Person Page - 5

     Concetta Dimech was born circa 1898 in Malta; age 31 in 1930 census; age 42 in 1940 census.² She married Anthony Borg, son of (?) Borg, circa 1919; age 21 and 20. Concetta Dimech died on 23 July 1979 at Burlingame, CA, USA.
     Her married name was Borg. She emigrated from Malta in 1921 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. She and Anthony Borg were listed in the 1930 US Census age 32, glue factory laborer; and single sister in law Camela Dimech, 37 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.² As of between 1930 and 1940, Concetta Dimech was also known as Conchetta Borg.³ She and Anthony Borg were listed in the 1940 US Census age 43, wool work laborer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.³ Concetta Dimech and Anthony Borg were listed in the 1950 US Census age 53, leather industry laborer in San Francisco, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 25 July 1979: BORG. Concetta — In Burlingame. July 23. 1979; dearly Betoved wife of the late Anthony Borg; loving mother of Mary Gardner. Grace Gardner. Louise Dale. Charles. Paul. John and the late Prank and Rose Borg; loving sister of the late Carmela Aquilna. Emanuela Sciberra. John and Josephine Dimech. dear mother-in-iaw of Gloria. Liz and Celia Borg. Virgil Gardner. Jack Dale and the late Leonard Gardner; also survived by 16 dear grandchildren and 22 greatgrandchildren; a native of Malta; aged 81 vears.

     Anthony Borg was born on 30 April 1897 in Malta; age 24 in 1920 census; age 32 in 1930 census; age 43 in 1940 census.² He married Concetta Dimech, daughter of Rosario Dimech, circa 1919; age 21 and 20. Anthony Borg died on 16 September 1964 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 67. He was buried on 19 September 1964 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.² He was listed in the 1920 US census of Constantino Aquilina and Gio-Marie Vella in 1920 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 50, widowed, no employment.² Anthony Borg emigrated from Malta in 1921 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. As of 1930, Anthony Borg was also known as Anbtonio Borg.³ He and Concetta Dimech were listed in the 1930 US Census age 32, glue factory laborer; and single sister in law Camela Dimech, 37 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.³ Anthony Borg and Concetta Dimech were listed in the 1940 US Census age 43, wool work laborer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁴ Anthony Borg and Concetta Dimech were listed in the 1950 US Census age 53, leather industry laborer in San Francisco, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 18 September 1964: BORG In this city Sept. 16. 1964. Anthony, beloved husband of Concetta Borg: devoted father of Charles. Paul and John Borg. Mrs. Mary Gardner, Mrs. Grace Gardner and Mrs. Louise Dale and the late Frank Borg: endeared brother of Sam Borg: loving father-in-law of Virgil Gardner. Eugene J. Dale, Gloria, Elizabeth and Arcelia Borg and the late Leonard Gardner. Also survived bv 14 grandchildren; an uncle of Emanuel Borg. A native of Malta; aged 67 years.

     Angelo Muscat was born on 4 April 1901 in Mellieha, Malta.¹ He married Dorothy Karkeet Toupin.¹ Angelo Muscat died on 15 May 1971 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 70.¹ He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta on 24 January 1953 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
Obituary: on 17 May 1971: Muscat, Angelo - In this city, May 15, 1971. Angelo Muscat, beloved husband of Dorothy Muscat; devoted father of Joseph and Raymond Muscat and Mrs. Ida Aquilina; loving brother of three brothers and two sisters; dear grandfather of six grand children; a native of Malta.
Angelo Muscat Ta L'Iskarpan.

     Dorothy Karkeet Toupin was born on 13 April 1912 in Callimut, MI, USA.¹ She married Angelo Muscat.¹ Dorothy Karkeet Toupin died on 27 December 2001 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 89.¹ She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Muscat.¹
Obituary: : MUSCAT, Dorothy L. -- At rest in San Francisco, Dec. 27, 2001. Born in Calumet, MI, Apr. 13, 1912. Preceded in death by her beloved husband Angelo Muscat and her son Joseph (Therese) Muscat, MD. Survived by her loving daughter Ida Aquilina (Fred), and son Raymond Muscat; grandchildren Gerard and Bernadette Muscat, Michael (Suriana) Aquilina, Elizabeth (Steve) Jespersen, Sharon (Gil) Silvas, and Fred (Olga) Aquilina; great-grandchildren Christian and Joshua Jespersen, Sabrina and Bryce Silvas, Marisa Aquilina and Freddie Aquilina. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was an expert and proficient knitter and seamstress who was very devoted to her parish. She took great pride in having been called to sew vestments for the visit of Pope John Paul II to San Francisco in 1987. Member of the Over-55 Club of Our Lady of the Visitacion.

     Dr. Joseph Louis Muscat MD was born on 19 October 1933 in Mellieha, Malta.¹ He married Theresa Anne Bonnici, daughter of John C. Bonnici and Conchetta Vassallo, on 25 June 1960 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Dr. Joseph Louis Muscat MD died on 1 May 1996 at age 62.¹ He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta in 1952 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
Obituary: : At rest May 1, 1996. Beloved husband of Therese; loving father of Gerard and Bernadette; son of Dorothy and the late Angelo Muscat; brother of Ida Aquilina and Raymond Muscat; also survived by many family and friends. Dr. Muscat loved doing God's work. He devoted his life to curing the sick, caring for the elderly and serving all patients with love and kindness. He was a member of the Knights of Malta.
Dr. Joseph Louis Muscat MD.

     Raymond Michael Muscat was born on 19 June 1946 in Mellieha, Malta.¹ Biography Raymond did a lot of volunteer work at the Veterans’ Administration hospital in San Francisco for many years and until his death. He received the “Volunteer of the Year” award for his work from the Maltese Cross Foundation. He also worked with the homeless. He died on 13 January 2016 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 69.¹ He was buried in January 2018 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta on 24 January 1953 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He was educated Bayview Elementary School
St. Boniface Elementary School
Sacred Heart High School. He began military service in 1965 Raymond served in the National Guard from 1965 to 1970. He was stationed in San Francisco. He was a member of the Maltese Heritage Association Maltese Cross Foundation Award in 2011.
Obituary: : Raymond Muscat, born June 19, 1946 in Mellieha, Malta died January 13, 2016 at the age of 69. Son of the late Angelo and Dorothy Muscat. Brother of the late Dr. Joseph Muscat (Theresa). He is survived by his sister Ida Aquilina (Fred) and his nephews and nieces – Michael Aquilina (Su), Elizabeth Jespersen (Steve), Sharon Silvas (Gil), Fred Aquilina (Olga), Bernadette Muscat and Gerard Muscat. He was great uncle to Marisa and Mike Aquilina, Christian and Josh Jespersen, Sabrina and Bryce Silvas and Freddie and Erika Aquilina. He immigrated to America in 1953 and was a lifelong San Francisco resident. He was a Vietnam era National Guardsman and continued his service as a volunteer at the VA – one of many organizations that received his support. Raymond was a caring, generous man with an infectious laugh who touched many people's lives – often lifting them out of despair. His friendships were long and strong and spanned the world. As an advocate for the homeless, Ray received the 2011 Maltese Cross Foundation Award for his tireless efforts in helping others. He could be found throughout the community delivering bread or just offering a helping hand or a compassionate ear. He loved music.
Raymond Michael Muscat Honored by MHS for his military service during the Vietnam War on 18 November 2018.

     Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was born on 26 December 1944 in Naxxar, Malta.¹ He married Marilyn Uran on 19 August 1972 at Unitarian Church, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
     Dr Charles J. Vella PhD emigrated from Malta on 16 June 1950 to New York, NY, USA.¹ He emigrated on 20 June 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
Dr Charles J. Vella PhD Classic chain immigration: Uncles Frank, Manuel, and Joseph Vella were already in San Francisco; and great Uncles Joseph and Albert Vassallo. He ws naturalized at the same time as Angelo Vella on 4 December 1956 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
He was a Franciscan seminarian: St. Anthony's Seminary High School, 1958-1962; St. Luis Rey Mission College, 1962-1967; BA in philosophy; San Miguel Mission Novitiate, 1964-1965; Santa Barbara Mission Theology School, 1967-1968.
Dr Charles J. Vella PhD A proud Conscientious Objecter to the Vietnam War; did 2 years of alternative service at Conard House, a Psychiatric halfway house between 1970 and 1972. He graduated in 1977 at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; PhD in Counseling Psychology.
Starting in 1978, Charlie worked as a clinical psychologist for 10 years; then as Chief Psychologist and Behavioral Manager; He founded the Neuropsychology Service (the first in Northern California Kaiser) and served as its Director until his retirement. Post retirement did mutiple public lectures on brain topics; was a docent at Calif. Academey of Science, specializing in Human Evolution; taught multiple courses at SFSU OLLI program. at Kaiser Hospital, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.
Dr Charles J. Vella PhD Belonged to multiple professional organizations: National Academy of Neuropsychology, International Neuropsychology Society, Americal Psychological Association, NCNF, NEHGS. Charlie and Marilyn have two daughters with doctorates (in clinical psychology and radiology); so there are 3 Doctor Vellas in family; we are very proud parents. As of 1992, Dr Charles J. Vella PhD lived at 354 Sussex St, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; charlesvella@comcast.net.

Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 12 July 1992: San Francisco Medical Center -- Clinical Psychologist (avail. 9/92) - Full-time. Provide brief psychotherapy in an adult psychiatry outpatient clinic and neuropsychological assess; on-call req. Must have Ph.D. and CA license (or eligible). Submit vita and 3 ref. to: Charles Vella, Ph.D., Chief Psychologist, 2350 Geary Blvd., 3rd Fl., SF, CA 94115.

Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 19 January 1997: HEALTHCARE - KAISER PERMANANTE, Psychiatry Department. San Francisco, is looking for --Psychological Testing Technician
Half-time.
Dr Charles J. Vella PhD Major hobbies: mineral collector, stamp collector, genealogist (Houghton Surname Project; Maltese Immigration to the SF Bay Area; ran 5 websites.)

Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 26 October 2006: San Francisco Chronicle:
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 (SF Chronicle)
Gorgeous gourds/A San Francisco psychologist carves elaborate pumpkins in Halloween ritual
Arlene Silverman, Special to The Chronicle

In a cozy family kitchen in San Francisco, a man with a sharp blade is on a mission. The man is Charlie Vella. The mission: to bring ancient history to the common Cucurbita pepo. Vella, whose day job is director of neuropsychology services at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco, is about to carve a handsome 1-foot-tall pumpkin into the likeness of an Egyptian pharaoh.
He is embarking on an annual tradition that started eight years ago, when he and his younger daughter, Maya, now a sophomore at UC Davis, became attracted to the art of pumpkin carving. We're not just talking about smiley jack-o'-lanterns with those goofy triangular eyes. This father-daughter team has carved Harry Potter, Mr. Smith from "The Matrix," intricate African masks, Escher-like Irish knots, the Mona Lisa (whose enigmatic smile comes out just a little different each year), all those presidents on Mount Rushmore, King Tut and that other king, Kong.
Each year, Vella goes to Safeway and buys 10 or so pumpkins at a time. Then he and Maya, working over three or four days, carve 40 to 50 pumpkins. (They once tried to start five days ahead of Halloween, and the first batch "just melted away" before the big day.) When the pumpkins are ready for display on Oct. 31, they are lit from within with votive candles and placed on the porch and stairs in front of
the Vellas' Glen Park home.
Pumpkin carving itself, says Vella, is not difficult, but it does take a good eye for design, including the right combination of foreground and
background, and the proper tools. In addition to using templates found on Internet sites featuring pumpkin-carving ideas, Vella is always on the lookout for fresh ideas. He's found African masks in museums. He's taken designs off T-shirts and Japanese postcards. He generally avoids political subjects (no Osama bin Laden here) but did break his own rule once with a "Vote for Kerry" pumpkin during the 2004 election campaign. All the designs are applied freehand.
Although Vella is carving his Egyptian pharaoh on the kitchen table without his daughter (she's away at college), he and Maya usually carve in the living room while watching one of his large collection of horror films. They start by carefully cutting off the top of the pumpkin and scooping out the seeds and pulp with a wooden scraping tool that Vella made himself. (Disposing of seeds and pulp from 50 pumpkins is no small feat. Sometimes the insides have to be taken to the dump lest the odor scare away trick-or-treaters.) Using small cutting tools -- Vella describes them as "cut-off band saws" -- he cautiously saws away at the pharaoh he has already penciled on, using the inside of the pumpkin as a temporary trash receptacle for the carved-out pieces. The tools are designed, Vella says, so that the carver cuts the pumpkin and rarely himself.
From his biography, the 61-year-old would seem to have been an unlikely candidate as a husband, father and pumpkin artist. Born in Malta and raised in San Francisco's Bayview district when it was a "Maltese-Italian" neighborhood, Vella attended a Franciscan seminary for 10 years. He changed his career path, however, when he met his now-wife, Marilyn, and decided to put his pastoral bent to use as a psychologist, receiving his doctorate from UC Berkeley in 1978.
He says he's had no formal artistic training, although he once "built a pretty nice dollhouse" for his daughters. (Older daughter Lea, who
recently married, is a biostatistician for the Veterans Administration. Marilyn, who is an avid quilter, works at UCSF.) Vella says that he loves his day job at Kaiser. He also loves seeing "piles of kids" -- often as many as 100 -- come by his Sussex Street home on Halloween to see the creations. Like most city folks, he is sad to see that parents' concerns about safety have cut down on the number of trick-or-treaters. Nonetheless, the pleasure that passers-by get from seeing King Kong and Mona Lisa in the same place seems to compensate. And even though the pumpkins last just a few days before they collapse like fainting divas, the cycle will begin again next year. "It's tradition," Vella says, smiling at the finished Egyptian pharaoh, who looks as if he just may smile back.
Copyright 2006 SF Chronicle.

Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 25 March 2007: Letter to editor: "Great article on FTD! I believe public awareness is hugely important and vour article was articulate and compassionate. We diagnose many FTD cases at Kaiser and have a ioint conference with Bruce Miller at L’CSF to help identify FTD cases for him. CHARLES J. Vella, Director, Neuropsychology Kaiser Permanente Medical CenterSan Francisco.


Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was retired in 2009; from the Psychiatry Dept. of Kaiser Hospital, San Francisco after 34 years of work. He was Director of the Neuropsychology Service, which he founded, and a Behavioral Manager II, after having been Chief Psychologist for 24 years. He supervised up to 25 psychologists and 95 postdoctoral psychology fellows.

Dr Charles J. Vella PhD Post retirement volunteer work: California Academy of Science docent in human evolution; public lecturer in neuropsychology for Kaiser Senior Education; Alzheimer's Association; City College Elder Program; taught classes for OLLI at SFSU on the Brain and on Human Evolution in 2009. Research: Secretary of Maltese Historical Society, 2013- in 2013.
Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2013 at South San Francisco, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. He contributed his family's genealogy to MHS in October 2013.

Dr Charles J. Vella PhD was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 20 April 2014.
Dr Charles J. Vella PhD: is the compiler/author of the Maltese Immigration to the San Francisco Bay area database and website in 2015. Research.
Maltese Americans with doctorates.
Maltese Americans who were seminarians or priests Franciscan seminarian for 10 years.

     Marilyn Uran was born on 14 January 1946 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ She married Dr Charles J. Vella PhD, son of Angelo Vella and Josephine Micallef, on 19 August 1972 at Unitarian Church, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
     As of 19 August 1972,her married name was Vella.¹ Charlie and Marilyn have two daughters with doctorates (in clinical psychology and radiology); so there are 3 Doctor Vellas in family; we are very proud parents.

     Angelo Vella was born on 24 April 1927 in Mgarr, Malta.¹ He married Josephine Micallef, daughter of Luigi Micallef and Girolama Schembri, on 13 February 1944 at Naxxar, Malta.¹ Angelo Vella died on 3 April 2008 at San Leandro, CA, USA, at age 80.¹ He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta on 16 June 1950 to New York, NY, USA.¹ He emigrated from on 20 June 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club between 1953 and 2008. He was naturalized on 4 December 1956 at San Francisco, CA, USA. He attended St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church and was listed as a parishoner in 1962. As of 1961, Angelo Vella lived at 1951 Quint St., San Francisco, CA, USA. He was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 20 May 1961: Spice worker Falls Off Train Into Car's Path     -- A department foreman at the Shilling spice plant was critically injured yesterday when he fell 15 feet from a freight car and was run over by a station wagon at Second and Folsom streets. George Powell, 50, of 140 Shakespeare street, fell from the freight car, parked on the company’s loading ramp, directly into the path of an auto driven by Angelo Vella, 34, a metalworker of 1951 Quint street. Powell suffered chest and possible internal injuries and a fracture of the right wrist, according to Patrolman William S. Hardeman Jr. He underwent surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital. He lived in 2008 at 1340 Montrose Dr., San Leandro, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 7 April 2008: Angelo Vella Born April 24, 1927 in Mgarr, Malta, passed away April 3, 2008 in San Leandro, at home, surrounded by his family. The son of Carmello Vella and Maria Vassallo, he immigrated with his family to San Francisco, CA, in 1950. He was a skilled ironworker until he retired. He moved to San Leandro in 1962. He coordinated the Bingo operation at the Church of the Assumption for 30 years and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for their school. He was a consummate gardener, jack of all trades and handyman who helped anyone in need. He was preceded in death by his son Anthony; his daughter Mary Jane; and brothers Frank and Manuel. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Josephine; his brother Joseph; his two sons, Charles (and his wife Marilyn) and Lewis; his son-in-law Howard Mordell; and five grandchildren: Lea, Meisha, and Maya Vella, and Angie and Garrett Mordell.²
Angelo Vella Close friends in early 1950s.
Angelo Vella Angelo would pick up Tom to go play cards at MASC.
Emidio Busuttil Close friends in early 1950s.
Joseph Camilleri Close friends in early 1950s.
Angelo Vella Family nickname: Ta Lahmar (Red.)

     Josephine Micallef was born on 4 December 1925 in Naxxar, Malta.¹ She married Angelo Vella, son of Carmello Vella and Marianna Vassallo, on 13 February 1944 at Naxxar, Malta.¹ Josephine Micallef died on 13 August 2020 at Hayward, CA, USA, at age 94; age 94.
     She was educated 6th grade; had planned to become a teacher but WWII happened.
Teachers hit students hands if misbehaved. Was taught in both English and Maltese. Religion was taught in public school.
Subjects included English and Maltese, math, history (Maltese and World). At home learned to knit from sister at age 5. Josie became a fabulous knitter. She could look at you a knit a perfect Irish sweater in 4 days. Knit many baby outfits for gifts. As of 13 February 1944,her married name was Vella.¹ She emigrated from Malta US Brazil; we had large wooden box which included plant seeds, kid's bathtub; bed mattress, linens); Angelo bribed the inspector!; left NY on train to SF; turned back before Chicago because of weather; Moved in with Angelo's brother Frank Vella on 16 June 1950 to New York, NY, USA.¹ She emigrated from on 20 June 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ She contributed her family's genealogy to MHS on 20 April 2014. She was living on 4 December 2018 in Hayward, CA, USA; A Maltese Elder. She was a Questionnaire:
Occupation: packed 10 lb bags of potatos in San Francisco for 2 years at Berger Co; worked for 12 yeatrs at Spear Co. on sewing machine, then Brampton Co in San Leandro, making plastic coverings; foreman for 5 years.
Belonged to union.
Visited Malta in 1961 and 1984.
Had 4 children and after Tony and Mary Jane passed away, she raised her grandchildren Meisha, Angie, and Garrett.
Obituary: on 16 August 2020: Josephine Vella was born December 4, 1925 in Naxxar, Malta, and passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2020 in Hayward, CA at the age of 94. She was the youngest daughter of the ten children of Luigi Micallef and Girolama Schembri. She survived some of the darkest times in modern Malta, as she slept in bomb shelters for four years during the bombings of World War II. She married Angelo Vella on Feb 13, 1944 in Naxxar. They immigrated with their 3 sons to San Francisco in 1950. Starting in 1955, she packed bags of potatoes as her first job, and then, for 18 years, worked as a sewing machine operator and supervisor. She proudly recounted making trailer truck covers and huge awnings, as she had a strong work ethic. She always belonged to a union. She was a longtime member of the Maltese-American Social Club of San Francisco. She moved with the family to San Leandro in 1962. Her family was always the most important thing in her life, dedicating herself to her four children and then helping to raise three of her grandchildren. Josie rarely sat down, always checking to make sure everyone was ok. She was proud to be Maltese and instilled this in her family through sharing about Maltese history, village festas and farm life as a young child. She was a terrific cook, making great pastizzi, and was an amazing knitter (producing Irish knit sweaters in under a week and knitting an untold number of baby outfits for her family and friends). She loved her home, watching her favorite TV programs, playing bingo, and reading Danielle Steele novels. She was preceded in death by Angelo, her husband of 64 years; her son Anthony; her daughter Mary Jane; and all nine of her siblings. She is survived by her two sons, Charles (and his wife Marilyn) and Lewis; her son-in-law Howard Mordell; five grandchildren: Lea Vella (David Byrd), Maya Vella, Meisha Vella (Luis Cruz-Rodriquez), Angie and Garrett Mordell; and 2 great grandchildren, Noelle and Toby Byrd. We also wish to thank Fily and Richard Gindlesberger for their years of care for our mother.
Due to the Pandemic, a celebration of life will be scheduled at a future date. In Josephine’s memory, enjoy each day to the fullest and share your gifts with others.
Josephine Micallef Ta' Romblo (Wheel Rolling.)

     Lewis Vella was born on 6 February 1946 in Naxxar, Malta.¹ He died on 17 March 2021 at Castro Valley, CA, USA, at age 75.
     He emigrated from Malta on 16 June 1950 to New York, NY, USA.¹ He emigrated from on 20 June 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He began military service in 1966 Lou served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1969, during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was stationed at George Air Force Base. He was in the quatermaster service.
Lewis Vella Honored by MHS for his military service during the Vietnam War on 18 November 2018.
Obituary: on 26 March 2021: Lewis J. Vella was born February 6, 1946 in Naxxar, Malta, and passed away in his sleep at home on Wednesday, March17, 2021 in Castro Valley, CA at the age of 75. He was the second of four children of Angelo Vella and Josephine Micallef. His family immigrated to San Francisco, CA in 1950. He attended Burnett, St. Boniface, and St. Paul of the Shipwreck elementary schools, and then Riordan High School. His family moved to San Leandro, CA in 1962 and Lewis lived in the East Bay from then on. He completed San Leandro High School in 1964. He attended Chabot College for two years and then joined the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1966 to 1969, at Lubbock, TX; Amarillo, TX; and at George Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert, CA in base supply.
He worked for Lakeshore Learning Co. (school supplies), then as a printer for PIP for 3 years, then for Matson Lines, starting in 1977, first as a printer for several years, then as a computer operator for the rest of his career. He never married and retired in 2007. He liked to bowl, play online multiplayer computer games, collect books and movies, and read science fiction. Louie was a warm and friendly man, who loved life, his friends, and his family. He faithfully attended the Vella Family Annual picnic for 65 years and always brought the donuts. . He was quite the conversationalist and had the most memorable booming laugh. For many years he was part of the Vella pumpkin carving crew for Halloween. We will miss his garlic mashed potatoes and his hugs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Anthony, and his sister Mary Jane. He is survived by his brother, Charles (and his wife Marilyn); his brother-in-law Howard Mordell; and his nieces and nephews: Lea Vella (David Byrd), Maya Vella, Meisha Vella (Luis Cruz-Rodriquez), Angie and Garrett Mordell.
Due to the Pandemic, a celebration of life will be scheduled at a future date. In Louie’s memory, enjoy each day to the fullest and share your gifts with others.

     Anthony Felice Vella was born on 25 March 1948 in Naxxar, Malta.¹ He died on 30 October 1984 at Sebastopol, CA, USA, at age 36.¹ He was buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Sebastopol, CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta on 16 June 1950 to New York, NY, USA.¹ He emigrated from on 20 June 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
Anthony Felice Vella were partners from in 1980.
Obituary: on 1 November 1984: VELLA, Antonio Felice — In Sebastopol, Oct. 30, 1984; beloved husband of Shama; father of Meisha and Hari_; also survived by his parents Angelo and Josephine Vella of San Leandro, his brothers Charles Vella of SF and Louis Vella of Castro Valley and a sister Mary Jane Mordell of San Leandro; a native of Malta; age 36 years. [Tony and Shama were partners; Meisha was his only biological child].
Anthony Felice Vella St. Anthony's Seminary.

     Cheryl Morris was born on 12 December 1946 in San Francisco, CA, USA. She died on 27 August 2004 at CA, USA, at age 57. She was buried on 2 September 2004.
     Anthony Felice Vella were partners from in 1980.
Obituary: : Cheryl Wheeler Long-time Sebastopol resident Cheryl Ann (Shama Dasi) Wheeler, 57, died on Aug. 8. A San Francisco native, she was an artist, quilt-maker, model devotee, massage therapist, cook, pianist and quite a comedian. She was the daughter of John (Jack) and Mabel Morris, sister of Eric, mother of ; Devon and Walter Wheeler and Meisha Vella, wife of the late Howard Wheeler, and the late Antonio Vella and proud grandmother to Kartikeya, Ghanashyam and Satyavati Wheeler.

     Meisha Vella was born in Santa Rosa, CA, USA; private.¹ She married Luis Ivan Cruz-Rodriguez on 2 August 2009 at Mexico.¹
     Meisha Vella was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 19 April 1997: A Night to Remember -- Students hold prom for senior citizens •
By Lori Olszewski, Chronicle East Bay Bureau
Jerry Pimentel of Hayward went to the prom last night. He’s 64.
In a fresh twist on the age-old rite of spring, a group of teenagers from southern Alameda County threw a prom for senior citizens from the Fremont-Hay ward area at the Aitken community center in Castro Valley.
“I was excited when 1 heard about it,” said retiree Pimentel, who brought his friend Marrie lssacson as his date. “It’s a nice reversal, for the young ones to be doing everything for us and all we have to do is show up.”
The couple like to go country line dancing at the Moose Lodge in San Lorenzo, but they enjoyed last night’s change of musical pace. The dance floor mood was big band tunes, thanks to the donated services of the Arroyo High School Jazz Band from San Lorenzo. Trombonist Jeff Kwong, an Arroyo junior, was on the prom planning committee.
“1 love that music,” Pimentel said. “Plus, you can’t beat the price at $4 a ticket.” i ne young people wno threw the party for Pimentel and about 80 other elders are all from an after-school youth committee that is under the guidance of Evan Goldberg at the Alameda County Office of Education. The 20 teenagers are involved in a teaching approach called service learning, in which students take part in community service and volunteer work to explore traditional academic areas such as social studies, science and history. For example, students studying an era such as the Great Depression and the effects of poverty and hunger might visit a homeless shelter or volunteer at a food bank.
The prom isn’t directly tied to academics, but in staging it the teenagers hope to break down stereotypes on both sides of the generation gap.
“Senior citizens aren’t all old fogies who go to sleep early,” said Heidi Man? jzar, 17, a junior at James Logan High in Union City who was on the prom planning committee. And “we’re not all the violent criminals the media makes us out to be,” said Christina Fallon, a 17-year-old senior at Robertson High School in Fremont.
Fallon walked Castro Valley Boulevard recently and cajoled numerous businesses into donating door prizes for a prom raffle. Her loot included everything from beauty supplies to her personal favorite, a spay or
neutering donated by a veterinarian.
Maiio Rodriguez, 17, a junior at James Logan,spent much of Thursday night making dozens of chicken enchiladas. The prom menu, supervised by Rodriguez because he used to work with a caterer, included everything from the Filipino eggroll-like appetizer lumpia to Italian pasta in an effort to shov off the students' diverse ethnic heritages. Meisha Vella, 15, a San Leandro High School sophomore, was in charge of buying 180 balloons to complement the white, gold and whe color scheme and the theme “Forever Young.” The youngsters even arranged for prom pictures — Polaroids — for the seniors. The backdrop was a heart fashioned out of white balloons.
The girls chose slinky black as the prom dress color of the night. Vella and her prom plannhg colleagues Jackie Tornio, a graduate of Robertson High, and Geuella Llmau, a senior at Logan, explained that no one cool w*ars the pastel shades of spring that graced proms of the past.
“l’n hoping everyone learns not to draw conclusions about each other based on appearance,” Vella said. She said she has a friend who dresses “Gothic,” in combat boots, dark dresses and a rainbow of hair colors, who encounters some strange reactions from her elders. “1 see her being judged all the time and she’s a really nice person,” Vella said. Tornio said her nose ring also attracts comments. “Older people always say they can’t believe I got it and they want to know if it hurts,” she said. “By the end of the dance, I want all of us, the seniors and teens, together,” Tornio said. As of 2 August 2009,her married name was Cruz-Rodriguez.¹

     Luis Ivan Cruz-Rodriguez was born on 22 February 1981 in Oaxaca, Mexico.¹ He married Meisha Vella, daughter of Anthony Felice Vella and Cheryl Morris, on 2 August 2009 at Mexico.¹ Luis Ivan Cruz-Rodriguez died on 21 October 2021 at UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 40.
      Obituary: on 23 February 2023: Luis Iván Cruz Rodríguez
February 22, 1981-October 21, 2021
Luis was born on February 22, 1981 in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico and died of cancer at age 40 on October 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California. He was the third of six children of Carmen Rodríguez Ramirez and Mario Cruz Lopez. He was preceded in death by his aunt Julia, his grandmother Margarita, his godmother Kathleen and his cousin Enrique. He is survived by his wife, Meisha, his mother Carmen and his 5 siblings: Juana, Mario, Alejandro, Armando and Gabriel; as well as his father Mario. He is also survived by his godfather Bruce, his wife’s family (Charlie, Marilyn and cousins) and his Mixcoatl Anáhuac Aztec dance family.
Luis spent most of his life in his hometown of Oaxaca and at age 26 he immigrated to San Francisco. He grew up fast and learned to help at home. His siblings joked with him that he cooked them his favorite, salsas (sauces) with chorizo or egg or chicharron, but ALWAYS salsas. In his family, he was fondly called Negro (Black). As a youngster, he loved wreaking havoc with his siblings in the yard and picking mangoes fresh from their tree. At 15, he began working as a bagger and loved playing pool with his friends after work. From ages 16 to 18 he was a teacher in two isolated and impoverished communities in his state. He joined this rural program after seeing a commercial, “You can better your tomorrow.” He reflected that it was one of the happiest times of his life; he enjoyed teaching, often road donkeys, herded goats and spent time outside with his students. His deep love of nature and generosity of spirit started early.
Soon after teaching, he began jewelry making and became a silverworker and artisan. He did everything from Oaxacan filigree, to weaving, mounting stones, engraving and even mixed metal work. His love of metal led him to become a passionate welder and forger for over 16 years. Moreover, he was an active and proud union member of Shop Ironworkers Local 790. In early 2020 he was deemed a Master Mechanic in California after finishing a four-year apprenticeship program. It included blueprints, layout, welding code, structural, stairs, railing and ornamental. At work he was called Cruz, as there was always another Luis, but never one like him. He was a mentor and many viewed him as a master craftsman, particularly since he invented numerous tools. Somehow, he even made time for his hobbies of mountain biking and photographing hawks, eagles and hummingbirds.
In 2009, he married Meisha, with whom he shared a profound love for 18 years. Their happenstance meeting was from the movies; they locked eyes on a cobblestone street in Oaxaca and their connection blossomed quickly. They enjoyed many hikes admiring the hawks, cuddling up watching movies, prayers and ceremonies, nights out dancing and wonderful trips. They also savored annual visits to see his family, who Luis loved immensely. He was very close with his siblings and they adored and deeply respected him. Luis genuinely admired his mother: a strong, dignified and deeply spiritual woman. He honored her knowledge and was the only boy in the family that learned her tried and true tamale recipe. He started a tradition in Meisha’s family of making tamales every April; a custom that remains, as he passed down his ancestral wisdom.
Luis was proudly Mixtec, Oaxaqueño, Native American, Mexicano, and often studied about ancient Mexican lifeways. His paternal grandparents spoke Mixtec; however, it was regretfully lost in his father’s generation. In his 20’s he dreamed of starting an indigenous language institute in Oaxaca, which has at least 17 documented Native American languages. In 2008, Luis joined Mixcoatl Anáhuac, a San Francisco based Aztec dance circle, which quickly became the focus of his spiritual life. He frequently attended practices and danza (dance) ceremonies throughout the state with his danza sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was passionate about indigenous oral tradition and learning from his teachers and elders. Not to mention, he created all of his danza regalia from scratch, which involved intricate sewing and feather work. Luis was truly a talented artist and dedicated community member; in danza he was lovingly called Luisito.
Luis was a man of great integrity; for example, if he was going to bring flowers for the Day of the Dead altar he would bring hundreds of them, saying that it was important to truly honor the ancestors with an appropriate offering. He learned integrity from his mother. Luis is remembered as being gentle, kind, reliable, playful, talented, loving, humble, and grounded. He listened deeply with his unforgettable presence and smile that always expressed his care and support. Luis Iván, we deeply love you and miss you and, as you said, you will be flying in the blue sky as a hawk or an eagle. Fly high, our warrior, you will be shining upon us with your radiant love. ¡Mexica Tiahui! Ometeotl.

     Mary Jane Vella was born on 20 May 1957 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ She married Howard Mordell on 18 June 1978 at San Leandro, CA, USA.¹ Mary Jane Vella died on 15 March 2003 at San Leandro, CA, USA, at age 45. She was buried in March 2003 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward, CA, USA.
     As of 18 June 1978,her married name was Mordell.¹
Obituary: on 17 March 2003: MARYJANE J. MORDELL Of Hayward on March 15, 2003. Dearly beloved wife of Howard Mordell. Loving mother of Garrett Mordell of Hayward and Angelique Mordell of Hayward. Dearest daughter of Angelo and Josephine Vella of San Leandro. Dear sister of Dr. Charles Vella, Lewis Vella and the late Tony Vella. She was a member of the Tri-Valley Classic Chevy Club. A native of San Francisco, CA. Age 45 years.