DE LA MONTANYA, George H. "Buzz", 58, formerly of Ross, passed away April 18, 2003 in Ukiah, CA. Lafferty & Smith Colonial Chapel, Santa Rosa, 707-539-2921.
George H. de la Montanya |
George De La Montanya - Maureen Callon and I attended the Buzz De La Montanya memorial in Santa Rosa last Sunday afternoon. Buzz was deeply involved at Faith Lutheran and the church was filled with his friends and family, several of whom stood up to tell of his life. Their words reinforced my memory of Buzz as good company, generous, funny and always ready with an outrageously corny joke. The minister was brought to tears while recalling his times with Buzz, but he and others evoked laughter too as they remembered our pal. One friend said that Buzz always asked to hear her sing, and then sang the hymn Amazing Grace in a most beautiful voice. She said she is a waitress and allowed that it was a pleasure to sing for him uninterrupted by the need to take and fill orders. Another friend told the gathering that Buzz gave her financial support at a time of considerable need. We met our classmate Norm Stuart who was Buzz?s good friend all the way back before Davidson Junior High. Norm remarked that in all those years Buzz never changed. Buzz became a counselor at Faith Lutheran after he retired as a Linesman for the phone company. He endured heart problems for some time and died of a heart attack while camping in Mendocino with his wife.
Nature says only a few words:
High wind does not last long,
Nor does heavy rain.