Architect and former Arcadia Planning Commissioner Robert Hale (Bob) Daggett died on his 73rd birthday July 25.

Robert was born at Methodist Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He was the third of four children to Norma and Rodney Daggett.
In 1950, the family moved to Downey, California.

Bob excelled in school, graduating from Downey High School a year early.  He attended Fullerton and California State University, San Jose. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Architects Registration Counsel of the United Kingdom. He was a certificate holder with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and a Fellow of the Institute of Store Planners.

In 2002 Mr. Daggett was honored with the Retail Design Award of Merit.

Bob was active in Rotary International, was a past-president of the Rotary Club of Arcadia, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He considered service to the community and his church as among his highest callings. He was a Planning Commissioner for the City of Arcadia and a member of Life Christian Fellowship of Pasadena.
All who knew Bob speak of his generosity, good humor, and commitment to excellence.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, sons David, Todd, and Bruce, and daughter Michele. Bob has eight grandchildren. His grandson Sean, when learning of his Papa Bob’s death, said, “He can’t be gone! When is he coming back? I will miss how funny he is. He always makes us laugh!”

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, August 2, 2010, 11:00a.m. at Sierra Madre Congregational Church, 170 West Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre.

Michael Anthony Daleo, 67, passed away July 24 following a brief battle with cancer.

Michael Anthony Daleo

A resident of Arcadia for more than 50 years, Mike graduated from Arcadia High School in 1960, earned certifications in Engineering and Law Enforcement from UCLA and Cal State Fullerton, and had a 33 year career with Pacific Bell while also serving as an Arcadia Police Reserve Officer since 1976.

Following retirement from Pac Bell in 1994, Mike became a full time employee of the Arcadia Police Department establishing the highly successful Crime Analysis Unit.

Through the years Mike was a member of Jaycees, Lions Club, Elks, Chamber, Arcadia Music Club and many boards and committees. He enjoyed golf, bowling, his restored 56 Chevy Bel Air, USC football and family times.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Marilyn, their son Tim and daughter-in-law Tiffany, daughter Jennifer and husband TJ Forman, step grandchildren Lindy and Colton, and the light of his life, 2 year-old grandson, Nolan Michael.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 29, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Rose Hills Visitation Center. Services will be Friday, July 30, 1 pm at Sky Rose Chapel, Rose Hills, Whittier. A reception will be held following the service at the Sunset Room, Santa Anita Golf Course from 3:30 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Arcadia Police Officers Association, PO Box 660703, Arcadia 91066

Respected Arcadia bird expert and biologist Michael San Miguel, 70, died Wednesday (July 14) after a 300 feet down a ravine north of Altadena, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Michael San Miguel (photo from San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

San Miguel apparently fell down a steep ravine in in the forest near Angeles Crest Highway and Mt. Wilson Red Box Road while counting owls overnight in the Angeles National Forest.

San Miguel was conducting an environmental study on the impact of running Southern California Edison power lines in the area with a colleague when he fell about 8 p.m. while hiking down to a spotted owl’s nest. His colleague found San Miguel injured and hiked out of the ravine to their vehicle to call for help with a satellite phone. But he died before the first rescue teams reached him four hours later.

A Celebration of Life will be held for longtime Santa Anita Park employee Bonita Gould at 4 p.m. on June 2 at Peppers Mexican Restaurant.

Employed as a secretary in the track’s Marketing Department for 26 years, Gould retired in 2008 as Marketing Office Manager (M.O.M.) and moved to Arizona, where she passed away on May 20 at age 69 following a brief illness.

Bonne is survived by her two sons, Rob (May) and Greg (Julie) and her daughter, Stephanie (Chris) Graves and grandson, Pete Gould, who was born May 17, 2009

Beloved by many and known to all for her bright and cheery demeanor, she was an integral part of Santa Anita and she touched many, many people over the years in a very positive way, including both patrons and fellow employees.

Bonne’s family and friends encourage those who knew her through her employment at Santa Anita to join them at Peppers on June 2. Hors d’ oeuvres will be provided.

Peppers Mexican Restaurant is located across the street from Santa Anita, at 181 Colorado Place. Those wishing to attend are asked to contact Annie Gutierrez at Santa Anita by Sunday, May 30. She can be reached at (626) 574-6388.

Larry Bortstein - Photo: Benoit

Veteran turf writer Larry Bortstein passed away early Sunday morning at Arcadia Methodist Hospital after sustaining a pulmonary embolism Jan. 23.
Bortstein, 67, never regained consciousness and had been on life support since being transported to Methodist following the embolism.

A native of New York, Bortstein was a versatile writer who covered horse racing for the Orange County Register for the past 17 years and had covered all major sports at various times over the past 40-plus years. In addition to his work at the Register, he was also a current contributor to the “California Thoroughbred” magazine, which is published by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

“He was a consummate pro,” said former L.A. Herald Examiner sports writer and current Santa Anita publicity staffer Jack Disney. “Larry was very passionate about racing and the people in it. He was always for the underdog and he had a broad network of sources.

“Larry overcame a lot. He was sight-impaired and had to depend on other people to transport him to the track, or to whatever sports venue he may be covering, be it a high school game or a major league baseball game. He was good-hearted and he was extremely conscientious. He’ll be missed.”

In addition to sports, Bortstein also had a passion for music, and in particular singing. He was a member of a barbershop harmony group and had sung professionally to help support his family since he was a small boy.

Bortstein is survived by his wife, Pat, a son, Steven, daughter Christy and grandson, Jeff. Memorial services are pending according to Pat Bortstein.