Obituaries

Tri-Valley Death Notices: Centenarian, WWII Gunner, Pastor

Editor's note: The chronicling of the lives of these individuals, who lived and worked among us. Click on the links to read the full account or to sign the guest book via Legacy.com.


Geoffrey Mapplebeck, 25, a resident of Danville, died Nov. 10 in a car accident. He was a web designer and father to a 5-year-old daughter. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Geoffrey’s life Dec. 8 at Community Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m.

Anthony Angelo Cavestri
, 89, was a lifelong resident of Pleasanton. Tony served as a gunner on a bomber based in England during WWII. He received the Purple Heart after his plane was shot down and he spent three months evading the German Army with the help of the French Underground. Tony is preceded in death by his wife Marjorie, and his daughter, Teri Allen. He is survived by his son Bruce, his son-in-law Vaughn Allen, and grandchildren Brian Allen, Beth Allen, and Taylor Cavestri.

Dr. Jacob M. Bellig, 97, resident of Danville, born to Elwood and Ida Billig in Williamsport, PA. He was married to his wife Charlotte for 69 years. A graduate of San Jose State University and Stanford University, Dr. Bellig was the senior pastor of the Neighborhood Church of Castro Valley for 42 years.

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Jeffrey Alan Craw, 51, grew up in Dublin before moving to Colorado at the age of 29 and became a cattle rancher. He is survived by two sisters.

A. Duane Felton, 82, died after complications from surgery on Nov. 11. He is survived by his wife of 63 years and five children.

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Bennie Lafever Sr., 73, a former Pleasanton resident, died on August 21. There will be a memorial for Bennie on Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. at St. Michael Cemetery in Livermore.

Gene LaRocca, 82, was a resident of Pleasanton and a native of New Jersey. He was a musician and a performer who appeared in Off-Broadway productions. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, whom he met at Fort Dix in New Jersey. They were married for 65 years.

Mildred “Millie” vonKonsky, 100, a resident of Dublin and San Ramon, died on Nov. 8. A teacher for more than six decades, Millie was a leader of the Folk Dance Federation and editor of Let’s Dance magazine. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Millie's life on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. at Holy's Angel's Funeral and Cremation center.at 1051 Harder Road in Hayward.



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