Mazda
Great
(Updated
Wednesday June 03, 2009 11:33 PM)
Additions or corrections? Please send a note to: Doug Wenzel
Current News
Summer 2009 News
We have a request from James Watson, Dave Watson's Nephew. James wrote Paul Hoffman a brief email on May 13, with this request... "Do you know, or who would, which charities Dave worked with? It is my understanding he volunteered at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas to serve people. I think it was Salvation Army, but not sure. If you have any info, let me know. Also, do you or anyone else know if he attended a church while living in Grand Rapids? We are still trying to fill in some blanks...I can be reached at : james.watson@justinbrands.com"
Forest De Maagd had a personal visit with Dave Watson on April 24, at Railside Living Center. Quite possibly this was the only face-to-face meeting with Dave by any of the Import Motors/MGL people between November 4, 2008(the last Retirees Luncheon Dave attended) and April 24, the day Dave passed away. The morning of April 24, between 8:30-9:00 AM Forest met with Dave. Dave had been placed on Hospice Status earlier in the week due to his declining condition. Dave was weak, but he recognized Forest and asked Forest to extend his Birthday wishes to Peter Cook. Dave also asked Forest to relay greetings to the folks attending the luncheon. Forest assured Dave that Judi Rabbai had sent out the luncheon reminder cards as Dave had requested. Dave's condition precluded further conversation. Later that day Dave passed away peacefully. It seems that Forest De Maagd's visit served as a "release" ....passing 95th Birthday wishes along to Peter Cook, greetings to the retiree luncheon attendees and knowing the "torch had been passed" to continue the luncheons, which Dave founded and nurtured.
We've received news that Bruce Brown passed away in April. Charlie Soentgen mentioned that Sharyll called him with the sad news. Apparently, Sharyll and Bruce were living in Las Vegas when he passed. If anyone has any other details so that we can pass along our thoughts to Sharyll, please let me know.
Spring 2009 News
Click on Pictures to see the most recent quarterly MGL lunch at Brann's restaurant. There were a total of 31 former MGL people there, with honors going to Peter Cook who will be 95 today (5/8). Some had to leave before the group shot was taken, but Ted was able to get the photo you'll see on the Pictures page.
John David Watson passed away in Grand Rapids, MI on
Friday, April 24, 2009. He was born June 20, 1920 to Paul E. Watson and Ethel
Watson in Pueblo, Colorado. He graduated from South-West High School in Kansas
City, Missouri and his intention to graduate from the University of Kansas was
interrupted by World War II. He joined the US Navy and served on the S.S.
Clemente in the Pacific Theater. He was a long-time employee of Volkswagen and
settled in Grand Rapids, MI. John David was preceded in death by his parents,
his elder brother, Paul E. Watson, his only sister, Emily Kate Hallin, and
youngest brother, William Douglas Watson. John David is survived by his older
brother, James McLeod Watson of Houston, TX; two nieces, Emily Watson Gleassure
of Kansas City, MO, and Jan Watson Stafford of Houston, TX; nephews, James Paul
Watson of Edmond, OK, Brian Hallin of Santa Cruz, CA, and Dan Hallin of San
Diego, CA. Arrangements by: Memorial Alternatives 2432 Fuller NE, 363-3700
www.memorialalternatives.com
http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=john-david-watson&pid=126646225
Jim Buffington has updated his e-mail address to Golfnut@buffhut.us
Joan Wilson has added her e-mail adders: joanwilson3482@sbcglobal.net
Dave Watson, former MGL District Sales Manager for Michigan and retiree who planned the quarterly MGL retiree lunches at Brann’s, passed away Friday April 24. Dave had been under the care of and living at Railside Assisted Living in Byron Center. One of Mrs. Cook’s caregiver’s, Carol Bouma, works at Railside, and called to let us know Dave passed away. We will all miss Dave and especially appreciate the work he put into sending out the postcards to alert us of the quarterly retiree lunch meetings and for working with Brann’s to make the lunch get-togethers possible. So that the lunches continue, as Dave would want, Judi Rabbai has offered to send out the lunch notifications. We have no additional information on services but will send a message as soon as we do.
Becky Decker has updated her e-mail address to bdecker427@comcast.net
Carolyn Fellmer has updated her e-mail address to mandc8@hotmail.com
Phil Barnes was hired as an Amway employee in February after working there as part of a contract position with CPR for nearly 5 years.
A rather avid Mazda collector, came across our Mazda Great
Lakes Alumni website and said it "really made my day!" He also said...
"I am a very avid (obsessed) Mazda collector in Greenville working with a
fellow collector in San Antonio on a museum for our joint collections (well
over sixty total vintage Mazda rotaries between us). Over the years I have had
well over 50 Mazda autos, primarily rotary, and have a current collection of
seven Mazda rotaries (as well as a few parts vehicles) along with rotary
collectibles from other manufacturers (Suzuki, Sachs, DKW, NSU, etc.). I am
still working behind the scenes to try and gain ownership of the old MGL
signage from Roskam Baking, despite being blown off for many years in my
endeavor. Part of my collection for a one-day museum are two dealer road signs,
three building signs, showroom lit racks, brochures, dealer Special Service
Tools w/cabinets, display cases, posters, banners, pens, mugs, hats, shirts,
models, parts displays, dealer info binders, flags, historical pictures, old
memos, price lists, TSBs, workshop manuals, regional sales award plaques and
trophies (from Florida and Texas training facilities), rotary engine
demonstrators, etc., etc., etc. Our plans are to one day have a small museum
set up much in the way the two remaining MGL buildings are- with a mock
warehouse, training facility and also a mock showroom complete with service
area where our restorations would continue to be carried out. I am contacting
you to ask a favor- PLEASE circulate my name, phone number, email, any info you
want to all Mazda Great Lakes folks you know. Ask them not to throw away
ANYTHING- absolutely nothing at all, no matter how small, insignificant, used,
or otherwise viewed as "non-collectible" it may seem. I want and collect it
all! Anything that anyone may be willing to donate or sell to me would be
greatly appreciated, provided the funds are available at the time. Pictures of
the MGL people then and now, personal stories, pictures of the cars, meetings,
anything are of special interest for diorama displays and history info. No
items I collect are sold, period. Their historical significance is too great to
me. My quest is not for financial gain, but to preserve anything and everything
I can. I appreciate your assistance in advance and hope to hear back from you
and other MGL employees soon!"
Neal Swigert
9330 Baker Road
Greenville, Michigan 48838
616-225-0780 home
330-283-8032 cell
kanseirotary@charter.net
December 2008 News
For those of you that don't know, Kim Peterson teaches a class at the Belmont YMCA (near Rockford). Her Power Flex class there is a serious workout (and if you're like me, a painful one - the next morning). On Tuesday January 6 at 6:30pm, she also starts teaching a toning class for the Cedar Springs Parks and Rec. She'd love to get a huge class! You can call to register at 616-696-7320.
Jim and Bette Buffington are going to be "snowbirds" this year. They have rented a place in Arizona for Jan, Feb, & March. They're going to give this a try to see if it is something that they want to do every year (presuming that the stock market makes a recovery). Their address will be: Gold Canyon RV Park 7151 E. US HWY 60 Unit #396 Gold Canyon, AZ 85218 Their phone # will be 480-288-3396 Gold Canyon is near Apache Junction which is a Phoenix suburb. If anyone is in the area, look them up!
November 2008 News
Some very sad news for those of you who remember our dealer on the West side of Indianapolis - Duke Gold from Speedway Mazda. Duke took his own life Wednesday November 19. He was about to lose the dealership and his home to the bank. He had been estranged from his family for the last year after suffering the loss of his eldest daughter Tasha to cancer in June of 2006.
Jim Buffington is officially retired! His last day was Friday November 14. However, he came down with Pneumonia shortly before his last day so he's now home recuperating. I'm sure he'd love to hear your wishes for a speedy recovery! Congratulations on retirement Jim!
Barb Taggart has opened The Loon's Nest Unlimited in her barn offering Wild Bird Seed, Bird Houses, Gift Baskets, Homemade Goodies and Holiday items - located at 272 Arthur in Marne, MI 49435 telephone number (616) 677-6161.
October 2008 News
Paula Gundrum has taken a new job. She now works for Hyland Software as a Project Manager. Her new work e-Mail address is paula.klein@onbase.com while her personal e-Mail address remains the same at pgun1679@aol.com
August 2008 News
Ted Andriese has a new e-Mail address: rtand@charter.net
Check out the Pictures page for a great photo of some MGL ladies at the beach!
Tim Dooley has left Mazda North American Operations. His e-Mail address is now timandkim7442@comcast.net and his mailing address is 7442 Grady Circle Castle Rock, CO 80108. His Phone number is (303) 997-5236.
Robin Tjalsma got married to Gary Dickerson. She is leaving her job at Family Christian Stores and is relocating to Anderson, IN. Her email address has changed to robinr728@yahoo.com She's going to be an at home mom now. Keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers as she begins this new chapter in her life!
June 2008 News
Don Jones has had another stroke. He also had blood clots in both legs that went to his lungs. Barb Taggart went up to see him last night and said that he is in good spirits. He is unable to walk and speech a bit slurred but he understands everything. He will be going to Mary Free Bed soon for therapy. Barb said they had lots of laughs and he still has a good sense of humor. He is at Butterworth room 4281. Please keep Don in your thoughts and prayers.
May 2008 News
It is with sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Peter Cook’s wife Emajean “Pat” Cook. She died peacefully at home on May 20 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 22 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 23 at 11 AM at Grace Reformed Church, 3330 Burlingame Avenue SW, Wyoming, MI. Mrs. Cook will have a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Reformed Church Youth Program.
Click here for a copy of the press release with more information.
We appreciate your sympathy and concern for Peter at this time but we are requesting people to hold calls to his home and office if at all possible. Thank you
February 2008 News
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