Page 4 - The Friday Flyer ● JUNE 21, 2019

A-4 THE FRIDAY FLYER JUNE 21, 2019
Community mourns loss of Al Van Beenen...

ttFROM PAGE A1
helping to organize ski events.
Al was a dear friend of The Friday
Flyer where he worked for more than
18 years. “Almost two decades ago,
Al walked in the doors of The Friday
Flyer to place a classified ad, I believe,
and mentioned his graphics and print-
ing background,” Chuck Golding, The
Friday Flyer publisher, said.
“Hey, if you ever need extra help
with layout, let me know. I’d love to In true
help,” Al said. Al was hired immedi- Canyon
ately on a part-time basis and has been Lake style,
with the newspaper ever since. Al “Santa”
“Al is one of the most generous Van Beenen
and friendliest people I’ve ever met,” arrives to
Chuck said. “He was a friend to every- breakfast by
body on our staff. He worked hard and ski boat.
sometimes crazy hours, but always did
so with a smile on his face and an up-
beat attitude.”
“In my teenage years, I worked for
The Perris Progress,” Chuck said. “For
part of our layout, we used old lead-
metal based type. The machine we
used was a Linotype machine. I can’t
tell you the dozens and dozens of con-
versations Al and I had talking about PHOTO BY DONNA KUPKE
those old lead machines. It’s a differ-
ent world now, of course, but I’ll really
miss my connection to those old com-
puter-less days. For Al to come from ond wife Pam thanks to Gretta and Chuck families and their progress. They mar- attend his service on July 27 at Canyon
those ‘ancient’ times and be able to sit Marler, former residents of Canyon Lake, ried on a Friday evening, but before Lake Community Church. A reception
at our computers and electronically lay who had a friend at Riverside Medical leaving on their honeymoon, Al skied in will be held at the church following the
out our newspapers, is a true testament Clinic with a hobby of arranging blind a Canyon Lake water ski tournament. service. The time will be determined at
to the immense talent of this man.” dates. Arrangements were made for Al While on their honeymoon at Del a later date. “He wanted a party,” said
Al was born Sept. 15, 1935, in Roch- and Pam to meet at Mimi’s Cafe in Riv- Coronado, Fred Willis conducted a fili- Al’s daughter Trina. “So we’re having a
ester, New York. He had four children, erside. buster at the Ski Club meeting and voted party.”
one step-child, eight grandchildren and Since Al was already established in Al in as club president. Al’s parting words on any occasion
12 great-grandchildren. Canyon Lake and a member of the water Al and Pamela were married for 23 were, “God loves you and so do I.” His
Al and his first wife Nancy were skiing community, Pam adjusted rapidly years. She passed away in June 2017. passing is a loss for the community and
married for 33 years. He met his sec- and joined Al in his interest in the skiing Al’s family invites the community to he will be deeply missed by many.