SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2017 
VOLUME 11 NO. 30 
SIERRA MADRE EDITION 
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2017 
VOLUME 11 NO. 30 
SIERRA MADRE EDITION 
SIERRA MADRE FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC 
PROGRAM CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY 


The city of Sierra Madre and the county ofLos Angeles recognized the Sierra Madre Fire 
Department Paramedic Program Tuesday nightat the City Council meeting. The ceremony was torecognize the 10 year anniversary of the program,
and the remaining original personnel who werethere from the beginning.

Captain Gregory Christmas is the ParamedicCaptain and EMS Coordinator. He has been thedriving force of the program from day one. Hisleadership, knowledge, and EMS experience hasmade the program the success it is today. Thecitizens of Sierra Madre know that if they call 911for a medical emergency, they will get top qualitypatient care on scene in minutes. The programowes a tremendous amount of gratitude to CaptainChristmas. 

Honored recipients include (from left to right)
Paramedic/Engineer Paul Razo, Paramedic LouManjarrez, Paramedic Ryan Torncello, ParamedicSabrina Somma, and Paramedic/Captain GregoryChristmas. 

Paramedic Cece Maria Hoschet, who was 
tragically killed in a domestic violence incidenttwo years ago, was also recognized. Engineer TedWalters accepted her award on behalf of her family.
Also recognized was Suzette Otlewis. Suzette hasbeen with the program since its inception as theQuality Assurance/Clinical Educator.

Congratulations to all the recipients and theiryears of dedication to our outstanding paramedic 
program.

BELOVED SIERRA MADREAN 
GORDON CALDWELL PASSES 


He had a smile a mile wide. His 
caring spirit was contagious. Hewas Gordon Caldwell, beloved 
community leader and friend. 
On Saturday, July 22, 2017 at age93, Gordon died shortly afterreturning home from the hospitalwith his wife of 30 years, Mary Louby his side. 

Gordon meant a lot to the 
community of Sierra Madre. He 
moved to the city in 1958 wherehe and his partner Hal ran GEMplumbing for 37 years. That yearhe also joined the Sierra MadreVolunteer Fire Department. He 
was a member of VFW Post 
3208, a faithful member of the 
Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club, and 
was recognized many times forhis extensive volunteer efforts in 
Sierra Madre. He was a recipientof the George Maurer Award for alifetime of Volunteer Service, was 
Grand Marshal of the Sierra Madre 
4th of July Parade and so much 
more. He organized blood drivesas a volunteer for the American 
Red Cross and was responsible forthe collection of more than 2,000 
units of donated blood. 

However, Gordon was probably best known as one of thefew survivors of World War II. He was drafted into the U.S. 
Navy in 1943 and served aboard the Carrier USS Saratogain the Pacific, surviving seven battles, the last of which wasIwo Jima. 
Also the recipient of many military honors, he was amember of the Saratoga Association and last year donatedto the nations WWII Museum a gun that he retrieved after aKamikaze attack on the Saratoga. 

Born on a farm in Louisburg, Missouri on February 24, 1924he was the youngest of five boys and three girls. He lost his 
mother to cancer when he was just 5 years old. When he 
graduated High School in 1943 his military service began. 

After the war, Gordon moved to California where he worked 
for Shell Oil in Ventura. He married Mary Evelyn Hyde andtheir family consisted of 3 girls and 1 son. They moved toSierra Madre in 1958 where they raised their family. His 
wife passed away in 1985 after a long battle with cancer.
A few years later, Gordon married ‘the girl next door’, Mary Lou Caldwell to whom he remained 
married until the time of his death. 


He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Virgil, Milford, Leland, and sisters Hazel, Lucile,
and Wilma and his daughter Judith Ann. 

He is survived by his wife Mary Lou; daughters Connie (David), Luzan Terri Curtis, and son Jerry(Jodi) Caldwell, and Brother Lowell (Gayle) Caldwell; 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; 2nieces, 6 nephews and a host of other grand and great grand family members. 

Viewing will be on Monday, July 31, 2017 from 5-9 pm at Douglas Zook Mortuary, 600 E. Foothill 
Blvd., Monrovia. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Sierra Madre Congregational Church,
170 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre at noon. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or the Sierra Madre Volunteer FirefightersAssociation P.O. Box 911, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91025 or VFW Post 3208, P.O. Box 0695, Sierra Madre, 
Ca. 91025. 

UPS DRIVER SAVES CHOKING 5 YEAR OLD 

From the City of Sierra Madre 

Last week 5 year old Sofia Ayala 
was choking on a piece of hard 
candy. Her mother desperately 
tried to save her as Sofia's 8 
year old and 3 year old sisters 
watched in horror. UPS driver 
Rachel Gonzales stepped in just 
in time to perform the Heimlich 
Maneuver and was successfully 
able to dislodge the piece of candy. 
Last night Mayor Rachelle 
Pastor Arizmendi recognized 
Ms. Gonzales with the Mayor's 
Certificate of Recognition for 
life-saving, heroic efforts. 

Pictured here are Mayor Arizmendi, 
the Luis A. Ayala family, 
and Rachel Gonzales Childs. 

Photo courtesy City of Sierra Madre 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com