Annual Report 1995-1996

Memories of Bill Valva

Over the past couple of years I've had the opportunity to attend two "Man of the Year" dinners honoring Bill Valva-one from Saint Vincent's Day Home and the other from YMI, Council #8. For those of you who attended either function, you may recall Dad's acceptance speeches. He didn't give them. In typical fashion, he stood at the microphone and identified virtually each and every person in the audience and thanked them for their specific contributions. Dad deflected attention to other people, carefully ensuring that he didn't forget a soul. And all the while, he would have that contagious smile on his face.

All along, he would be plotting to get away from the lectern, grab his camera, and start organizing group shots. Afterwards, he would dash over to the photo processing place and have enough copies made to send to each person.

Dad is known to different people for different things. Let's start with his business. At Valva Realty, he and his brother Bob took over quite a legacy in 1948 when their father died prematurely. Over the last half century, he and Bob grew the business into a consistently honest, well-run, profitable, civic-minded Oakland institution.

Religious Affiliations
Many knew Dad through his involvement with church organizations. You may remember Dad leading the endless Valva procession into Mass each Sunday at St. Lawrence O'Toole. Some may recall Dad situating himself in just the right place to snap photos of his sons serving Mass. Whether Dad was at school with his kids or sharing times with the Italian Catholic Federation or advising the Diocese of Oakland, Catholic Charities, Providence Hospital, Mercy Center, or his beloved Saint Vincent's Day Home, Bill Valva was an emblematic Christian and Catholic.

Some knew Dad from his Coast Guard days. A few months ago, I had a chance to sit with him in the hospital and hear all his old stories from the service. Those service memories were among his most dear. He loved serving with Bob, Hal Schneider, and all the others. He loved the flag and what it stood for.

School Chums
Others remember Dad from his school days. Some of my happiest memories are of Mom and Dad's parties with his McClymond High School classmates. He was especially proud of how many good friends he kept from those days.

Bill Valva knew how to put on an event. Those who attended his birthday parties remember that he spared neither expense or energy putting them together. He was the most organized man I know-whether it was throwing a party or taking care of his renowned stamp collection and his countless photo albums.

The man had more friends than anyone I know. They were from the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Athenian Nile, the Colombo Club, the Lunch Bunch, and they were neighbors, parents of our classmates, business associates, and golf buddies. Bill Valva was a guy to love, a guy to befriend.

It's no secret that the most important thing to Dad was his close family. The reunions were among his favorite events. With fifty kids running around, he was in camera heaven. He loved his siblings, his children and those they married, his grandchildren, and especially his wife. Mother was the most important person in the world to him.

Not too long ago, I read, "If I could sit across the porch from God, I'd thank him for lending me you." I think anyone who felt the warm touch of Bill Valva in their lives feels grateful for having him "loaned" to us.