To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Valerie G Matonis
July 9, 2022
This is a message for Linn:
We miss seeing you. We hope your life is good.
Love, Val
Mark
February 25, 2021
Battenburg was a pretty wild guy. I know, because he cast some of his first Bronze at my Mother's Metal Foundry in San Jose, California in 1969. I was 12. But, I watched the Foundry folks do some extremely dangerous things. One night casting, they get a "Leaker". The "investment casting fixture" which holds the art piece failed and a hot stream of liquid Bronze spurted from the casting making a 3 foot arc of metal (about an 1 1/2" in diameter) Splattering onto the floor sending droplets of liquid metal bouncing around the floor. I was terrified standing only 10 feet from the action. Any one of those liquid droplets would immediately burn into your arm or your face because the melting of bronze is about 2,200 Fahrenheit (about 100 times hotter than boiling water).
Now, the tradition of Mom's Foundry was; everyone gets drunk, then casts the metal, then drinks some more. Tonight the leaker was the highlight, but what Battenburg did next will live in my mind as the most reckless or perhaps the guttiest thing I'd seen a Man do in my life. He ran to the casting fixture, spun a military 180, then performed an expert back kick with the bottom of his cowboy shoes right at the ofending hole. When he dropped his leg to catch his balance, the leak had stopped. John did this entire maneuver while holding a half full glass of wine.
Valerie Matonis
July 9, 2020
We still miss this bright star!
All of our love to Lynn, Val and Greg Matonis
Valerie Matonis
July 9, 2019
On this anniversary of John's passing- We miss the man and we will miss his art. Love to Lynn.
Peter Gauci
August 4, 2012
Dear Lynn:
I knew, with heavy heart, when I received your letter that it would say John had passed on. But I thank you both for your friendship. I met John in a very unorthodox way via his phone call to L.L.Bean and later I had the pleasure to meet him when he came to Maine and stayed as our guest for the night. Thank you for enclosing the photo of us two together. I'll treasure it. When I came to visit you in CA and AZ you were kind to me beyond words. I am still, and always will be, thrilled and humbled that he thought enough of me to include me on "The Gates" and also to include me as one of his "100 Heads" project. He really was one of a kind and I treasure his memory and his friendship despite our being on separate sides of the political aisle! Many heated discussions over that!
Laurie sends her condolences and we will pray for you both and thank God for giving us the joy of knowing you.
Peter Gauci
Scarborough, ME
August 3, 2012
Lynn,
Honey, I'm so sorry.
Please call or email. Love, Val Matonis
[email protected]
Bev Berrish
July 30, 2012
Hi Lynn, just wanted to say at this sad time, if you ever wanted me to come visit in Ariz. Let me know. Your old friend Beverly. This is my email if you want to keep in touch. [email protected]
David Ogle
July 29, 2012
Hi Lyn. I just heard of John's passing. My heartfelt condolences. I am sad to not have had a chance to tell John of his tremendous influence on my life before he passed. I didn't even know he had been ill for a long time. I haven't talked to Alan for the past couple years since I quit showing w/ The Art Foundry Gallery in Sacto. I hope you are doing well. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Hugs, David [email protected] 408-8938133
Bev Berrish
July 29, 2012
Dear Lynn, thank You for all you were to him and all you did for him. He truly loved You Dear. Love and Good Memories. Bev
Kevin O'Donovan
July 24, 2012
Sigurd, Beverly, Ruth, Stuart, Went on line this morning to view some more of you dad's sculpture and art, unfortunatly ran into a sad situation. All 4 of you taught me an aweful lot about appreciating art, sculpture and creativity (Beverly). So sorry to hear about this. Sigurd, your dad was a legend
Kevin O'Donovan
[email protected]
Barbara Rogers
July 19, 2012
Dear Lynn,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of John. From being on the faculty with him at San Jose State to all the laughing we did on the trip to Cuba; I will always have fond memories of him!
I am so very sorry for your loss!
Hugs,
Barbara
Mark Switlik
July 18, 2012
Hi Lyn; So sorry to hear about John. I enjoyed being his studio neighbor and the dinners at your house. He was such a talent and didn't mind sharing.
Mark Switlik
michael and Gloria D'Amrosi
July 15, 2012
So sorry Lyn, J0hn had a long productive life, He really seemed to care about people. Gloria and I respected him and enjoyed both of you two up at the san jose mountians.Try and stay tuff and keep busy, it helps.Michael and Gloria
marc dambrosi
July 15, 2012
One of a kind!!! You always knew where ya stood w/ John. He was always more than generous w/ me and his friends, if he liked ya, ya knew it,if he didn't ya knew that too. His art speaks for itself..I will miss him...
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more