Summary: Ed Stokes was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November 2004. He founded Diablo Foods in 1968, and 37 years later he was still working six days a week. In addition to operating the store, he was an active participant in and supporter of many Lafayette civic organizations, and was honored to be selected as […]
Oral History: E. G. Craig – November, 2004
Summary: E.G. Craig was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November, 2004. He moved to Lafayette and opened an architectural office in 1956. Over the next 4 decades he developed over 30 homes in the city, along with three office complexes. He practiced for 12 years before Lafayette became a city, then for three decades after. […]
Oral History: Miler Magrath – October, 2005
Summary: Miler Magrath was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in October, 2005. In 1990 Miler took over management of Diamond K Supply from his father William, who had operated the business for over 40 years. Miler describes how the customer base shifted over the years from farmers and ranchers to builders and developers, and how Diamond […]
Oral History: Mark Silverman — October, 2022
Summary: Mark Silverman was interviewed by Andree Hurst in October, 2022. Mark’s parents, Herman and Eleanor Silverman, bought the “Lafayette Sun” newspaper in 1947 when they were both in their mid-twenties. From the beginning they were both involved in the editorial and business activity required to put out a weekly paper. They were not afraid […]
Oral History: Mary-Louise Lynch and Timothy Lynch, Jr. — October 25th, 2022
Summary: Mary-Louise and her son Timothy Lynch, Jr. were interviewed by Andree Hurst on October 25, 2022. Mary-Louise and her husband Timothy John Lynch, Sr. built a house in Lafayette in 1953 and raised 7 children, one of whom is Tim. Her husband worked as a liquor wholesaler supplying local restaurants like Petar’s and the […]
Oral History: Hirsh Morton – April, 2006
Summary: Hirsh Morton was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in April, 2006. Hirsh came to Lafayette in 1952 as the designer for well-known builder Jack Marchant. Later he operated an architectural firm in partnership with Frank Essert. Hirsh served on the city planning commission, and he also sought out opportunities to contribute his services to public […]
Oral History: Sallie Gavey Rasmussen – July, 2008
Summary: Sallie Gavey Rasmussen was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in July, 2008. Her father, Warren Gavey, operated an auto body shop at 3442 Mt. Diablo Boulevard from 1946 to 1965, on a lot which contained both their home and the auto repair business. Sallie remembers what it was like to grow up and go through […]
Oral History: Jim Shierry – November, 2004
Summary: Jim Shierry was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November, 2004. Jim learned the clothing business at an early age by working alongside his father, who was a manufacturer’s rep. After serving in the Army Air Corps during the Second World War he decided to open his own clothing store, Shierry Men’s Apparel, in La […]
Oral History: Vic Pagliero – September, 2005
Summary: Vic Pagaierò was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in September 2005. He was born in Oakland in 1923. At age 13 he moved to Moraga and began a long career as a ranch hand and farmer. He married Ruby in 1949, and that year he also went to work operating a rototiller for landowners in […]
Oral History: Joe Campana – November, 2004
Summary: Joe Campana was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November, 2004. He owned and ran Campana Music for 57 years. Born in 1920, Joe served in Europe and Africa in World War II and came back to Lafayette determined to own his own business. He had learned how to play the accordion as a boy […]
