Sunday, October 06, 2013

REMEMBERING "FIGLIO DI SANTA CROCE" (SON OF SANTA CRUZ) ALLAN VOIGHT

IVANO SAYS:  I first met Allan in the early 1960s when he joined the San Jose Police Department. Later Allan transferred (from the SJPD)  to the California Highway Patrol, prompting Captain Elmer Klein, who was the head of the Patrol Division, to state "Al is going to be doing the same job for far less pay".  (At the time the CHP was being paid less than the San Jose Police". )  Al subsequently made Sergeant and was assigned to his beloved Santa Cruz were he served until his retirement.   Addio Al.  Until we meet again across "Il Ultimo Ponte" (The Last Bridge). 
The below Remembrance of Al first appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel: www.santacruzsentinel.com




Sgt. Allan F. Voight 
February 17, 1937 - September 27, 2013
Resident of Santa Cruz
And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord, Psalm 35:9
Services will be held in Santa Cruz for Allan Voight who passed away at his Santa Cruz home at the age of 76. Born in Stockton, California, he has been a resident of Santa Cruz County for the past 38 years. He joined the Stockton PD in 1958 and was drafted into Army in 1960 serving until 1962 as a Military 
Police Officer in Heidelberg, Germany and discharged with a good conduct medal. He then rejoined the Stockton P.D until he became a member of the California Highway Patrol in 1965. Al Voight was proud of his service with the California Highway Patrol, graduating from the academy in 1965. His career spanned over 26 years with the department, 18 years as a distinguished and respected sergeant, retiring as S-1 from the Santa Cruz Office, badge number 3698. 
Affectionately known as "Sergeant Chuckles" to his constituents, his jovial manner and clever office pranks played on his Staff will forever be remembered. Al's humorous side could only be matched by his thoughtfulness and his genuine concern for people. 
His family and friends will cherish the many times they received an envelope in the mail printed simply with the name of the person, places to visit, and enclosed would be items of interest, tickets to events, two for one coupons, or just the fact that he was thinking of things that were of importance to them. 
An avid collector of coins, stamps, and baseball memorabilia, to mention a few, he enjoyed going to baseball games (He was a BIG Giant's fan.) with his wife, friends, children and grandchildren. He toured a lot of the old major league baseball parks throughout the country with his buddy, Jerry Calkins and they also enjoyed going to local music concerts. Al loved Blues, Celtic, Country Western and Christian music and Christian concerts and was a frequent visitor of Twin Lakes Church.
Al enjoyed traveling in their R.V. with his beloved wife Lorraine (Lefty) of 35 years, visiting all but four states. As members of the local "River Rigz" for 25 years they enjoyed the monthly outings with their many close R.V. friends and some of them would also join them on their RV trips too, as well as the many vacation trips with Lorraine's sister Sara and brother-in-law Ray Ward of Santa Cruz, CA. 
Two of his favorite past times; walking along the Seacliff Beach and feeding the birds in his back yard. He enjoyed meeting his fellow retired CHP buddies once a month at a local restaurant for breakfast. Ward Schuyler, who attended the CHP Academy with Al, and later they celebrated their retirement together was a life-long friend and regular visitor throughout his illness. Al touched many lives during his career including his CHP partner and Best Man at his wedding, Loren Marburg and wife Karen, whose caring friendship was a strength during Al's illness.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Voight of Santa Cruz, his daughter, Tammy Wagner of Placerville, his sons and daughters-in-law, Vance and Maria"Malena" Wagner of Soquel, Stu and DaLauna Wagner of Fall River Mills, and Matt and Alisa Wagner of Carson City, NV. He also leaves his sister, Jo Alders of Escalon, his brother-in-law Vern Willey of Long Beach and several nieces and nephews. "Grandpa Duck" also is survived by his eight loving grandchildren Jordan, Brittany, Cody, Erik, Stephanie, Brian, Hennessy, and Raif; and three great grandsons; Joseph, Lincoln, and Waylon. 
Friends and family will gather on Monday October 21, 2013 at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel for a memorial service , beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be private at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz. .