[BHS etree] BUSD: BHS Retired Teacher Larry Donaker Passed Away

[bhs at idiom.com]

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to the etree, contact Mark Coplan
[mailto:Mark_Coplan at berkeley.k12.ca.us]

Dear BHS & BUSD Family:

We have lost another member of our community to cancer, retired
Berkeley High teacher Larry Donaker. It is easy to say that Larry was
a very special person because I have known his family for all of my
BUSD life, since I met Anne in 1995 in the kindergarten class next
door to my son's class. She is such a wonderful person that Larry's
genuine love for our students was no surprise when I met him about 10
years ago at BHS. I was pleased to discover that my Step Daughter was
very close friends with their son through school. I know how much she
cares about Larry and Anne, and I know the grief she is feeling today.
Berkeley High's current students wouldn't know Larry, but so many of
our BHS alumni will remember him as one of their favorite teachers;
one of those teachers who's attention made the difference between
success and failure, and they too will grieve.

Once again I remind you to take the time to share your appreciation of
your co-workers and of all the people who touch your lives because
time is often too short, but personally, I don't think that is enough.
We have all lost to many friends family and associates to cancer, and
we have to do something. We can consider getting directly involved in
the fight against this evil manifestation, write a check to support
cancer research, or we can reach out to lend comfort and support to
those in our lives who are suffering or have survived. The most
immediate thing that we can do is to look at our own lifestyles and
the kind of things that we consume, and change our own lives for the
better, while fighting for a better environment around us. We owe it
to each other, because you are just a special as Larry, and we don't
want to loose you.

Mark Coplan, BUSD Public Information Officer 

===============================================================
This from John Muir's Principal:

I wanted to convey some sad news. Larry Donaker, husband of our
kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Anne Donaker, passed away yesterday morning
after a battle with cancer.
Barbara Vogel, Anne's teacher-partner, will be our school community's
main point of contact with the Donaker family as they cope with this
difficult loss. 

Larry was a teacher at Berkeley High School for many years and was an
outstanding public servant. He was also a wonderful volunteer in
Anne's classroom, an avid supporter of John Muir School, and much
loved by all on our staff. To say that we will miss him is an
understatement. 

When further details are available, I will keep you informed.

Sincerely,

Greg John
Principal
==========================================

Mark A. Coplan
Public Information Officer, BUSD
510-644-6320 Cell: 510-472-3811
Mark_Coplan at berkeley.k12.ca.us
Berkeley Unified School District
2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, Ca 94704-1180