John McLoughlin1
M, #7471, d. before September 1861
Family | Bridget (?) b. bt 1805 - 1809, d. bt 1871 - 1881 |
Child |
|
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, Ryan Sweeney Tree.
Bridget (?)1
F, #7472, b. between 1805 and 1809, d. between 1871 and 1881
Family | John McLoughlin d. b Sep 1861 |
Child |
|
Bridget (?) was born between 1805 and 1809 in Limerick, Ireland.1 She married John McLoughlin.1 Bridget (?) died between 1871 and 1881 at W. Derby, Liverpool, England.1
Her married name was McLoughlin.1
Her married name was McLoughlin.1
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, Ryan Sweeney Tree.
Ellen (?)1
F, #7473, b. circa 1900
Family | Thomas Francis Ryan b. 4 Aug 1916, d. 30 Dec 1959 |
Child |
|
Ellen (?) was born circa 1900 in IL, USA; age 40 in 1940 census.1 She married Thomas Francis Ryan, son of Thomas Joseph Ryan and Helen Cecilia Canning.1
Her married name was Ryan.1 Ellen (?) and Thomas Francis Ryan were listed in the 1940 US Census age 54, Dunlop? Hotel, laundry work; children -- :
John Thos Ryan 16
Robert Francis Ryan 13
James Alfred Ryan 11
Mary Elizabeth Ryan 3 in Jackonsville, IL, USA.1
Her married name was Ryan.1 Ellen (?) and Thomas Francis Ryan were listed in the 1940 US Census age 54, Dunlop? Hotel, laundry work; children -- :
John Thos Ryan 16
Robert Francis Ryan 13
James Alfred Ryan 11
Mary Elizabeth Ryan 3 in Jackonsville, IL, USA.1
Citations
- [S42] 1940 US Federal Census.
Lou (?)
F, #7474
Family | Thomas Joseph Ryan b. 2 Jun 1888 |
Lou (?) married Thomas Joseph Ryan, son of James John Ryan and Mary Duggan; Partners until their death.
Her married name was Ryan.
Her married name was Ryan.
Lillian Marie Grima1
F, #7475, b. 6 May 1951
Father | Joseph Savior Grima b. 13 Jan 1927, d. 15 Jan 2011 |
Mother | Alice Ann Camilleri1 b. 10 Dec 1927, d. 1 Jul 2020 |
Family | Anthony G. Pisani b. 28 Apr 1948 |
Lillian Marie Grima was born on 6 May 1951 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.1 She married Anthony G. Pisani, son of Charles Pisani and Agnes Ricarda Borg, on 15 September 1973 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Lillian Marie Grima and Anthony G. Pisani were divorced in November 1976 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
As of 15 September 1973,her married name was Pisani.
As of 15 September 1973,her married name was Pisani.
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Joseph J. Grima1
M, #7476, b. 15 September 1962
Father | Joseph Savior Grima b. 13 Jan 1927, d. 15 Jan 2011 |
Mother | Alice Ann Camilleri1 b. 10 Dec 1927, d. 1 Jul 2020 |
Family | Laura A Wall b. c 1964 |
Joseph J. Grima was born on 15 September 1962 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.1 He married Laura A Wall on 29 June 1985 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
Joseph J. Grima was living in 2021 in Roseville, CA, USA.
Joseph J. Grima was living in 2021 in Roseville, CA, USA.
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Michael V. Grima1
M, #7477, b. 7 September 1957
Father | Charles C. Grima b. 14 Nov 1917, d. 9 Mar 1988 |
Mother | Carmen Brincat1 b. 14 May 1920, d. 29 Feb 2000 |
Family | Lori A Fairbanks |
Children |
Michael V. Grima was born on 7 September 1957 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.1 He married Lori A Fairbanks on 12 August 1978 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.1
Michael V. Grima was educated at St. Paul of the Shipwreck School, San Francisco, CA, USA, and Riordan High School. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2024. He contributed a story to the "In Our Own Words" Oral History Project THE MICHAEL GRIMA FAMILY in 2024. Research.
Michael V. Grima was educated at St. Paul of the Shipwreck School, San Francisco, CA, USA, and Riordan High School. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2024. He contributed a story to the "In Our Own Words" Oral History Project THE MICHAEL GRIMA FAMILY in 2024. Research.
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Lori A Fairbanks1
F, #7478
Family | Michael V. Grima b. 7 Sep 1957 |
Children |
Lori A Fairbanks married Michael V. Grima, son of Charles C. Grima and Carmen Brincat, on 12 August 1978 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.1
Lori A Fairbanks at South San Francisco, CA, USA. As of 12 August 1978,her married name was Grima.1
Lori A Fairbanks at South San Francisco, CA, USA. As of 12 August 1978,her married name was Grima.1
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Vincent Grima1
M, #7479, b. 21 November 1976
Father | Vincent E. Grima Jr b. c 1949 |
Mother | Esther Lucille Banayat1 |
Vincent Grima was born on 21 November 1976 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.1
He was living in 2020 in Rohnert Park, CA, USA.
He was living in 2020 in Rohnert Park, CA, USA.
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Janice M. Grima1
F, #7480, b. 1 December 1970
Father | Angelo C Grima b. Oct 1940, d. Dec 1997 |
Mother | Mary Louise Caruana1 b. 15 Sep 1943 |
Janice M. Grima was born on 1 December 1970 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.1 She married Lucas (?)
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Maria C. Grima1
F, #7481, b. 12 July 1968
Father | (?) Grima |
Mother | Doris Busuttil1 |
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
James J. Grima1
M, #7482, b. 6 May 1959
Father | Joseph Savior Grima b. 13 Jan 1927, d. 15 Jan 2011 |
Mother | Alice Ann Camilleri1 b. 10 Dec 1927, d. 1 Jul 2020 |
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Lawrence Grima1
M, #7483, b. 11 October 1958
Mother | (?) Formosa1 |
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Linda L. Dimatteo
F, #7484
Family | Dennis Charles Magri b. 8 May 1950 |
Child |
|
Linda L. Dimatteo married Dennis Charles Magri, son of Guy Magri and Virginia Grech, on 5 May 1984 at Contra Costa Co., CA, USA.
As of 5 May 1984,her married name was Magri.
As of 5 May 1984,her married name was Magri.
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Lori A. Morton
F, #7485
Family | Anthony John Magri b. 11 Mar 1949, d. 9 Oct 2012 |
Child |
Lori A. Morton married Anthony John Magri, son of Guy Magri and Virginia Grech, on 25 September 1982 at Fresno, CA, USA.
As of 25 September 1982,her married name was Magri.
As of 25 September 1982,her married name was Magri.
Diane A. Stone
F, #7486
Family | Anthony John Magri b. 11 Mar 1949, d. 9 Oct 2012 |
Diane A. Stone married Anthony John Magri, son of Guy Magri and Virginia Grech, on 11 November 1973 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Diane A. Stone and Anthony John Magri were divorced on 31 August 1982 at Sacramento Co., CA, USA.
Her married name was Magri.
Her married name was Magri.
Jodi R. Francone
F, #7487
Family | Robert Paul Magri b. 18 Aug 1961 |
Jodi R. Francone married Robert Paul Magri, son of Guy Magri and Virginia Grech, on 29 August 1981 at Fresno Co., CA, USA. Jodi R. Francone and Robert Paul Magri were divorced on 24 May 1984 at Tulare Co., CA, USA.
As of 29 August 1981,her married name was Magri.
As of 29 August 1981,her married name was Magri.
Lupe Rodriguez
F, #7488
Family | Robert Paul Magri b. 18 Aug 1961 |
Lupe Rodriguez married Robert Paul Magri, son of Guy Magri and Virginia Grech, on 6 February 1986 at Minden, Douglas Co., NV, USA.
As of 6 February 1986,her married name was Magri.
As of 6 February 1986,her married name was Magri.
Leon Magri1
M, #7489, b. 11 January 1912
Mother | (?) Domica1 |
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
(?) Domica1
F, #7490
Family | |
Child |
|
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Dominic Dennis Magri1
M, #7491, b. 2 November 1990
Father | Dennis Charles Magri1 b. 8 May 1950 |
Mother | Linda L. Dimatteo1 |
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Ronald Blake Mallia1
M, #7496, b. 14 January 1959
Father | Francis Mallia b. 9 Jul 1927, d. 19 Nov 2010 |
Mother | Lucy Borg1 b. c 1925, d. 22 Jan 1999 |
Family | Lillie Pinell b. 1961 |
Child |
|
Ronald Blake Mallia was born on 14 January 1959 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.1 He married Lillie Pinell.
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 21 August 2007: Anti-gentrification forces stymie housing development - Some say decade-old group in Mission is going too far - By Robert Selna
Ron Mallia wants to build eight apartments and condominiums on an empty parking lot next to his Mission District auto shop and rent some of the apartments to his mechanics. His project scents like the kind that would be endorsed by the Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition. but the group has fought Mallia. insisting that his project not go forward until the city evaluates how new development on the city’s east side will affect industrial land. jobs and housing. The fight is one of many recent battles being waged by the coalition, a handful of community organizations focused on immigrants' rights, development and social servicest that was formed a decade ago to resist gentrfication during the dotcom boom. Supervisor Chris Daly, a former tenant activist, takes credit for helping found the group, which has a reputation for staging street protests and illegally occupying private property. More recently, it has used environmental laws to stall more than 50 market-rate housing projects...
(Ron Mattie agreed to $150,000 in fees that will help fund city services to win approval for eight apartments and condos on this lot.)
Mission group wins new concessions
from Page B1
...before narrowly losing a bid this month to block a condominium protect on Cesar Chavez Street that will replace a shuttered paint store. But some longtime Mission residents and business owners question whether the group is going too far, blocking developments that would add middle- income and affordable housing to the neighborhood, in addition to cleaning it up and making it safer. They don’t want any development at all in the Mission because any development makes the area better. ... They don’t want that because they believe that by improving the area, the cost of housing might go up,” said Mallia, who has owned gas stations and car repair shops in the Mission for 25 years. In April, facing pressure from the coalition, the city Planning Commission approved Mallia’s project but with the condition tha: he pay more than $I50,000 in fees that will help fund city services. Although Mailia believed he was getting a raw deal — similar projects have not had to pay such fees, he said — he did not want his protect to stall while he paid taxes on Ihe vacant lot. Malha's property, at 756 Valencia St, is among 2.200 acres in four South of Market neighborhoods...
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 3 September 2007: Mission obstructionists -- Editor — In an Aug. 27 letter, Julie Leadbetter took to task Robert Selna’s Aug. 21 article, “Anti-gentrification forces stymie housing development, Selna’s well-researched article showed how the Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition, for which Leadbetter fronts, has tried to stop me from building housing that I hope to rent, in part, to my employees. This proposed building will be on what is today a vacant lot next door to my auto shop on Valencia Street. Selna’s article received 280 comments on S.F Gate. The vast majority of those comments charged the Mission Anti- Displacement Coalition with worsening the housing situation with their obstructionist tactics. In sharp contrast, virtually all of my immediate neighbors residents and business owners alike provided letters of support for my project. After doing business in the area for 25 sears, it has been gratifying to see the neighborhood stand up for improvement. I’m proud to be part of it.
RON MALLIA Excellent Automotive San Francisco.
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 8 March 2012: THE INSIDE SCOOP By Paolo Lucchesi: Former garages become dining magnets
Mission District landlord Ron Mallia says he likes to pick tenants who offer something unique:'a bakery, a chocolatier, a brewery, a wine specialist, a cheese shop and soon. Mallia might not be a household name, but he’s quietly playing a starring role in the continued development of the food scene in San Francisco’s Mission District.
When the economy went downhill, he converted his two historic buildings on Valencia Street — both former auto shops — into eating and drinking establishments.
“Automotive is not what it used to be. There is not as much car repair today,” he says. So Mallia morphed his old garages into restaurant spaces, then sought out small local businesses, turning down the likes of Urban Outfitters and Starbucks. In one of his properties, built in 1927, he’s installed co-op bakery Arizmendi and boutique shop Gypsy Honeymoon (1268 and 1266 Valencia St.) In spring, wine guy David Lynch, formerly of Quince, will open St. Vincent in the building’s southernmost space (1270 Valencia St.) Then there’s the second building a few blocks away Mallia has converted it into three spaces, although none are open yet. The biggest space will go to Abbot’s Cellar (740 Valencia), an upscale beer-centric restaurant from nearby Monk’s Kettle. Chef Adam Dulye is designing a menu specializing in beer pairings, with a la carte and tasting options. Lundberg Design will be responsible for the look of the 100-seat space, which will include an open kitchen and a dedicated beer room. Abbot's Cellar will be bookended by Dandelion Chocolate, an award-winning chocolate factory, and a new patisserie from William Werner.
Werner wil open the much-anticipited spot (746 Valencia St.) after a rocky journey. The pastry chefs background is in fine dining — Quince and the Ritz-Carlton are on his resume — but in 2010, he partnered vith Whisk Group to oper the Tell Tale Preserve Co. He had a spot at the Ferry Plaza Farmen Market and sold good, to cafes around town. When the partnership dissolved last summer, Werner was left out in the cold, forced to close Tell Tale abruptly and unable to buy the name or company.
But now he is back, and ready to open bis 1,200- square-foot patisserie in May, with roujhly 22 seats and a sprawling 20-foot pastry case... He and (?) Maltese Owned Businesses were Maltese Business Owned Excellent Automotive repair service on Valencia St. for 25 years; which he converted into apartments and shops.
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 21 March 2015: S.F. memory expert to compete against the best by Steve Rubenstein
Ron Mallia, a world class memory expert, practices memorizing a deck of cards at the table he sits at five days a week at the San Francisco Tennis Club in San Francisco. Ron Mallia, a world class memory expert, is able to memorize an entire deck of cards and a random, 100 digit number in five minutes and will be participating this month in a memory competition in New York. Ron Mallia, who can memorize 52 shuffled playing cards in five minutes, is ready for the big time.
He’s taking his playing cards to New York City, where countless others before him have made their mark. Now it’s his turn. If you’re the best at what you do, greatness awaits. And Mallia is the best. “Queen of hearts,” said Ron Mallia, and then he turned the card over and, sure enough, the lady in red smiled up at him from the tabletop. In many games of fortune she can be a fickle female, but when Mallia turns over cards, one by one, there is no element of chance.
“Nine of diamonds, four of clubs, jack of spades” he said, summoning them forward like errant schoolboys, and there they were. He was perfect. He always is.
Mallia, a retired mechanic from San Francisco, was sitting at a restaurant table, a shuffled red deck before him. He was doing some last-minute practicing before flying off for the USA Memory Championship this week, where he and 75 other whizzes will seek to discover who among them is best at memorizing decks of shuffled cards and lists of random numbers.The winner gets a shiny medal and zero dollars, an easy enough number to remember. While The Chronicle shuffled the next deck, Mallia sought to answer the question that countless card memorizers before him have had to deal with: What’s the point of memorizing a deck of cards?
“There’s no practical value,” Mallia said. “But it does keep your mind sharp. I’m trying to take care of my mind.”
It’s like a crossword puzzle or a TV quiz show. There is no reason for any of it, except for the use-it-or-lose-it plan for the human brain.
Mallia, a first-time entrant in the contest at 56, is seeking to stave off for as long as possible whatever is scheduled to happen to him after 56. His coach is San Francisco memory consultant Chester Santos, who conducts $400-a-day seminars for business people who have trouble remembering clients’ names and faces.
To memorize a deck of cards, Mallia uses the old technique of associating each card with a specific object and then linking them in sequence by imagining some sort of action. In his mind, Mallia sees a progression of toes kicking lightbulbs and tops spinning into candy canes. Presented with a freshly shuffled deck, Mallia sits silently, shakes his head and begins rocking side to side. He could pass for a snake charmer facing a cobra. As he flips over each card, he stabs at it with two fingers, like Moe trying to poke Curly’s eyes. The rocking and the stabbing help him focus, he said.
With the clock ticking, he must make sure of each image. If he visualizes the toes kicking the candy cane when it should be kicking the lightbulb, it’s game over.
In the next event, Mallia gets five minutes to memorize a list of 100 random digits. The Chronicle again jotted them down and Mallia did his finger-stabbing, snake-charming thing again. Then he started rocking, as if reading holy writ from the pulpit. As with the cards, Mallia commits to memory action images represented by four-digit combinations of numbers. He began, “10301990,” then, “03221994.” At the New York championship, he’ll also be called upon to memorize a 50-line poem and a big book of names and mug shots. Just as important as remembering is forgetting the meaningless things he just remembered. That way, Mallia said, he keeps his mind clear for the next set of meaningless things. There’s no point overdosing on useless information. For example, Mallia forgot a Chronicle reporter’s name and phone number. “I only remember what I need to remember,” said the man of memory.
Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com. He was living in 2022 in Hillsborough, CA, USA.
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 21 August 2007: Anti-gentrification forces stymie housing development - Some say decade-old group in Mission is going too far - By Robert Selna
Ron Mallia wants to build eight apartments and condominiums on an empty parking lot next to his Mission District auto shop and rent some of the apartments to his mechanics. His project scents like the kind that would be endorsed by the Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition. but the group has fought Mallia. insisting that his project not go forward until the city evaluates how new development on the city’s east side will affect industrial land. jobs and housing. The fight is one of many recent battles being waged by the coalition, a handful of community organizations focused on immigrants' rights, development and social servicest that was formed a decade ago to resist gentrfication during the dotcom boom. Supervisor Chris Daly, a former tenant activist, takes credit for helping found the group, which has a reputation for staging street protests and illegally occupying private property. More recently, it has used environmental laws to stall more than 50 market-rate housing projects...
(Ron Mattie agreed to $150,000 in fees that will help fund city services to win approval for eight apartments and condos on this lot.)
Mission group wins new concessions
from Page B1
...before narrowly losing a bid this month to block a condominium protect on Cesar Chavez Street that will replace a shuttered paint store. But some longtime Mission residents and business owners question whether the group is going too far, blocking developments that would add middle- income and affordable housing to the neighborhood, in addition to cleaning it up and making it safer. They don’t want any development at all in the Mission because any development makes the area better. ... They don’t want that because they believe that by improving the area, the cost of housing might go up,” said Mallia, who has owned gas stations and car repair shops in the Mission for 25 years. In April, facing pressure from the coalition, the city Planning Commission approved Mallia’s project but with the condition tha: he pay more than $I50,000 in fees that will help fund city services. Although Mailia believed he was getting a raw deal — similar projects have not had to pay such fees, he said — he did not want his protect to stall while he paid taxes on Ihe vacant lot. Malha's property, at 756 Valencia St, is among 2.200 acres in four South of Market neighborhoods...
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 3 September 2007: Mission obstructionists -- Editor — In an Aug. 27 letter, Julie Leadbetter took to task Robert Selna’s Aug. 21 article, “Anti-gentrification forces stymie housing development, Selna’s well-researched article showed how the Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition, for which Leadbetter fronts, has tried to stop me from building housing that I hope to rent, in part, to my employees. This proposed building will be on what is today a vacant lot next door to my auto shop on Valencia Street. Selna’s article received 280 comments on S.F Gate. The vast majority of those comments charged the Mission Anti- Displacement Coalition with worsening the housing situation with their obstructionist tactics. In sharp contrast, virtually all of my immediate neighbors residents and business owners alike provided letters of support for my project. After doing business in the area for 25 sears, it has been gratifying to see the neighborhood stand up for improvement. I’m proud to be part of it.
RON MALLIA Excellent Automotive San Francisco.
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 8 March 2012: THE INSIDE SCOOP By Paolo Lucchesi: Former garages become dining magnets
Mission District landlord Ron Mallia says he likes to pick tenants who offer something unique:'a bakery, a chocolatier, a brewery, a wine specialist, a cheese shop and soon. Mallia might not be a household name, but he’s quietly playing a starring role in the continued development of the food scene in San Francisco’s Mission District.
When the economy went downhill, he converted his two historic buildings on Valencia Street — both former auto shops — into eating and drinking establishments.
“Automotive is not what it used to be. There is not as much car repair today,” he says. So Mallia morphed his old garages into restaurant spaces, then sought out small local businesses, turning down the likes of Urban Outfitters and Starbucks. In one of his properties, built in 1927, he’s installed co-op bakery Arizmendi and boutique shop Gypsy Honeymoon (1268 and 1266 Valencia St.) In spring, wine guy David Lynch, formerly of Quince, will open St. Vincent in the building’s southernmost space (1270 Valencia St.) Then there’s the second building a few blocks away Mallia has converted it into three spaces, although none are open yet. The biggest space will go to Abbot’s Cellar (740 Valencia), an upscale beer-centric restaurant from nearby Monk’s Kettle. Chef Adam Dulye is designing a menu specializing in beer pairings, with a la carte and tasting options. Lundberg Design will be responsible for the look of the 100-seat space, which will include an open kitchen and a dedicated beer room. Abbot's Cellar will be bookended by Dandelion Chocolate, an award-winning chocolate factory, and a new patisserie from William Werner.
Werner wil open the much-anticipited spot (746 Valencia St.) after a rocky journey. The pastry chefs background is in fine dining — Quince and the Ritz-Carlton are on his resume — but in 2010, he partnered vith Whisk Group to oper the Tell Tale Preserve Co. He had a spot at the Ferry Plaza Farmen Market and sold good, to cafes around town. When the partnership dissolved last summer, Werner was left out in the cold, forced to close Tell Tale abruptly and unable to buy the name or company.
But now he is back, and ready to open bis 1,200- square-foot patisserie in May, with roujhly 22 seats and a sprawling 20-foot pastry case... He and (?) Maltese Owned Businesses were Maltese Business Owned Excellent Automotive repair service on Valencia St. for 25 years; which he converted into apartments and shops.
Ronald Blake Mallia was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 21 March 2015: S.F. memory expert to compete against the best by Steve Rubenstein
Ron Mallia, a world class memory expert, practices memorizing a deck of cards at the table he sits at five days a week at the San Francisco Tennis Club in San Francisco. Ron Mallia, a world class memory expert, is able to memorize an entire deck of cards and a random, 100 digit number in five minutes and will be participating this month in a memory competition in New York. Ron Mallia, who can memorize 52 shuffled playing cards in five minutes, is ready for the big time.
He’s taking his playing cards to New York City, where countless others before him have made their mark. Now it’s his turn. If you’re the best at what you do, greatness awaits. And Mallia is the best. “Queen of hearts,” said Ron Mallia, and then he turned the card over and, sure enough, the lady in red smiled up at him from the tabletop. In many games of fortune she can be a fickle female, but when Mallia turns over cards, one by one, there is no element of chance.
“Nine of diamonds, four of clubs, jack of spades” he said, summoning them forward like errant schoolboys, and there they were. He was perfect. He always is.
Mallia, a retired mechanic from San Francisco, was sitting at a restaurant table, a shuffled red deck before him. He was doing some last-minute practicing before flying off for the USA Memory Championship this week, where he and 75 other whizzes will seek to discover who among them is best at memorizing decks of shuffled cards and lists of random numbers.The winner gets a shiny medal and zero dollars, an easy enough number to remember. While The Chronicle shuffled the next deck, Mallia sought to answer the question that countless card memorizers before him have had to deal with: What’s the point of memorizing a deck of cards?
“There’s no practical value,” Mallia said. “But it does keep your mind sharp. I’m trying to take care of my mind.”
It’s like a crossword puzzle or a TV quiz show. There is no reason for any of it, except for the use-it-or-lose-it plan for the human brain.
Mallia, a first-time entrant in the contest at 56, is seeking to stave off for as long as possible whatever is scheduled to happen to him after 56. His coach is San Francisco memory consultant Chester Santos, who conducts $400-a-day seminars for business people who have trouble remembering clients’ names and faces.
To memorize a deck of cards, Mallia uses the old technique of associating each card with a specific object and then linking them in sequence by imagining some sort of action. In his mind, Mallia sees a progression of toes kicking lightbulbs and tops spinning into candy canes. Presented with a freshly shuffled deck, Mallia sits silently, shakes his head and begins rocking side to side. He could pass for a snake charmer facing a cobra. As he flips over each card, he stabs at it with two fingers, like Moe trying to poke Curly’s eyes. The rocking and the stabbing help him focus, he said.
With the clock ticking, he must make sure of each image. If he visualizes the toes kicking the candy cane when it should be kicking the lightbulb, it’s game over.
In the next event, Mallia gets five minutes to memorize a list of 100 random digits. The Chronicle again jotted them down and Mallia did his finger-stabbing, snake-charming thing again. Then he started rocking, as if reading holy writ from the pulpit. As with the cards, Mallia commits to memory action images represented by four-digit combinations of numbers. He began, “10301990,” then, “03221994.” At the New York championship, he’ll also be called upon to memorize a 50-line poem and a big book of names and mug shots. Just as important as remembering is forgetting the meaningless things he just remembered. That way, Mallia said, he keeps his mind clear for the next set of meaningless things. There’s no point overdosing on useless information. For example, Mallia forgot a Chronicle reporter’s name and phone number. “I only remember what I need to remember,” said the man of memory.
Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com. He was living in 2022 in Hillsborough, CA, USA.
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Christina S Vamvilis
F, #7497, b. circa 1961
Family | Alfred Frank Mallia b. 25 May 1954 |
Child |
|
Christina S Vamvilis was born circa 1961. She married Alfred Frank Mallia, son of Francis Mallia and Lucy Borg, on 24 September 1983 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
As of 24 September 1983,her married name was Mallia.
As of 24 September 1983,her married name was Mallia.
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Erica Mariangela Mallia1
F, #7498, b. 22 June 1994
Father | Alfred Frank Mallia b. 25 May 1954 |
Mother | Christina S Vamvilis1 b. c 1961 |
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
(?) Bulgari1
F, #7499
Family | |
Child |
|
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.
Giovanna Mallia1
F, #7500, b. 7 August 1921
Mother | (?) Bulgari1 |
Citations
- [S3] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.