In Memoriam

Erik Nunn EE ’02

Erik Nunn EE ’02, who was a candidate for Contra Costa County supervisor, was killed in a plane crash in June along with his wife, Tanya, and another couple. He was 37.

The Nunns were flying home in a Piper Cherokee from Las Vegas, where they celebrated their 10th anniversary with their neighbors, Michele and Craig Wilson. All four were killed when the plane crashed. The Nunns had four children, and the Wilsons had three.

Mr. Nunn served in the Marines and earned his bachelor’s degree from the School of Extended Education. In 2006, he obtained his aviation license, and according to news reports he was known as a careful pilot.

Mr. Nunn was active in politics, as an appointed member of the Oakley Planning Commission and a candidate for the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors in 2004. He also served on a regional transportation authority that was working to secure funding for road improvements in eastern Contra Costa County.

In the June primary election, Mr. Nunn came in second in a five-way race, which put him into a runoff election in November against incumbent Federal Glover.

Mr. Nunn was the chief financial officer for a construction company in eastern Contra Costa County, and a pastor of the New Lifelines Ministries Church in Oakley, where he and his wife did community outreach work.

Mr. Nunn is survived by his children, Elorah, Nikolette, Tezianna and Ethan, who range in age from 4 to 9. They are being cared for by family members.

Catalina Torres, who was known for her work on domestic violence issues, was killed in a shooting in Martinez on Sept. 6. She was 44.

Ms. Torres died during a domestic violence dispute involving her cousin’s estranged husband, who shot and killed her and then Martinez Police Sgt. Paul Starzyk, who killed the gunman.

Before entering college in her late 20s, Ms. Torres escaped from a violent marriage. She often referred to her own experience as an example of overcoming a problem that affects millions of women and families each year.

At Saint Mary’s, Ms. Torres majored in women’s studies and was involved with the Latina student organization Hermanas Unidas and the Women’s Resource Center. For years, she volunteered for STAND against Domestic Violence, a nonprofit based in Concord.

“Catalina shared her own story and encouraged other women to reach out for help,” says Sharon Sobotta, director of SMC’s Women’s Resource Center.

Ms. Torres spoke frequently on campus about domestic violence issues and counseled younger students seeking to overcome violence in their lives.

“She really took a leadership role and was a tremendous mentor for younger women,” says Denise Witzig, coordinator of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program.

Brothers

• Brother Daniel Casey
• Father Matthias Lu, AFSC
• Brother Charles Marin

Alumni

• Bonnie R. Bowman ’78
• Lyle A. Byers ’33
• Alex Colman ’46
• Ralph D. Filice ’65
• John “Jack” J. Gerwig ’51
• James G. Grobl ’64
• Vincent Barry McLorg ’73
• Gerald F. Powers EMBA ’93
• Ray E. Ruddell ’41
• Terry Watkins ’78

Family and Friends

• Roberta Beseda, mother of Michael Beseda ’79, mother-in-law of Maureen O’Herin ’83, grandmother of Kathryn Beseda ’01
• William “Bill” Canizales
• Amato Carmignani, grandfather of Courtney Carmignani ’05 ML ’07
• Minnette Melka-Mathews, mother-in-law of William McKinstry ’65, grandmother of Bridget McKinstry-Brophy ’95 and James McKinstry ’01
• Charles E. “Kiwi” Meredith Jr., father of Anthony C. Meredith ’84
• Brendan Tanger, brother of Kerry (Tanger) Corboline ‘87

Saint Mary’s magazine runs the names of recently deceased alumni, Christian Brothers and friends who have given to Saint Mary’s. Names of other friends of the College, as well as family members of alumni, faculty and staff, appear in the online version of the magazine.