2.04 Uncle George Day

March 1954 • San Jose ~ Word reached Mom that her sister’s husband, George Day, died in Chico on February 17th. He too, like Mom, was high strung, and also like Mom, had suffered a nervous breakdown.

George Day

March 23, 1954 • San Jose, a letter to Verda from Mom:
Dear Verda,                              Saturday P.M.
I have waited too long to write. I was shocked to hear about George and am so very, very sorry. We have had our differences and I think they were trivial. I can look back and see the fun we all had, the card games, picnics, etc. George was never anything but good or nice to me. I am truly sorry for you.

Ethyl wrote me today that Mom had had another fall and broken her leg again. I don’t see how she has lived through it all.

We are all pretty good, the kids are fine but I am still having kidney trouble. Don’t know yet what they are going to do for it. I have a stone and it is located where it can’t pass. I guess Larry worries more over it than I do. Do you have a television set? I guess it’s the best investment I ever made.

I have a good job here, like it very much, work seven hours a day, five days a week, have full charge of the record dept. in a music store. They don’t carry pop, most of our business is done by mail and with schools. We have over 600 schools on the mailing list. Don’t ever have to deal with customers. It pays good and I like it a lot.

Verda “Chatfield” Day

Hope your family is all well. Guess they have all grown a lot. I wish I could get up to see Mom but don’t see how I can. I missed 2 days off work this past week with a kidney attack, tho’ it’s the first one I’ve had in six weeks. I know she can’t last much longer. Poor soul, what a hard life she has had.

Well, it is 12:30 and we have to be ready for 9 o’clock mass in the morning. Well, Verda, there isn’t much I can say. Words can’t express it, but you know, or I wish you did, how I feel.

Love, Noreen

(Note: we were living at 240 George Street in San Jose)

*****

Carl Clemens and George Day as younger men

My father lost George as his best friend when Mom left, blood being thicker than friendship, but when George died, Dad had the honor of acting as one of his casket bearers.

Feb 17, 1954, Chico Enterprise, Chico., California:
George W. Day, Ex-Manager of Ice Firm, Dies Today
George William Day, retired manager of the Union Ice Company, died at his home on Hazel Street early this morning.

Mr. Day was born in Sacramento May 2, 1898, and it was there he received his education. He went into the ice business and became manager of the Union Ice Company’s various firms. He was employed in Watsonville prior to War II and later was transferred to Vallejo and Redwood City.

Previous to establishing his home here four years ago, Mr. Day had lived here a number of years ago with his grandmother, Mrs. Kitty DeVoe, who was one of Chico’s early pioneer families. Mr. Day was a former member of the B.P.O. Elks Club of Watsonville, and spent as much time as his work would permit taking part in lodge and social activities.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Verda Day, and the following children: Robert E. Day, of Santa Maria; George L. Day, who is with the United States Navy stationed in Pearl Harbor; Mrs. Marceline Mangini, of Oakland; Leo R. Day, of Ventura; and Judy and Jeffery Day, of Chico. He also has a brother, Guy Day of Stockton as well as three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are being celebrated at the Bruise Funeral Homes and time of service will be announced later.

Feb 20, 1954: Chico Enterprise, Chico, California:
Funeral Services Held Today for George Day
Recitation of the rosary was held in the chapel of the Bruise Funeral Home Friday at 8 p.m. for George W. Day, retired manager for the Union Ice Company, who died early Wednesday morning. Father Burns of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church led the recitation during which Mrs. L.M. Anderson, organist, played a group of favorite sacred selections.

At 9:50 a.m. today the cortege proceeded to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where requiem mass was celebrated.

Interment was in the Catholic Section of the Chico Cemetery. Casketbearers included Russell A. Northrop, H.B. Vaurs, Tom Day, Carl J. Clemens, A.C. Zanuker and Roy J. Mangini.

to be continued…

© 2018. Catherine Sevenau.
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