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At random: A typical modern submarine may require as many as 2,000 working drawings for the more than 7,000,000 items used in its construction. Blueprints from these drawings if placed end to end would make a strip 250 miles long.
Sunday Obits
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Coyote
Posted 2023-11-26 9:53 AM (#104366)


Master and Commander

Posts: 1005

Location: NE Florida
Subject: Sunday Obits


OPITZ .. .. William (Bill) Opitz passed away on Nov 21, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Helena. Bill was born to Elmer and Lola Opitz on June 22, 1941, and spent his childhood roaming the Westside of Missoula, playing every sport imaginable. Starting in grade school, he worked at the family butcher shop on Woody Street, where he developed brawn by packing beef, honed his people skills with customers, and sharpened his dexterity to keep his fingers while cutting meat. In Missoula, he attended St. Anthony's grade school and Loyola High School. He then graduated from the prestigious Naval Academy in Nuclear Physics before serving on a submarine. After service, he returned to Montana with his wife, Judy, and two kids, Kim and David, where he received an MBA from the U of Montana and embraced the final 54 years of his life.
To know Bill was to witness a devoted husband. He married the love of his life, Judy Schureman, on Nov 7, 1964. Their 59-year marriage revolved around parenting, grandparenting, camping, vacationing, and fishing. They became Yuma snowbirds, jitterbug partners, slot machine mates, pinochle partners, and the list goes on. The yin and the yang.
To know Bill was to witness a family man. He displayed a proud affection for his children and was a fantastic Papa to his grandkids. He became the fun "Uncle Fish" to his nieces and nephews and held tight to the childhood memories of his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, extended family, and in-laws. With Bill, blood was thicker than water.
To know Bill was to witness a competitor. In high school, he shined as a shrine-game quarterback, all-state basketball player, and champion shot-putter. He became a teammate to two Heisman trophy winners at the Naval Academy. He constantly won in poker, cribbage, pinochle, horse, or any game imaginable. He could throw a football behind his back into a bucket 30 yards away.
To know Bill was to witness generosity. What was his was yours. He was always willing to lend a hand and he served his country during the Vietnam War. He had no want for material things (except an occasional boat) and never stole anything (except an occasional wedding pie). You could always count on a phone call from Bill to check in on you.
To know Bill was to witness unbridled passion. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He faithfully cheered the Montana Grizzlies. Same with the Capital Bruins. He championed the underdog and advocated for the maligned.
To know Bill was to witness leadership. He became commander of his graduating company at Annapolis, where future Rear Admirals forever called him "their leader." The PSC created an Executive Director post for him. The governor recruited him to be Deputy Director of the Health and Environmental Services. His employees admired him and enjoyed his celebration of their birthdays.
To know Bill was to witness toughness. Natural physical strength, he packed sides of beef in High School. He never backed down from bullies. He'd intercede at any time to protect his family and friends.
To know Bill was to witness a Montanan. His word was his bond, and strangers quickly became friends. He wanted to explore every backroad. Fish quaked in his presence when he graced a stream with his rhythmic cast or trolled a lake with precise speed and depth. Birds, deer, and elk filled his freezer, often with the help of his buddy, Frank Buckley.
To know Bill was to witness a storyteller. His reciting of childhood adventures allowed his previous generation to live on with his descendants. He told stories of hunting. Of fishing. Of sports. And he told those stories to everyone. When he left a waiting room, surrounding strangers would say, "Nice to talk with you, Bill." The only thing better than a story was to hear his gifted voice sing, often accompanied by his daughter. His grandkids looked forward to Christmas mass every year when they could hear him sing Silent Night.
We will always remember Bill for his strong friendships and his adoration of his family. We'll always imagine hearing him say, "We're burning daylight'" one more time. We couldn't have asked for a better husband, brother, papa, uncle, father, friend, and mentor, and we will miss him every day. Bill's memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lola Opitz, and sister, Sondra Creighton. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judy; daughter Kim (Dave) Stenberg of Kalispell; son David (Trish) Opitz of Missoula; grandkids Sarah Opitz (Zac Barta), Erin (Zac) Hook, Joseph Opitz, Jessica (Colton) Frazier, and Jackie Stenberg; his brother Jim (Patty) Opitz of Helena and sister Mary Opitz of Dallas; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a rosary and stories at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec 1, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec 2, at St. Mary's, with a reception to follow. Interment will be at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula on Monday, Dec 4. If desired, in lieu of flowers, you can donate to God's Love, St. Jude's, or a charity of your choice.



SHAW .. .. Dennis Edward Shaw, 80, passed away peacefully at home in Westerly, RI with his loved ones at his side. Dennis was born in Centerville, Iowa he was the son of Edward and Mary Shaw.
Dennis graduated from Centerville High School and enlisted in the Unites States Navy. He was stationed first in California then was transferred to New London, Connecticut where he trained as a machinist mate on the nuclear submarine the USS Abraham Lincoln. Dennis completed his service after six deployments and settled down in Norwich, Connecticut where he held various positions at Electric Boat and Pratt and Whitney, and finally with Prudential Life Insurance where he was employed as an agent for over 50 years. He raised three children, Michael Shaw, Mary Devine, and Susan Shaw with his former wife Elizabeth in Norwich, CT. He had many friends in Norwich and enjoyed many wonderful dinners and functions with all the families and their children together. He is the grandfather of Valeria Shaw, Colton Greer, Jacob Greer, Michaela Shaw, and Declan Harris. He is survived by his longtime beloved partner, Donna DeGroff. He is also survived by a brother, James Shaw of San Diego, CA and a sister Martha Rogerson of Valencia, CA. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Lane, his brother Stephen Shaw of CA and his grandson Gordon Munch.
Dennis owned properties in Norwich for many years and as a landlord provided, homes, for many people over the years. He was a kind and caring landlord who befriended many families and went out of his way to help and assist many in need. Dennis cherished spending time with his daughter Susan, finding treasures at yard sales, working on home projects. He was especially proud of her service in the marines. Dennis and Donna enjoyed many wonderful years of swing and country dancing, biking, rollerblading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends in Westerly and Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
Visiting hours are omitted. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly, RI on Wednesday, November 29 at 10:00 a.m. Internment will follow at River Bend Cemetery, Westerly. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com

ROSE .. .. Jefferey Edward Rose, 50, passed to eternal life on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 at HCA Healthcare in Conroe, TX. He was born August 20th, 1973 to William and Genevieve Rose in Galveston, Texas. Jeff was a graduate of Jasper High School and held a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics from Sam Houston State University. Jeff was a U.S. Navy Electronics Technician aboard the USS Corpus Christi submarine, which was stationed in Groton, Connecticut. He was very proud of his naval service.
Jeff was employed with TDCJ after his discharge from the Navy. His final employment was with Tenaris in Conroe, Texas as an electronics technician. Jeff was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Edward and Alice Zerbel. His paternal grandparents, Alfred and Mary Rose, uncles James Rose, Jackie Wheeler, John Nowik and Aunt Rita Ziemak. Surviving family are his parents, Bill and Genevieve Rose, his beloved daughter, Audrey Caroline Rose of Conroe, Texas, sister Pamela Saffel, Aunt Nedra Zerbel, and many other aunts and uncles and cousins. Most important in Jeff’s life was his family. Audrey was his everything. She was first in everything he attempted. He was very grateful to her mom, Erin Rose, for helping with her care and guidance and now carrying on with her future endeavors. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at Hawthorne Baptist Church in New Waverly, TX at 2:00p.m. All friends and family are invited to attend.


BUCKLEY .. .. TOWNSEND - On November 18, 2023, the good Lord extended His hand to Patrick James (Jim) Buckley, AKA "Buck" and asked if he was ready to go on his last adventure. Buck said yes! And so, he left his earthy home at Serenity Point in Townsend, MT, for his Heavenly home.
Buck was born in Massena, NY, on January 24, 1944, to Patrick and Wynona Buckley, and raised in Saranac Lake, NY, where he attended primary school. After graduating high school in 1962 from Mount Assumption Institute (MAI) in Plattsburgh, NY, he enlisted in the Navy subsequently becoming a "Bubble Head" serving on the Submarine USS Trutta SS-421 during the Viet Nam War until 1966. He said he was in Guantanamo Bay, when Kennedy and Khrushchev went toe to toe during the "Cold War." He is a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal Award.
After exiting the Navy, Buck was always looking for new challenges which created a long list of employment opportunities: lineman for Southern CAL Phone company; Sales/Marketing Manager for Bio Dynamics, Inc. CA; Owner and General Manager of Town & Country Chevrolet, Townsend, MT; Sales/Marketing Manager for Newport Instruments, Inc. Newport Beach, CA; Marketing Manager & Sales Engineer for Climatron, Inc., Costa Mesa, CA; Co-founder of I.D.M.A. (It Doesn't Mean Anything) a specialty manufacture of energy management hardware and software for buildings and utility industries; JWP, Long Beach, CA; Owner and Operator of Deep Creek Restaurant, Townsend, MT; Energy Management Engineer for the State of Alaska and Chugach Electric, Anchorage AK; President/CEO of Energy Alternatives, Palmer, AK. His last challenge was building our home in Newport, WA. He did all the plumbing, although not a licensed plumber he was awarded the "thumbs up" by a very thorough and professional building inspector.
He always said he was the "Jack of All Trades and Master of None!" however, he was very intelligent and successful at what he "didn't" master. He was an amazing salesman; he could sell ice to an Eskimo. His career extended from being a Salesman, Certified Energy Manager, Purveyor of Fine Food and Libations, and Licensed to Perform Marriages and all Sorts of Mischief.
Buck loved to drive fast; racing go carts when he was young, graduating to dune buggies, motorcycles, and snow machines. He was an avid reader, golfer and loved to cook. At his restaurant in Townsend, he create Four Star menu's for wine tastings. After meeting the love of his life and soulmate, Sheila Quigley, he decided to hang up his cooking utensils and move to Palmer, AK, to start a new life.
Buck will be remembered for his zest for life; living to the fullest and not letting grass grow under his feet. His beautiful, warm and loving blue eyes with a hint of the Irish devilment could rival Frank Sinatra's. He had a winning smile, sense of humor, and can-do attitude. He was very generous with his love, time and money. If someone needed anything, he was there.
He is proceeded in death by his father and mother; brother, Gordon; daughter, Debbra Ann; and stepson, Chad Allan Graveley. He is survived by wife, Sheila Quigley, Helena, MT; son, Patrick; and grandson, Van Buckley; and adopted daughter, Czarina Muro Holleyer, Phoenix, AZ; stepson, Ken Graveley; and grandson, C.J (Cori) Graveley, Townsend, MT; grandson, Zack (Jill); and great-granddaughter, Riley, Graveley, Thornton, CO.
Service will be held at SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church on Friday, December 1, 2023. Rosary at 11:30 a.m. with funeral mass to follow at 12:00 noon. A luncheon will be served immediately following the services in the church basement. There will also be a celebration presentation of Buck's amazing life. Interment will be in Avon, MT on Saturday for family members.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to God's Love in Helena, MT, in Patrick Buckley's name.

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