Frank Douglas Destra 1942 -2023 Frank “DooWop” Destra grew up in Chicago, learning to dance and pantomime to ‘50s popular music. At 14, he was dancing on a teenage dance show televised in Chicago. He invented a dip where he dropped his partner backward to the floor and she swung both feet as high as his head and then he lifted her back to her feet. They were chosen to represent Waller High School in the Harvest Moon Festival held at the Chicago Stadium; 22,000 people attended this charity event sponsored by the Sun Times. The show’s headliners were Sarah Vaghn, Edie Gorme, Red Buttons and the Harry James Orchestra. He and his partner won a gold medal in the High School Jitterbug category. The next summer, they were in the dance group that opened the Pan-American games at Soldiers Field. No Jitterbugging, but he learned to cha-cha, mambo, and samba. Then he and his partner were invited to open the Howard Miller Rock and Roll Show held at the Chicago Civic Opera House on March 1, 1959. The show’s performers included Bobby Darrin, Connie Francis, Frankie Avalon, Conway Twitty, The Everly Brothers, Jack Scott, The Ponytails and Bobby Day. He rehearsed for three days with these performers who were just getting started. He even had a drink with Connie Francis. He also learned to speed up records so his pantomime routines were funny. By adding some costumes and props, he earned some extra money entertaining at the Chicago Italian Club, the YMCA and some resorts and private parties. After high school, he and his mom joined his older sister in California. Frank joined the Air Force. After the Air Force, he cooked with his mom at her Italian restaurant. In the evenings he found night clubs where he could enter the twist contests. It was at the El Rey Night Club where he met Martha and fell in love. They were married in Las Vegas, which was the popular place for a wedding and honeymoon in 1965. They started a family and had Frankie in 1966, Angel in 1967 and Michael in 1968. Frank worked at Douglas Aircraft fabricating parts and also helped with the cooking at his mom’s new restaurant, La Pizza Mia, in Fountain Valley. The restaurant had a jukebox, a piano and a bar, so sometimes he would entertain there for family and friends. In 1975, his mom agreed to remodel her second restaurant into the diet restaurant that Frank and Martha wanted to try. It was very successful in helping the customers stick to their Weight Watcher diets. In 1985, they sold the resby taurants so mom could retire and Frank became a school bus driver. For the past 22 years, Frank and Martha have enjoyed retirement at Leisure World. Through The Let the Good Times Roll Club, Frank found a venue where he could entertain with his skits. Thanks to Paul Salay and Carl Bourhenne, he even found out he could sing. In 2012 he won the Best Act trophy in a contest sponsored by the Theater Club. Frank’s cooking became famous when he was asked to made a spaghetti and meatball dinner for the residents of Mutual 2. He was elected president of the Italian-American Club, where he changed the refreshments from a Danish and coffee to homemade soups with Italian bread and butter. After being elected president of the Let the Good Times Roll Club, he planned a corned beef and cabbage dinner to raise money for new karaoke equipment. With Terry Otte and Abilene entertaining for dancing, Clubhouse 2 was sold out. Green beer, red wine and green pistachio icecreamwereserved, and the club earned enough for new equipment. Frank was treasurer for We the People and for the LW Coin Club. He was in a few performances for the Theater Club and for the Chorale. In 2014, he presented a petition signed by 200 residents asking the Recreation Committee to change one of the Saturday Night Ballroom dances to a Rock and Roll dance night. Frank and Martha enjoyed traveling with cruises. They went to Alaska, New York and New England, the Caribbean and Aruba, Mexico and even organized group cruises along the California coast to San Francisco. In the fall of 2018 the couple took their dream trip to Italy for 18 days. They arranged a side trip to visit Bagheria, the city where Frank’s mother was born. For the past few years, Frank’s favorite pastime was going to karaoke to sing and meet friends. He is survived by his wife, Martha; his children Frank Jr., Angel and Michael; his grandchildren Nikki, Tristan, Danica, and Rachel; and his great-granddaughter Rowan. We will all miss Frank, who was a great people-lover and friend. He made life so fun for all who knew him. The family will hold a memorial reception for Frank on Saturday, May 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 2. All of Frank’s friends and fans are welcome to join. People can RSVP to Martha at marthad111442@icloud. com or by calling 562-225-0037. —paid obituary

Chuck Nugent 1950-2023 Chuck Nugent was born in 1950 in Torrance, California. He grew up with an older brother Bob and a younger sister Pam in and around the South Bay. Chuck is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Teri, his sister Pam, many nieces and nephews, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lots of cousins and friends. After being honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, Chuck became a tow truck driver and worked for the same company as his brother Bob for many years. Chuck loved to shoot pool, play table top shuffleboard, throw darts and fish. He also loved riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, and owned many during his lifetime. When he and Teri retired, they moved to Leisure World Seal Beach. He joined the American Legion Post 327, the Shuffleboard and Cribbage Clubs, and volunteered at the Long Beach VA, where he spent many hours collecting and distributing clothes and food for homeless veterans. Anyone who knew Chuck has heard him say, “One homeless vet is one too many.” Chuck was also proud of being a 25-year member of the Gardena Elks Lodge No. 1919. Chuck loved playing Bingo at the Los Alamitos Recreation Center, where he served several terms as a vice president of the Los Alamitos Senior Club, and was senior prom king in 2022. He lived a rich, full life, and touched many people with his good nature and sharp wit. He had a laugh that could fill a room, and a wonderful singing voice, especially when he did a Johnny Cash song, always one of his most favorite performers. Chuck was loved by many, and he will be missed by all that knew him. Chuck passed away on March 27, 2023, and was interred at Miramar National Cemetery on May 12, 2023, with full military honors. May he forever rest in peace.

Danny (Dan) Lee Ballinger 1936-2023 Danny (Dan) Lee Ballinger was a resident of LW since 1994, where his wife, Norma, still resides. Dan was born on Sept. 7, 1936, and passed away at home on April 21, 2023. He is also survived by three children, four grandsons, nine great-grandchildren and one brother. A graveside service was held on April 30 at Forest Lawn in Long Beach with all survivors except two great-grandchildren present. Dan was an ordained Christian Church minister, graduated from Redlands High School in 1954, married Norma Louise McNutt in 1956, received a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Christian College/Hope International University, along with Norma, in 1958 and a master’s degree in theology from Eastern New Mexico University in 1966. He was accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors in 1984. Dan pastored churches here in Leisure World, and also in Indiana and New Mexico. He was until recently, associate pastor of LW Assembly of God. Music and singing were a great part of his life, and he led the monthly Hymn Sing here in LW for several years.

Frank Douglas Destra Memorial Service A memorial reception for Frank Destra will be held on Saturday, May 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 2. All of Frank’s friends and fans are welcome. People can RSVP to Martha at marthad111442@icloud.com or by calling 562-225-0037.

Lynda Elmer 1942-2023 Rev. Lynda Elmer was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on March 15, 1942 and died in LongBeach, on April 15, 2023. She held a bachelor of arts degree from Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. She taught classical languages on the secondary level for 10 years, during which she married Cedric N. Elmer, also from Reading. In 1976, she and her husband adopted a baby girl whom they named Carolyn, and Rev. Elmer became a stay at home mom for 10 years, during which she returned to active participation in her local Lutheran (LCA) congregation. In 1986, she received the call from the same congregation to serve professionally as Lay Assistant to the Pastor, later Associate in Ministry, into which she was rostered through the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod in 1989. Her position ignited her life-long calling to enter the ordained ministry of word and Sacrament which necessitated a four-year seminary education. In 1993, she entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, graduated in 1997 with a Masters of Divinity degree and was ordained on Aug. 3, 1997. She served a rural parish for three years and a suburban parish for 10 years in the Reading area retiring from parish ministry December 2010. She and her husband moved to California in March 2014 because of family: Carolyn and husband Matthew Grayson in Seal Beach and sister, Marcia Gehris. Lynda led Bible studies at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Leisure World where she drew a crowd of 25 residents. Lynda preached, sang solos and in the choir and played piano duets with her husband Cedric during her retirement years at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In 2015 she became a grandmother to Tabitha Grayson. Services will be held in Seal Beach, CA on a date to be determined. Details for funeral services and a link to join via Zoom to come.

David Yoon Kie Song 1934-2023 David Yoon Kie Song was born in the city of Seoul, Korea, on May 14, 1934. He passed away peacefully at his home on a Saturday morning, April 15, 2023, in the company of his loving family at the age of 88 years old. He is survived by his wife, Angela Kyung Ok Song, and is the father of Michelle Kim, Mee Lyu and Darrin Song, and grandfather of Elizabeth Rutkowski, Crystal Woo, Jonathan Lyu, David Lyu and Elias Joon-ho Song. He was a devoted family man who immigrated to the United States to provide a better life for his children. With grit and determination, he created three generations of successful children. He is a true example of fulfilling the American Dream. He is leaving a legacy of hard work, the determination to succeed and his love to his family extending to his great grandchildren. He was passionate about golf, cold beers and his grandchildren up to his final days. During his retirement, he was one of the oldest players at his local golf course. His joy of a cold beer after playing nine holes continued to his last days. He was a good husband, a great father, and had a wonderful life.