judy Androus and several very special cousins. Les will be forever in our hearts.

A memorial will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, 12 p.m., at the Calpine Community Building, in Calpine.

Robert Leroy Bowman

Bob was born May 10, 1930, in humble beginnings in Laytonville, by parents John Bowman and Olive Bowman. One of the original pioneering families in Mendocino, his great grandparents settled along the Eel River.

Bob moved to San Jose to attend Lincoln High School in 1946, where he met his life-long love, Joyce Call. He was an avid athlete, excelling in basketball, football and baseball.

Baseball became his calling while at Napa Junior College. He was unexpectedly drafted to the Klamath Falls, Oregon, Triple A team, when he accompanied a buddy who was trying out.

Bob and Joyce wed in 1950. Shortly thereafter, Bob was drafted to the Philadelphia Phillies to play right field. With six pitching appearances as a position player, he holds a couple of Major League baseball records. Bob and Joyce traveled extensively for baseball to places like Caracas, Venezuela, for Summer Ball. Son, Bradley, was born and became part of Bob’s entourage.

Bob and Joyce returned to San Jose (Cambrian area), retiring from Major League baseball, adding Sheridan and Jacqueline to their family. Bob became sales manager at Joseph George Distributing, where he worked for 31 years. Both Bob and Joyce were avid volunteers in the community, with Lucille Salter Packard Stanford Children’s Hospital San Jose Auxiliary (Thrift Box on Lincoln Avenue) and Camden High Booster Club.

Bob was an extremely talented handyman and helped build his cabin home next to his high school friends, the Myers family, in Lake A1manor Country Club. There the two families (six kids total) enjoyed year-round activities in the outdoors and made wonderful memories together.

Bob and Joyce entertained tirelessly, stressing the importance of having family over on Sundays and friends flowing through the front door endlessly. He was known for his grilling abilities, as well as cocktail mixes and laughter. He told a good joke and was always classy and caring toward others. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Lou’s Village surrounded by life-long friends and family.

Retiring from Joseph George in 1990, Bob and Joyce built a new home at Lake A1manor. They became very active for the volunteer fire fighters’ Fire Sirens Thrift Shop in the country club. Kids and grandkids visited often, playing tennis, golf, waterskiing, attending Family Nights and cementing more life long friendships. Bob was a great fisherman and golfer. They remained there until Joyce died in 2004. He moved shortly thereafter to The Villages in San Jose, with his furry companion, Russell. He continued to play golf and make new friends in his bridge group. His kids loved having him close by, celebrating birthdays with lively bocce ball games at The Villages.

Bob was a gentle giant who was loved by all. He died in San Jose on Jan. 27, 2017.

He’s survived by his son, Bradley (Diana), daughters Sheridan and Jacqueline and grandkids Daniel, Andrew (Michelle), Ryan, Lindsay, Micheal (Sarah) and Steven.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to Lucille Salter Packard Children’s Hospital. As Bob wished, there is no service, however we’re planning an event in the spring to honor his wonderful life.

Ryan Duncan LeBlanc

Ryan was born on May 31, 1974, in Walnut Creek and grew up in Pittsburgh and Antioch. He died in Twain on Feb. 1, 2017.

Ryan had a very strong connection to children, animals and the outdoors.

His love of all things music began at a very young age and at 13 he first learned how to play the guitar, which then developed into composing his own music as well. Most recently he was learning how to play piano and was also teaching himself to paint and draw.

Ryan was a strong and determined person throughout his life and his faith in the Lord was of great comfort to him.

All who knew and loved Ryan will miss his light and his joyful spirit

Ryan is survived by his father, Roger LeBlanc; mother, Nancy Shea; stepfather, Howard Shea; brothers, Eric LeBlanc, Nathan LeBlanc and Shaun LeBlanc; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 55 Bellamy Lane, Quincy, CA 95971, Saturday Feb. 11, at 3 p.m. An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at www.fehrmanmortuary.com

Chester Lee Vance

Our beloved husband, father, “Papa” and friend passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at the age of 92. He was born June 24, 1924.

After serving in the Army in WWII, he came to Portola to work in his sister’s business and that is where he met Carrie Mae Brandt. They married in January of 1950. Chet changed his career and worked at the local family owned and operated OK Rubber Welders Tire Shop in Portola until it was sold. At that time, he went to work for the City of Portola until he retired. Chet was a dedicated volunteer with the Portola Fire Department for over 50 years. After retirement, he enjoyed helping his son-in-law at the Ramelli Ranch. Other activities Chet enjoyed were tennis, hunting, fishing, making jelly and watching his grandchildren play sports.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carrie Mae Vance, daughter Christine and husband, Kevin Curran, daughter Cherissa (Cheri) and husband Greg McIntire, daughter Rachelle and husband Greg Ramelli, grandchildren, Chelsea, Stephanie, Caleb, Keri, Colby, Alli and six great-grandchildren.

Chet’s memorial service will be held Sunday, Feb. 12, at 1:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge Hall in Beckwourth, where he was a loyal member since October 1950.

Donations in Chet’s memory can be made to any of the following: Portola Jr./Sr. High School (for Athletic Program-Memorial Plaque); Feather River Masonic Lodge #234 (for Scholarship Program); Portola Fire Department (for Equipment Purchases).

Arrangements are being provided by Manni Funeral Home in Portola.