Boehlert, Bill, 71, On May 6, 2020 Bill Boehlert was standing on his paddle board admiring the coastline when he suffered a massive and fatal heart attack. He was no stranger to the Orange County coastline since he was in the class of 1966 at Huntington Beach High School. His father and mother are both deceased. His parents moved his brother's George (deceased) and Mike along with sister Lynne Crezee to the area after years of military travel. Perhaps it was the ability to enjoy new places that put the travel bug into Bill as he sought new adventures and places to surf. During one of Bill's travels he met Cecile, the love of his life who he was married to for 43 years. They shared a passion for travel that took them on an around the world adventure early in their relationship. Bill and Cecile's love for travel continued the rest of their lives and into their retirement. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, "class of 70" Bill chose The Huntington Beach High School system to begin his career. After several years at Edison High School he transferred to Oceanview, where he taught Spanish until his retirement in 2005. He also coached in the surf and volleyball program. Their two children Elyse and Andrew were like their father "Oilers" before going off to college. Andrew and his wife Mischelle's first child, Charlotte Sangma arrived on Sunday, May 17, 2020 to bring joy to the family. Bill would have been a dotting grandpa for sure. Elyse and her husband Bryan live in San Diego. Bill was an outdoorsman for his entire life, engaging in skiing, extreme cross-country winter skiing, surfing, windsurfing, cycling, backpacking and fishing. He spent many hours in his prized garden attending to his beautiful flowers, citrus trees and koi pond. He was president of the Long Beach Fly Fishers. He traveled with his family to fish Alaska and Baja CA yearly. One would wonder if while traversing the shore on his board, if Bill didn't have the feeling of a full life well spent. He touched us all. His big smile and presence will be missed.

 

Camasta, Joseph Ralph, 85, passed away on May 3, 2020 at his home in Huntington Beach. He fought bravely against prostate cancer for the two years prior to his death. Joe leaves behind his wife of 24 years, Carol, and his four children, Tim Camasta, Tony Camasta, Todd Camasta and Tisa Moore-Block. Joe also had two step-daughters Kristen Clark and Brenda Fiola, and was blessed with seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Joe's older sister, Dorothy Dees preceded him in death in June of 2015. Born in Chicago, IL in January of 1935, Joe traveled to California by train with his family as a young boy. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Los Angeles. He continued his education and graduated from West Coast University, School of Engineering Los Angeles earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. As a young man, Joe served in the Navy Reserves "Lighter than Air" (blimp) Division. Joe was employed as a design engineer at McDonnell Douglas, Aerojet, Xerox, Ford Aerospace, Loral, and Lockheed Martin from where he retired in June of 1997. Joe had many interests in his life including skiing, tennis, swing dancing, billiards, sailing, making raviolis, assembling 3D wooden puzzles, and most importantly, spending time with family. He was known for his energetic spirit, wonderful smile, friendly nature, passion for life, and for giving the best "hugs" ever. Joe accepted Christ as his Lord & Savior earlier this year and is now with his Heavenly Father.

 

Di Paolo, Pasquale Ascenzo (Pat), 77, went home to our Lord on May 12, 2020. Rejoicing in union with his beloved mother, father, Nonna & predeceased relatives & friends. Pat was born on May 14, 1942 in Cansano Italy, a small hill town in the Abbruzzi region. At 12 years old he attended a Seminary school of Scolopian priests in Naples (Collegio Landriani). In 1956 Pat & family immigrated to the US. They sailed from Naples to New York on the "Andrea Doria". The family settled in Lawndale, CA where he attended Leuzinger High School. He spoke no English but picked it up quickly with the help of a kind, Italian-speaking teacher, Mrs. LoPresti. Pat continued his education at El Camino College, Cal State University Long Beach, Ball State University-Germany, National University San Diego MS Special Education. In 1971 Pat's first teaching assignment was at Edison High School, Huntington Beach. Pat started the soccer program, was head coach & designed the goal posts so they could be used for soccer & football. In 1973 Pat went overseas with "Department of Defense Overseas School System". From 1973-1977 at Kaiserslatern American High School, Germany. 1977-1988 at Naples American High School, Italy. Pat returned to California in 1991 and taught "Special ED" at Rossier School, Garden Grove. His last teaching assignment prior to retirement was El Toro High School, Lake Forest, CA where he taught Industrial Arts, Math, & CAD. Pat was a dedicated teacher with a giving spirit. He spent countless long days & weekends in his classroom preparing lesson plans that would be sure to engage and inspire his students. He recently encountered a past student who recognized him. The student called out to him and said, "Mr. Di Paolo, I'm an Architect today because you inspired me to be an Architect." Pat was active with several charities and had a heart for people in need. He often went to LA Garment District and purchased clothes in bulk that he would distribute to homeless shelters & encampments. He was active with "The Catholic Worker" until his health no longer allowed. Our hearts are broken! We are inspired by his generosity of spirit. We that knew and loved him will honor him by attempting to live up to his example.

 

Lunney, William Gaylord, 92, On September 7, 2019, passed away peacefully at his home in Huntington Harbour at the age of 92. Gaylord was born May 30, 1927 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Growing up during the Great Depression, he began working at a very young age and eventually discovered his passion for customizing unique metalworks and fabrication in the custom car world. After serving in the Merchant Marines and opening up his own shop, he was soon drafted to the United States Army. Upon returning home, he found his niche building custom chopped padded tops and doing custom upholstery, which included orders from several movie stars. Primarily self-taught, he would soon become known as the "Tuck and Roll King" of upholstery for his custom car builds. There was a good chance you'd win a trophy if you had a "Gaylord" interior in your custom car! In 1957, he married his beautiful wife, Shirley, whom he met while she was carhopping. Gaylord and Shirley had many friends with whom they socialized often. They loved their get-away place on the beach in Baja. A good time was always had in their company! Gaylord later designed and built the "Gaylord" flat-bottom boat which also came with his signature tuck-and-roll upholstery. In 1964, he designed and built the first fiberglass Tonneau cover for El Caminos, then branched into truck lids and customization which was taken over by his son, Bill, upon his retirement. Gaylord was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and his stepson Richard Haller. He is survived by three daughters, Vicki Resch, Joni Slayton, Sandra Rosas, his son, Bill Gaylord Jr.; ten grandchildren: Dena, Craig, Derek, Devin, Dylan, Raquel, Regina, Rocky, Reese, Riki Lynn and three great grandchildren: Ireland, Riley and Cooper. Gaylord, loved by all who knew him, will be greatly missed, but his legend will live on.

The Huntington Beach News does not charge to run obituaries, but they may be edited to conform to our policies and are of current or former residents of Huntington Beach, have a connection to Huntington Beach or services that are held in Huntington Beach.

 

  Huntington Beach News