by Janet Grella

It is often agreed that most people over five years old and living in the United States on November 22, 1963 will remember exactly where they were when they found out that President John F. Kennedy was killed by an assassin’s gunshot in Dallas, Texas.

Today is the 45th Anniversary of this event that robbed us of our first Catholic president. The BTB thought we’d look back at this common memory through the eyes and memory of a local man who was there.

I met Tim Leahy at the Des Moines Legacy Foundation’s 9th Annual Bayside Brunch at Anthony’s Homeport recently. He was the Auctioneer, I was a volunteer.  Through the course of conversation, I learned that he not only had lived in Dallas with his family, he was at the actual parade.

His Dad Richard took Tim (6th grade), sisters Cathy (8th grade) and little sister June (5th grade) out of class to see the first Roman Catholic President. Mom Patricia was home with his two younger brothers.  From their vantage point they saw the presidential plane landing and Love Field.  The Leahy family were very excited as the Presidential Lincoln Convertible drew past their spot real slow.  Dad was taking home movies on an 8mm camera. Once they passed, Mr. Leahy got the kids in the car and drove them to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

In what Tim said was “no longer than 10-15 minutes, we walked into the restaurant; everyone was gathered around a radio, weeping.  A waitress told them the President had been shot.  Dad rushed over to St. Monica’s Catholic Church to pray for the president, his family and the country.”

Although they had planned to go back to school at St. Monica’s, they were taken home to start what would be a three-day television broadcast.

Like all viewers on Saturday morning, Tim and his family watched Jack Ruby kill Lee Harvey Oswald in the garage of Dallas Police Headquarters surrounded by policeman and detectives.  Let the conspiracy theories begin!

Walter Cronkite of CBS News broke into the CBS soap opera “As the World Turns” to tell the nation President Kennedy had been shot about 12:35pm CST and rushed to the hospital – here’s a video clip of that very moment:

At 1:38pm CST Mr. Cronkite was back on screen to tell American that our 35th President of the United States had died, about 38 minutes ago at 1:00pm:

BTB wants to know where were you when Kennedy died, and what were you doing?

Email us or post a Comment below…

Just over two years ago, a torrential storm hit, causing the Cowlitz River near Mt. Rainier to overflow and sweep Highline High ‘05 graduate Andy MacDonald away to a tragic death at age 19.

Andy was hunting elk with his family, and the truck he was in fell into the raging river after the bank gave way underneath it.

He was a popular high-school athlete with a great sense of humor, as well as an aspiring firefighter and a friend with “the best hug in the world.” He played soccer, wrestled, was president of his junior class as well as homecoming king. He was known at Highline as a kid who was kind to all, friends said.

His family established a scholarship fund for Occupational Skill Center’s Firefighting program in Andy’s name, and they’re holding a special soccer match between Andy’s ‘pink shirt boys’ rec team and alumni of Highline’s girls’ soccer team on Saturday Nov. 29th at Highline’s Memorial Field, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Admission is by donation, and all proceeds will go to Andy’s scholarship fund.

So come down to Memorial Field and join Andy’s friends in this high-energy tribute to his memory.

For more information on Andy MacDonald, here’s a link to a Facebook tribute page, chock full of great photos that will soon make those who didn’t know him feel like they actually did.

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by Mark Neuman

A refreshing phone call came in to the B-Town Blog offices from Burien fire victim David Baggott.

You may recall that David, along with his wife Elizabeth, are among the more than two dozen survivors of the fatal June 29th arson fire which destroyed the Tara and Jenny Marie apartment buildings on SW 155th Street in Burien.

Their roommate, Lindy Kunimoto, age 49, died in the fire. Two other people, tenants on the floor above them (including an 8-year old boy), also died tragically, and as of today, the arsonist still remains at large despite a $10,000 reward.

David is now back at work. He and Elizabeth have settled in to a new apartment near Highline High School.

“I just want to say how very much we appreciate all the help that everyone has provided,” David said. “We are overwhelmed with what the community has done for all of us.”

David says his parents, who lived with them at the Tara, are doing much better now, too.

David and Elizabeth, along with his parents and about a ten other survivors, attended the Fire Victim’s Fundraiser (co-sponsored by the B-Town Blog along with Discover Burien) held at Mick Kelly’s July 16th.

“We loved it,” he said. “Thank you very, very much to everyone for the turnout.”

The Fundraiser, featuring silent, live auctions and a 50/50 raffle, raised over $10,500, which went directly to a fire victims fund set up at Sterling Savings Bank.

David says he will stay in touch and keep B-Town Blog readers informed as to how life is going.

Meanwhile, David is a strong advocate for planning and rehearsing a fire drill in the home.

“Knowing exactly how you are going to get out in case of a fire is a very, very good thing to know.”

Jared Storer, son of Mark Storer and brother of Brian, both of whom died last week when their floatplane crashed, wrote the following message about yesterday’s memorial service on his blog last night:

Thanks to everyone who attended Mark & Brian’s Memorial Service today. It really meant a lot to the entire family to see so many supporters of our loved ones.

Both men would be extremely proud of the service.

Thanks to all volunteers of Church by the Side of the Road, John Knox Presbyterian Church, Normandy Christian Church, Maars Hill, Riverview Community Church, and all other groups for helping organize the service and reception.

As for the procession, a special thanks to North Highline Fire District, Bellevue Fire Department, Burien/Normandy Park Fire, Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, Port of Seattle Police, all towing companies in attendance, as well as security agencies, and other friends that drove in the procession.

Your overwhelming support is appreciated by the Storer family and was a true honor to Mark & Brian.

We estimate approximately 700 people in attendance at the service and 150 vehicles in the procession, primarily emergency vehicles.

Memorial Service Coverage:

• KOMO 4
• KIRO 7

Donations to the family of Brian Storer are currently being accepted at Sterling Savings Bank locations. The Storer Family Memorial Fund will benefit the 2 & 1 year old boys who lost their father.

More info at http://jaredstorer.blogspot.com/

TUKWILA – Burien Towing’s Mark and Brian Storer, killed last week when their floatplane crashed near Shelton, were honored today with a memorial service here.

The procession was highlighted by dozens of tow trucks (several vintage ones that Mark collected) in a procession that started at the Burien Towing offices on SW 149th, along with an honor guard and hundreds of mourners in the Church by the Side of the Road at this afternoon’s service.

More info:

• Son Jared’s Blog
• Mark Storer’s Obituary
• Brian Storer’s Obituary
• KOMO News Story (with video)
  

We’d like to take a moment to reflect and commemorate that it was exactly one month ago today that an arson fire blazed through the Tara and Jenny Marie apartment buildings in the 400 block of SW 155th Street, killing three (Edgar Omar Cisneros Velazquez, his grandfather Ramon Cisneros Sanchez and Lindy Kunimoto) and injuring six.

To date, no arrests have yet been made, despite a $10,000 reward.

According to Jared Storer’s blog, a fund has been set up to support the family of Brian Storer, who was killed last Thursday in a floatplane crash near Shelton along with his father, Mark.

Brian and Christy Storer were married three years and have two young children, Toby & Sam, ages 2 and 1 (pictured at left).

The “Storer Family Memorial Fund” is accepting donations at all Sterling Savings Bank locations.

After taking in an estimated 300+ truck fulls of goods, the Burien Fire Victims Donation Center (located at 156 SW 152nd Street) is now closed and being returned to its landlord.

Please make a note of it, spread the word, and do NOT show up with any more donations, since nobody will be there taking things in.

Lynda Insernio of Sterling Savings Bank sent out this email note:

I have worked with each of the families and have funds that we have already distributed or will distribute to them in the amount of $900.00 each to help them get into permanent housing.

There are additional funds in the account I will use for a further distribution once I know how much we have left in the account.  This has been an amazing experience that was shared by many folks.

We at the B-Town Blog would now like to take a moment to give some serious Shout Outs to local businesses, neighbors and just plain ol’ good peeps who donated to this fine cause, which benefited the families displaced by the June 29th apartment arson fire that killed three:

VOLUNTEERS WHO STAFFED THE DONATION CENTER:

• Burien/Normandy Park Fire Dept.
• The Mysterious International Soccer Team who helped move items
• Christian Supply for donating the office space
• Karen Paden
• John & Amber Paden
• Terri & Jared Butcher
• Sandra Aguilla
• Amy Hance-Brancati
• Molly Verbon
• Gwen Benedict
• Matthew Benedict
• Ian Benedict
• Sandra Holmes
• Ray & Jean Johnson
• Kassidy Daw
• Manyableshal Makey
• Peggy Dunlap
• Adanech Makey
• Nicole Isernio
• Angela Isernio
• Ellie Cain
• Gee Braun
• Lesley Scheunemann
• Carol Verbon
• Peggie Recker
• Danny Zaballos
• Max Cullinan
• Kerng Clausen
• Jennifer Dumlao
• Mabel Chu
• Vicci Kennedy
• Gus Ramos
• Roycie Ditullio
• Jane Caqncro
• Mary Jane Lane
• Amy Cullinan
• Gay Paulus
• Sandra Holmes
• Nancy Sparks
• Cari Sparks
• Lynn Mays
• Nicole Mays
• Allison Gobat
• Betsy Akena
• Joslin Briggs
• Jess & Carol Graf
• Natalie Cullinan
• Wendy Zaballos
• Ashley & Jamie Olson
• Ronald Donaldson
• Patricia Hanley
• Terri Hanley
• Dennis Bjornstad
• Bill Williams
• Chris Bacon
• Paul Mathews
• David Rieger
• Chuck Hanson
• Dawn Thompson
• Mark Bailey
• DeAn Small
• Erin Colins
• Lupita Ayon
• Lucy Mason
• Alicia Brewer
• Magdalenc Ayon
• Celina Quintero
• Logan Brickell
• Stephanie Altness
• Cindi Saltness
• Scott Dixon
• Carla Jones
• Kathy Fitz
• Rose Clark
• Mayor Joan McGilton
• Sue Blazak
• Mike Martin
• Chris Barnes
• The Whistler Family
• Brenda Martin
• Gary Clausen and Hillcrest Bowl
• Jimenez Family
• The Will Family
• Anyone else who didn’t leave a name – THANKS!

BUSINESSES WHICH DONATED TIME/MONEY:

• Burien/Normandy Park Fire Dept.
• The Other LLC (Mr. Richards, the landlord for Christian Supply who donated the building)
• Burien Auto Group ($6000.00 donation to the families)
• Burien Grocery Outlet ($25.00 donation to each family unit)
• Wayne’s Grocery ($30.00 Gift certificate to each family unit)
• La Costa (25 dinners donated to members of the families)
• Bison Creek Pizza (held the first fundraiser July 6th, which brought in $5,000)
• Mick and Adrian of Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub (held fundraiser auction July 16th, which brought in over $10,500)
• The Mark Restaurant
• Patty Sader and Discover Burien
• Debra George of Marketing Innovations
• Scott Schaefer/Mark Neuman of The B-Town Blog
• Mark Minium of Burien Honda, for hosting the fundraiser auction
• Elliot Bay Brewery
• Gina & Jim Kallman who not only help setup the silent auction but then provided security for those items the entire night of the event
• Glendale Lutheran Church
• David Scheer Chiropractic
• Dr. & Mrs Dennis Hansen Jr.
• IBEW Local #46
• Sterling Savings Bank
• Collins Chiropractic
• Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
• The Red Cross
• Gregory Heights School
• The Union Gospel Mission
• Lynn Coleman
• Kathy Keene
• Rose Clark
• Rochelle Flynn
• Beth Snyder
• Steve Costanzo
• Janel Stoneback
• Cathy Low
• Jesann Spani
• Ross Locher
• Ana Hughes
• Dr. Aaron Collins and his wife Erin

INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS:

• Dean Parker
• Patricia DeCastongrene
• Katherine Higgins
• Meridith Luethe
• Pamela Nomura
• Ray & Jean Johnson
• Peggy & Mike DeLeon
• Nancy Willis
• Loran & Sheila Kollmorgen
• Judy Peterson
• Sharelle Lerck
• Barbara Clairmont
• Norris Anderson
• Margaret lisowski
• Kathy Fitz
• Amy Hallnum
• James & Debra Wickham
• Sam Colombo

AUCTION DONATIONS:

• Sylvan Learning Center
• Katie Arnold and her husband
• Colleen Monette
• The Hi-Liner’s
• Tina Orwell
• Dr. Elie Levy
• Hey Paison!
• Burien Little Theatre
• Key Bank
• Vino Bello
• Highline Therapy
• Full Tilt Ice Cream
• Trader Joe’s
• Lee Moyer
• Dr. John Muramatsu
• Alaska Airlines
• Port of Seattle
• Jean Kim
• Jessica at the Tae Kwon Do Studio
• Rick Cosgrave
• B-Town Blog
• Body Matters
• Jim Coleman DDS
• El Dorado West Retirement
• Elliott Bay Brewhouse
• Richard Bodine
• Burien Honda
• Robinson Newspapers
• Madeline, Chloe Bjordahl
• Highline Medical Group
• The Tin Room
• 909 Coffee & Wine
• The Mark Restaurant
• Optimark
• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub

This isn’t a complete list by any means, so if you know of someone or group we’ve overlooked, please let us know.

As we reported Friday, Burien Towing’s Mark Storer, 51, and his son Brian, 24, were killed in a floatplane crash near Shelton, WA.

A memorial service for both has been scheduled for this Thursday, July 31st at 11am at the Church by the Side of the Road, which is located at 3455 S 148th Street in Tukwila (map below).

According to the Burien Towing website:

• Mark and Brian took the afternoon off work to spend some time together in Mark’s amphibious airplane.
• The two were last seen enjoying the day on Lake Nahwatzel, before the plane’s engine failed shortly after taking off. Both died in the crash.
• Mark was a dedicated father and husband. He loved his family and will be missed by many.
• Brian was married and was a father of 2 young boys, ages 2 and 1. He also loved his family very much and will be missed.
• Both Mark and Brian dedicated much of their lives to the family business. Airport Towing mourns their passing and supports the families they have left behind.
• Any gifts or cards for the families are currently being collected at the main office:

Burien Towing
817 SW 149th Street
Burien, WA 98166

• All who knew Mark and Brian are invited to attend the service.
• Prior to the ceremony, a procession will lead the family to the Church from the Airport Towing office at 817 SW 149th Street in Burien. The lead car will leave the office at 10am.
• If you would like to join the procession, please arrive prior to 9:45am at the Airport Towing office for staging.
• All law enforcement vehicles, fire apparatus, tow trucks, and motorcycles are welcome in the procession.
• For more information on the procession, fill out the Contact form and Jared will respond to your inquiry.
• Following the service will be a reception at the Church. All are welcome to attend.
• A fund is currently being set up to benefit Brian’s family. Brian leaves behind a wife of 3 years and two sons, ages 2 and 1. Information on the Storer Family Memorial Fund will be posted when available.
• More information is available at jaredstorer.blogspot.com

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SHELTON, WA ­- Burien Towing’s Mark Storer, 51 and his son Brian, 24, were killed Thursday when their floatplane crashed 10 miles west of Shelton.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash that left the two area residents dead.

Mark Storer founded and operated both Burien and Airport Towing, and leaves behind his wife, Lynette, and a surviving son and daughter.

His son Brian was married with two small children.

According to witnesses, the plane struggled to reach altitude after taking off from Nahwatzel Lake before vanishing behind some trees, crashing then exploding.

From the Burien Towing website:

Airport Towing began as a sole proprietorship in March of 1988.

Mark and Lynette Storer purchased their first tow truck and began running calls out of their house.

Within six months they located a storage lot in the Burien district of unincorporated King County. The lot was up for lease, so an office trailer was built and the property was occupied. The storage lot was necessary to meet Washington State Patrol and King County Sheriff Office requirements for towers.

Many updates were needed in order to meet the high standards of the local police agencies. The couple worked diligently to improve the company far beyond state and local standards.

As the company expanded, other police and government agency contracts became achievable.

Airport Towing has since performed services for the Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, Tukwila Police, Port of Seattle Police, Des Moines Police, Seattle Police, Normandy Park Police, the United States Postal Service, and others.

Just because the Burien Fire Victims Fundraiser is over doesn’t mean the victims don’t need any more help – quite the opposite really, as at least six families are still in need of regular shelter.

We met several victims at last Wednesday’s fundraiser auction, and we sincerely felt their pain.

They’re mostly all still suffering from the tremendous grief of losing family members, friends and all their stuff, so clearly they could still use a helping hand or 12.

We just got this email update from the Seattle Red Cross, so if you have room in your house, know of a generous landlord, or have any ideas, please don’t hesitate to contact them ASAP.

If someone comes to you and says they have a rental available or some other type of permanent housing to offer these folks this is the person to contact:

Kale Rose
kale.rose@seattleredcross.org
206-720-5295

Please note: The Red Cross does not manage donations of goods. 

If you want to donate money please go to Sterling Savings Bank, located at 224 SW 152nd Street in Burien; phone: (206) 243-6869.

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