Honoring Two South Pasadena Icons
August 15th, 2022
What a night! More than 75 community members joined us to honor two South Pasadena icons with the first-ever Senior Champion Awards Reception on Monday, August 15, 2022. We were thrilled to have Bob Joe and Granville “Granny” Thurman's families, friends, South Pasadena City Councilmembers, and many dedicated community volunteers join us. Special thanks to Senator Anthony Portantino and Supervisor Kathryn Barger for recognizing these men's outstanding contributions to the City of South Pasadena.
Bob Joe served two terms as a City Councilmember, 2011-2015 and 2016-2020, and served as Mayor during both terms. Board Treasurer Alexandria Levitt shared Bob’s long list of professional and personal accolades and fondly remembered working with him he was the City Councilmember appointed to the Senior Citizens Commission. “He came to every single one of our meetings. He so clearly cared about what we were doing. He took the time to update us on what was going on with the City and to take our concerns back to the Council. And if there was a luncheon or an event at the Center, you could bet that Bob would be here passing out plates of food and listening to seniors’ concerns,” she fondly remembered.
“The number of lives Coach Thurman has touched teaching and leading in our community is literally incalculable. Throw a pebble in the water, and where it goes…there’s no way to trace it. He’s been part of the community for 86 years, and the number of parents and kids who have interacted with him over the years cannot be counted,” said Board President Bill Cullinane during his introduction. Granny Thurman is a former teacher and principal of the South Pasadena Middle School.
Bill Cullinane and Board Vice President Mark Langill shared stories from their time with Coach/Mr. Thurman at South Pasadena Junior High. Bill reflected on the lasting impression Coach Thurman made during his time in P.E. Mark, on the other hand, explained that he was happy he never had the chance to personally meet Mr. Thurman, then principal, during his junior high days. Both men joked with all sincerity that Granny will always be Coach or Mr. Thurman to them. “I can share a dozen stories from junior high P.E. class with Coach Thurman like they happened yesterday,” Bill shared.
In his speech, Bob Joe graciously pointed out that the success of the Senior Center is due to three things: the caring and committed Senior Center staff, senior volunteers, and the Foundation Board. On the first two, we agree with him completely. As for the Board’s role, our job is certainly made easier with the amazing Senior Center staff and volunteers, and the generosity of our community.
Guests enjoyed champagne and wine poured by our Board President's nieces, and delicious and beautiful desserts baked by Community Services Director Sheila Pautsch. Thank you to our Champagne Sponsors for the evening, Home Instead San Gabriel and Welbe Health, and to all who helped make the inaugural Senior Champion Awards a success. We've set a high bar for next year's awards!