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By Miriam Raftery
December 31, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – As the year draws to a close, we honor the memories and legacies of local leaders and luminaries who passed away in 2023—gone but never forgotten.
This year's list of leaders lost includes several prominent elected officials, leaders in business and philanthropy, a tribal chairwoman, a Holocaust survivor, an SDSU professor, a BMX champion athlete, a sports team owner, a well-known community volunteer, an author and radio host, a former fire chief, and a popular musician.
Below are highlights of their remarkable accomplishments, listed in chronological order of their passing, with links to full obituaries.
Former Lemon Grove Councilman Tom Clabby is credited as a driving force behind efforts to build Lemon Grove’s new library, creation of Treganza Park, and acquiring the H.Lee House, now home to the city’s historical society. He served 14 years on the City Council, also serving on the city’s planning commission and on the bond oversight committee for the Lemon Grove School District. He died on January 22, surrounded by family and friends. According to the Lemon Grove Historical Society, Clabby “left an important footprint in the town.”
Musician Dane Terry , co-founder of the Cadillac Wreckers jazz and blues band, performed at popular venues across the county including House of Blues, Humphrey’s Backstage Live!,Gator by the Bay festival,Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, and many more. He was known as “Mr. Chromatic” in the local music community for his talent playing the harmonica. He died Feb.13 at age 67 of injuries sustained when an SUV ran a red light and struck his motorcycle.
Holocaust survivor Rose Schindler was a frequent speaker to students, determined that future generations should never forget the horrors of Hitler’s Holocaust that killed millions of Jews. She was just 14 when she was sent to the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz, Poland, where she survived by telling guards she was 18 and was put to work. Her parents and four younger siblings did not survive. Schindler died at 93 of pancreatic cancer, survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
“Solar Guy” David Steele passed away in February of congestive heart failure. Named small businessman of the year by the San Diego East County Chamber in 2022, Steele owned Pure Solar Power and was known as the “East County Solar Guy.” He was also an elected member of the Valle De Oro Community Planning Group and an active member of the La Mesa Business Networking International group.
SDSU professor Michael Buono died in March of Legionnaire’s disease. He was a faculty member in the School of Exercise and Nutritional Science and had been with SDSU for four decades, as associate professor and assistant professor before becoming a full professor. He has also served as co-scientific director of the Rees-Steely Research Foundation Laboratory in San Diego and as physiology instructor for the physician assistant program at the Naval School of Health Science, at Balboa Hospital.
Former Barona Tribal Chair Josephine Beatrice “Sister” Romero was born in an era when Native American children were sent off to Indian schools and career opportunities were limited due to prejudice. She overcame those obstacles to become a Tribal Chair and leader who helped usher in Indian gaming in California and establish a museum to teach tribal history and cultural heritage to future generations. On March 26, she passed away at age 94, but her enduring legacy lives on.
Former La Mesa Councilman Guy McWhirter was a strong voice for La Mesa’s business community, helping to develop the village merchants’ association. He served on the planning commission as well as four years on the city council, supporting programs to boost business in the downtown village including a farmer’s market and Oktoberfest. He was also a bishop in the Church of Latter Day Saints and worked as an insurance agent. He died May 26 of cancer. In a 2014 ECM interview, he gave his definition of leadership: “Be an example by being the hardest worker and have the ability of encouraging others by giving them a vision of what we are trying to accomplish. Always listen and be willing to accept new ideas.”
Author and radio host Charles Harrington Elster was best known as the original co-host of “A Way With Words” on KPBS. He was a passionate logophile, or lover of words. The show’s founding cohost, Richard Lederer, remembers Elster as “a real communicator with a great voice.” Elster also authored a dozen books on pronunciation, vocabulary and style He provided voice talent as narrator of books on tape and educational materials, served as a consultant for Garner's Modern English Usage and was the pronunciation editor of Black's Law Dictionary. His articles appeared in many newspapers and other publications.. Elster died of cancer on March 1.
BMX Champion Patrick Michael Casey died June 6 in a crash that occurred while he was performing jumps at the Slayground Motocross Park in Ramona. He turned pro at age 16, Casey is remembered as "an incredible BMX rider, multiple X games, Simple Session medalist, and an all-around fantastic human," Simple Session posted on Facebook. "We are heartbroken about the news and sending lots of love and prayers to his wife, Chase, his son Reid, and his daughter Taytum. This crushing news will send shockwaves through the BMX and action sports world."
August Caires, Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s vice president, past board president and former general manager, passed away on August 2. He served on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program’s Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023. He also represented Padre Dam on state and regional water agencies and commissions. An Army veteran, his commitment to the community extended beyond his role with Padre Dam; he served on the Grossmont College Foundation Board as well as 40 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Santee-Lakeside, serving as President for three terms and earning the Rotarian of the Year award for demonstrating “Service Above Self.”
Mark Baker, Lakeside Fire Protection District Director and former Fire Chief, died July 10 after complications from a heart procedure. “He was dedicated to his work to ensure the success of the Lakeside Fire District and the safety of the residents he served,” a statement from the District said. Baker’s career included Cal Fire and several fire departments, with experience in both wildland firefighting and municipal fire service. He later worked for a consulting firm to fire agencies on fire prevention. The California Fire Chiefs Association said on his passing, “He will be greatly missed by all those in the fire service that not only knew him, but also looked to him as a leader and mentor."
John Mendoza, a retired grocery worker, active community volunteer and husband of Lemon Grove Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, died of a heart attack on September 3. He began working in the grocery industry at age 18 and was a proud member of the United Food & Commercial Workers union. He worked for many years at Lucky Stores in Lemon Grove. He was also an active community volunteer with the Lemon Grove Lions Club, as a lector and choir member in his church, and as a driving force in establishing Lemon Grove’s Community Garden.
Mark Lewis, who served El Cajon as mayor and city councilman for 25 years, died of complications from a stroke on October 12 at age 75. He led the city through a recession and a centennial, headed up efforts to revitalize downtown and create a cleaner, greener community for future generations. He also served as the County of San Diego’s waste management coordinator and chaired SANDAG’s public safety board. But he was most proud of leading efforts to revitalize downtown El Cajon and implement green programs that cleaned up the city’s air pollution. ”You can see the difference,” he told ECM. His wife, Sarah “Chris” Lewis reflected, “He loved El Cajon and everyone in it.”
Sandra Burr and her late husband, Ed, cofounded EDCO. Together, they created a legacy of philanthropy and giving back to help the community. They gave $5 million to Sharp Grossmont Hospital and established the Burr Heart and Vascular Center. As a founding board member of the La Mesa Parks and Recreation Foundation the Burrs started off the foundation’s funding by donating $1 million toward creation of the 23-acre Junior Seau Sports Complex near Parkway Middle School. In 2021, both Ed and Sandy Burr were honored by the California Park and Recreation Department with the 2020 Champion of the Community Service Award of Excellence. They also donated to help build the Boys and Girls Club’s Teen Center at Highwood Park. Then again in 2013 and a new Clubhouse at La Mesa Arts Academy. Sandra Burr died October 11 at age 84,
San Diego Padres owner and chairman Peter Seidler, beloved by fans for investing in star players and bringing the team to the National League Championship playoffs last year, died November 13 at age 63. The team, which had languished near the bottom of the league in payrolls for decades, made the postseason in 2020, then advanced to the playoffs in 2022, narrowly missing the playoffs in 2023 but setting a franchise record for attendance. Seidler was also a leader in efforts to help San Diego’s homeless and invest in causes helping children and medicine. Mayor Todd Gloria today praised Seidler as a “true visionary leader who had a deep love for the game of baseball and the San Diego Padres, and also an unwavering commitment to our city.”
Former Assemblymember Howard Wayne, who represented the 78th Assembly district, died Nov. 2 on his 75th birthday. Wayne served in the state Assembly for three terms, from 1996 to 2002, and thereafter returned to his job as an assistant state attorney general focusing on consumer fraud. While in the Assembly, Wayne served as chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and the select Committee on Biotechnology. One of the bills he shepherded into law was to require testing for pollutants caused by runoff along the San Diego County coastline. After retirement, he continued in public service and was a member of the San Diego County Grand Jury. He served on the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee and volunteered on many campaigns. Along with his wife Mary, he traveled in 2006 to South Africa to help the post-apartheid government establish a new legal system.
Former La Mesa City Councilman Ernest “Ernie” Ewin died December 28, 2023. Ewin served 18 years on the City Council, previously serving on the city’s planning commission, and held many other civic leadership positions, contributing to East County communities in the fields of education, healthcare, and more. He represents the City on the Metropolitan Transit Board (MTS), where he chaired the audit committee. He chaired the Metro Waste Water Joint Powers Authority and served as Executive Director of the Grossmont College Foundation’ board of directors and as donor relations specialist for the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges. In addition, he was Chairman of the Prop G Grossmont Healthcare District's Independent Oversight Committee and served on the board of the East County Visitors’ Bureau. He was also a founding member of the San Diego Trolley Board of Directors, past member of the County of San Diego Finance Review Panel, past Chairman of the San Diego County Organization Assessment Panel, and past Chairman of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca District's Prop R Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee. In addition, Ewin chaired a volunteer finance committee for the city’s 2012 Centennial celebration.
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