Person Page - 35

     Carmelo Borg was born on 20 August 1929 in Zejtun, Malta.¹ He died on 31 July 1986 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 56. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He emigrated from Malta on 3 September 1966 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Carmelo Borg was also known as Carmel Borg.

     Carmel Borg was born on 22 September 1952 in Mosta, Malta.¹
     She emigrated from Malta on 3 September 1966 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Mario Borg was born on 29 August 1955 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He married Joane Marie Dominguez on 1 November 1975 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Mario Borg emigrated from Malta on 3 September 1966 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Josephine Borg was born on 14 April 1954 in Mosta, Malta.¹ She married Stanley Teach on 16 December 1972 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Josephine Borg and Stanley Teach were divorced on 13 January 1981 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Josephine Borg married Lawrence J Andreatta on 15 February 1981 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Josephine Borg emigrated from Malta on 3 September 1966.¹ As of 16 December 1972,her married name was Teach. As of 15 February 1981,her married name was Andreatta.

     Consolata Grech was born on 1 February 1911 in Mosta, Malta; age 29 in 1940 census.^1,2 She married Spiro Bajada, son of Saverio Nicola Antonio Bajada and Carmela Margherita Grazia Giorgia Genovese, on 17 January 1932 at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, San Francisco, CA, USA.^1,3 Consolata Grech died on 2 January 1966 at Burlingame, CA, USA, at age 54. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     She was listed on a passenger list with Angela Sammut on 17 December 1920 at New York, NY, USA; age 34, sister Giovanna Sammut in Malta. Destination San Francisco, to husband Joseph Grech. Consolata Grech emigrated from Malta on 17 December 1920 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Her married name was Bajada.¹ She and Spiro Bajada were listed in the 1940 US Census age 33, lock factory laborer; living next door to father Saverio in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.³ As of between 1940 and 1950, Consolata Grech was also known as Connie Bajada. She and Spiro Bajada were listed in the 1950 US Census age 41, unemployed in San Francisco, CA, USA. Consolata Grech was a mattress factory, material cutter in 1950.
Obituary: on 4 January 1966: Bajada, Connie—In Burlingame. Jan. 2, 1966, Connie Bajada, beloved wife of Spiro Bajada, devoted mother of Fred Bajada and Mrs. Dolores Coffen, endeared sister of Charles and George Grech, loving grandmother of five grandchildren..A native of Malta.

     Dolores Angela Bajada was born on 31 October 1936 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 3 in 1940 census.^1,2 She married Dennis E. Coffen on 25 August 1956 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Dolores Angela Bajada and Dennis E. Coffen were divorced in October 1969 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Dolores Angela Bajada married Oscar F. Herrera in 1976; ; her 2nd marriage.¹ Biography Grew up in the Bayview during the 1940's - 1960's. My parents were married in St. Paul the Shipwreck. I was baptized and married there. I've been into model trains for 15 years and I'm involved in several toy train clubs. I remember growing up in Bay View 1936-1949- My father would walk me up Newcomb to the Bookie.
I have a lot of good memories of Fr. Cachia - I was an Angel once for 1st communion. My cousin made me wings out of plywood - they were so heavy. I remember during the war having rations of coffee, sugar etc. I knew the Azzopardi's market family.
     Dolores Angela Bajada was listed in the 1940 US Census of Spiro Bajada and Consolata Grech in 1940 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 33, lock factory laborer; living next door to father Saverio.² Dolores Angela Bajada was listed in the 1940 US Census of Spiro Bajada and Consolata Grech in 1950 at San Francisco, CA, USA; age 41, unemployed. As of 25 August 1956,her married name was Coffen-Herrera.¹ Her married name was Herrera.¹ As of 2002, Dolores Angela Bajada-Herrera lived at 6624 Graybark Ln, Hughson, CA, USA; Dolores Herrera.¹ Dolores Angela Bajada was a member of the Maltese American Social Club between 2009 and 2022. She contributed her family's genealogy to MHS between 2012 and 2023.¹ Research: At the time of my cousin Alfreds passing from a ruptured appendix I was 15 years old. I only remember my family discussing the shrine in Alfreds memory. MY uncle Tony (Anthony Grech) was a floor manager and owner of several casinos. I don't know how he found the designer/builder of the shrine. All i know is that it was at the St Paul of the Shipwreck church for many years. I came across the shrine at San Damiano when I attended a retreat there over 20 years ago. I didn't know it was relocated there. I told the priest that it was my cousin's and I was so happy to see it there.
Apparently, my cousin Larry knew it was there. Alfreds mother was not maltese and he had 2 sisters and 2 brothers who have passed. My brother and I are the only living immediate family members of Alfred Grech that remember the shrine. I wish I could contribute additional information. The Shrine is in a beautiful setting - nicely done. Thanks to those that contributed.
Dolores Bajada-Grech Herrera

My uncle Anthony Grech and my mother were related to Joe Sammut - Artichoke Joe..He was their uncle. That's where the casino interest was brought to the family. She and (?) Maltese Elders were living in 2024; Same address. Research. Research: My grandfather was Ta Mi-tna
My grandmother was Ta Fre-sha.

     Oscar F. Herrera was born on 18 June 1927 in San Salvador.¹ He married Dolores Angela Bajada, daughter of Spiro Bajada and Consolata Grech, in 1976; ; her 2nd marriage.¹ Oscar F. Herrera died in May 2013 at age 85.
     He emigrated from San Salvador on 1 June 1946 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Joseph Grech was born on 1 January 1879 in Mosta, Malta; age 58 in 1940 census.^3,2 He married Angela Sammut, daughter of Simeone Sammut and Filomena Grech.¹ Joseph Grech was issued a Maltese Passport age 32 on 10 October 1911. Declared destination was New York, NY, USA.² He died on 17 April 1949 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 70.¹ He was buried on 20 April 1949 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Joseph Grech was also known as Giuseppe Grech.² He and George John Grech were listed in the 1940 US Census age 58, divorced, building industry carpenter in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.³
Obituary: on 19 April 1949: GRECH—In this city, April 17, 1949, Joseph, beloved husband of the late Angela Grech, devoted father of Paul, Charles, Anthony, George and Joseph Grech and Mrs. Consolata Bajada; a native of Malta; aged 69 years.

     Angela Sammut was born on 24 March 1886 in Mosta, Malta.^1,3 She married Joseph Grech, son of Carmelo Grech.¹ Angela Sammut was issued a Maltese Passport age 34, housewife; Sent for by her husband on 8 March 1920. Declared destination was USA.³ She died on 9 December 1924 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 38.¹ She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Grech.¹ She was listed on a passenger list at Ellis Island, NY on 17 December 1920 going to New York, NY, USA; age 34, sister Giovanna Sammut in Malta. Destination San Francisco, to husband Joseph Grech. She emigrated from Malta in 1920 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Fred Joseph Bajada was born on 23 October 1941 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He married Diane Williams on 5 May 1962 at San Mateo, CA, USA.¹ Fred Joseph Bajada and Diane Williams were divorced in April 1974. Fred Joseph Bajada married Maryjo Mcphee on 21 June 1980 at Santa Clara Co., CA, USA.
     Fred Joseph Bajada was listed in the 1940 US Census of Spiro Bajada and Consolata Grech in 1950 at San Francisco, CA, USA; age 41, unemployed. Fred Joseph Bajada was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2000. He lived in 2009 at 1236 Miraflores Way, Los Altos, CA, USA. He contributed his He contributed his family's genealogy family's genealogy to MHS on 24 March 2012. He was living in 2023 in San Martin, CA, USA.

     Diane Williams was born on 23 February 1943 in MN, USA.¹ She married Fred Joseph Bajada, son of Spiro Bajada and Consolata Grech, on 5 May 1962 at San Mateo, CA, USA.¹ Diane Williams and Fred Joseph Bajada were divorced in April 1974. Diane Williams died on 16 November 2009 at age 66.¹
     Her married name was Bajada.¹

     Dan Joseph Bajada was born on 29 December 1964 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He married Sue Pixiali in 1991. Dan Joseph Bajada married Christine Bettencourt in 2012.
     Dan Joseph Bajada was a He currently owns and operates Menlo Auto Repairs.

in 2023 at Menlo Park, CA, USA. He was living in 2023 in San Jose, CA, USA. Dan Joseph Bajada was also known as Danny J. Bajada.

     Kerry Bajada was born on 12 October 1966 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.¹ She married (?) Norquist.¹
     Her married name was Norquist.¹

     (?) Norquist married Kerry Bajada, daughter of Fred Joseph Bajada and Diane Williams.¹

     Kelly Bajada was born on 14 August 1969 in Daly City, CA, USA.¹ She married Brian Vierra.
     Her married name was Vierra. Kelly Bajada and Brian Vierra lived in 2023 at San Jose, CA, USA.

     Grace Bajada was born on 16 December 1906 in Hamrun, Malta; age 23 in 1930 census; age 33 in 1940 census; Dolores Bajada: Dec 21.^1,3,4 She was issued a Maltese Passport age 20, to reach her father on 30 June 1926.⁴ She married Joseph Fenech, son of Francesco Fenech and Giuseppa Cassia, on 30 October 1929 at San Francisco, CA, USA; ages 31 and 22; also Nov 2, 1929.³ Grace Bajada died on 15 October 1997 at Lakeport, CA, USA, at age 90. She was buried at Upper Lake Cemetery.
     Grace Bajada was also known as Grazia Bajada. She emigrated with Carmela Margherita Grazia Giorgia Genovese on 19 July 1926 at New York, NY, USA; Contact: brother Giuseppi Spiteri.⁵ As of 1929,her married name was Fenech.³ Grace Bajada and Joseph Fenech were listed in the 1930 US Census age 31, house laundry laborer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.³ Grace Bajada was naturalized on 23 March 1937 at San Francisco, CA, USA. She and Joseph Fenech were listed in the 1940 US Census age 42, railroad pullman painter in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁶ Grace Bajada emigrated with Carmela Raphela Josephine Gajetana Spiteri and Joseph Spiteri on 13 January 1947 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; on SS America, at NY, NY; Aunt Grace Bajada Fenech helped them out on arrival.^5,7 Grace Bajada and Joseph Fenech were listed in the 1950 US Census age 52, railroad painter in San Francisco, CA, USA. Grace Bajada was living in 1978 in San Carlos, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 19 October 1997: FENECH. Grace (Bajada) of San Carlos passed away October 15, 1997, of respiratory failure at age 90. A native of Malta. Wife of the late Joseph Fenech of Lake Co. Survived by son Joseph C. Fenech; grandchildren William Fenech and his wife Melin-da of Redwood City and Laura J. Fenech of San Carlos: great grandchildren Briana Fenech and Christiana Fenech of San Bruno; brother Anthony Baiada and his wife Betty: and special nieces Mary Galdes of Menlo Park and Margaret Galdes of Palo Alto. She was preceded In death by sister Josephine Spiteri, brothers Spiro Baiada and Charles Baiada. She was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church and a member of Senior Citizens of San Carlos.

     Anthony Dominic Bajada was born on 22 September 1902 in Hamrun, Malta; age 27 in 1930 census; age 37 in 1940 census.^1,4 He was issued a Maltese Passport age 17 on 19 April 1920. Declared destination was USA.⁴ He married Elizabeth Julia Waldvogal, daughter of Moritz Waldvogal and Elizabeth Katherine Steiner, on 8 August 1925 at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, San Francisco, CA, USA; ages 23 and 20.¹ Anthony Dominic Bajada died on 20 July 2000 at Scottsdale, AZ, USA, at age 97.¹
     Anthony Dominic Bajada was also known as Antonio Domenico Vincenzo Carmelo Paolo Gaetano Bajada. He was listed on a passenger list at Ellis Island, NY on 13 September 1920 going to New York, NY, USA; age 18, fireman; mother Carmela Bajada in Hamrun. Destination San Francisco. He emigrated from Malta arrived on 15 Sep 1920 on the RMS Olympic; took a train from New York, arriving on 19 Sep 1920 on 19 September 1920 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.^1,5 He and Elizabeth Julia Waldvogal were listed in the 1930 US Census age 27, press operator laborer, Schlage in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁵ Anthony Dominic Bajada was naturalized in 1937 at San Francisco, CA, USA; age 35. He and Elizabeth Julia Waldvogal were listed in the 1940 US Census age 37, machine shop foreman; and 4 of Elizabeth's siblings: Emil, Edward, Frances, Pauline in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.² Anthony Dominic Bajada received military draft notice on 14 February 1942 at San Francisco, CA, USA, age 39, Goodrich Mfg Co. He and Elizabeth Julia Waldvogal were listed in the 1950 US Census age 47, odd jobs painting; and brother and sister in law Emil and Frances Waldvogal 36 in San Francisco, CA, USA. Research: Played in Silver Strings Mandolin Orchestra. Anthony Dominic Bajada attended St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church and was listed as a parishoner in 1962.

Anthony Dominic Bajada was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 16 September 1975: Bajadas Celebrate 50th anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony D. Bajada of Menlo Park celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently at a reception and dinner given by their daughter, Mrs. Evelyn E. Mainini of Atherton; her former husband, Ambrose N. Mainini, also of Atherton: and the Bajadas' son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bajada of San Jose. Approximately 160 relatives and friends attended the festivities at the Almaden Country Club in San Jose. The Bajadas have six grandchildren. Daniel Mainini and Mrs. Charles del Castillo, both of Menlo Park; John Mainini of Atherton: Diane, Carole and Cynthia Bajada of San Jose. They also have two great-grandchildren, Kerry Daniel Mainini and Alexandria Elizabeth del Castillo of Menlo Park. The grandchildren, relatives and friends presented the Bajadas with a trip to Hawaii. Mr. and Mrs. Bajada were married on Aug 8, 1925 in St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church. San Francisco." Mrs. Bajada is the former Elizabeth Julia Waldvogel. Her grandfather, Joseph Steiner, arrived in San Francisco from Switzerland in 1868 and built the first Swiss-German Hotel in San Francisco, The Helvetia. It stood on California and Sansome streets until it was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906. Anthony Bajada came to the United States from Malta in 1920 He was a machinist until he retired in 1948 to go into property investment and management. He has been a member of the Silver Strings Mandolis Ensemble of San Francisco for 30 years. The Bajadas lived in San Francisco until 1961 when they moved to Menlo Park. Among those at the anniversary
party were several of the Bajadas brothers and sisters. They also had a sentimental reunion with old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Arant of Portland, who were married on the same day as the Bajadas. 50 years ago in San Francisco. He was living in 2000 in Menlo Park, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 25 July 2000: BAJADA. Anthony — 97 of Menlo Park, passed away July 20. 2000 In Scottsdale Arizona He was born In Malta He Is survived by his wife Elizabeth J Bajala of Menlo Park; son George Anthony; and daughter Evelyn Elizabeth; grandfather of six; great grandfather of 15; and great great grandfather.
Obituary: on 2 August 2000: Anthony Bajada Former machinist, musician
Anthony Bajada, a resident of Menlo Park since 1968, died in Scottsdale, Arizona, July 20. He was 97.
Born in Hamrun, Malta, Mr. Bajada served in the British Army during World War I and moved to the United States at the age of 17. He married Elizabeth J. Waldvogel at St. Paul of the Shipwreck in San Francisco in 1925. He worked as a machinist, making tools and dies, but his passion was for playing the guitar, his family said. He joined the Silver Strings Orchestra in San Francisco in 1945, and when the family moved to Palo Alto in 1961, then to Menlo Park in 1968, he played with the Aurora Orchestra. He was also a member of Little House Senior Center.
Mr. Bajada is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Bajada; his daughter, Evelyn "Lynn" McCarthy of Scottsdale, Arizona; his son, George A. Bajada of San Jose; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. A funeral Mass was held at St. Raymond Catholic Church, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.
Anthony Dominic Bajada Wikipedia: Anthony Dominic Bajada (September 22, 1902 – July 20, 2000) was a British–American inventor known for creating and patenting the "stay tab" press-to-open lid mechanism for drink cans.
Early life and career. Anthony Bajada was born on September 22, 1902, in Hamrun, Malta, a colony of the British Empire to Sevario and Carmela Bajada.
After serving in the British Army in World War I, at 17 years old he moved to the United States, traveling aboard the White Star Line's RMS Olympic on the Southampton to New York City route by way of Cherbourg, France. He arrived in New York City exactly one week before his 18th birthday in 1920, where he boarded the transcontinental railroad bound for San Francisco.
He married Elizabeth Waldvogal (b. 1905, d. 2001) in 1925 in San Francisco and had two children, Evelyn (b. 1928, d. 2010) and George (b. 1935). He moved to Palo Alto in 1961 and to Menlo Park in 1968. Early in his career he worked as a machinist, making tools and dies until he later became a property investor in 1948.
Invention of the opening mechanism on drink cans:
In the mid 1950s, Anthony invented the mechanism for opening canned containers with a "press-it" type closure that pushed inwardly into the can to permit the contents to be poured.
Prior to Bajada’s invention, it was necessary to either use a separate opening device such as a can opener or to use a pull tab mechanism. The use of a detached can-opener proved cumbersome, as without the tool the can could not be opened and the pull tab design was dangerous as the detached tab could be ingested and was not easy to see in an x-ray. One of the novel aspects of Bajada's design is that the can's opening mechanism is self-contained on the can's lid, eliminating the need to use any additional devices to open the can. In 1956, Anthony filed for a patent titled "Lid closure for can containers," which was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as No. 2,842,295 in 1958. He was represented by the intellectual property law firm Kilpatrick Townsend.
At the time, Bajada marveled that "the advantages of his invention would become apparent" upon seeing the design, a statement that proved true. Within two months of Bajada's patent expiry, inventor Ermal C. Fraze and the Reynolds Metals Company filed patents on designs for a “pull tab" mechanism for soda cans and during large manufacturing companies such as Crown Cork & Seal Co., Broken Hill Proprietary Company, and United States Steel Corporation began making lid mechanisms based on Bajada’s design. Later years and death: Anthony Bajada remained a resident of Menlo Park until his death on July 20, 2000. He was survived by his wife, his two children, his 6 grandchildren, and his 15 great-grandchildren (including Jake Chasan).

     Anthony Grech was born on 13 July 1908 in Mosta, Malta; age 22 in 1930 census.² He married Johannah Roehm on 26 November 1929 at Redwood City, CA, USA; ages 21 and 20.³ Anthony Grech died on 19 July 1957 at Wellington, Lyon Co., NV, USA, at age 49. He was buried at Olivet Cemetery, Colma, CA, USA.
     Anthony Grech was also known as Antonio Grech.² He was listed on a passenger list with Angela Sammut on 17 December 1920 at New York, NY, USA; age 34, sister Giovanna Sammut in Malta. Destination San Francisco, to husband Joseph Grech. Anthony Grech and Johannah Roehm were listed in the 1930 US Census age 22, food products co. chauffeur in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.³ Anthony Grech was naturalized on 19 April 1939 at San Francisco, CA, USA; age 25, auto mechanic. He was listed in the 1940 US Census. He received military draft notice on 16 October 1940 at Quint St., San Francisco, CA, USA, age 32, waterfront Employers Association. He and (?) Maltese Owned Businesses were Maltese Business A floor manager and owner of several casinos. Owner of Tony's Club/Tony's Slot Machine Bar in Statline, NV.
From 1949 to 1955, George S. Canon operated George's Gateway Club, between the California state line and the Wagon Wheel Saloon along U.S. Highway 50.
In 1952, E. N. Reinburg opened Dopey Norman's bar at the end of the building at the state line, and in 1953 it became Tony's Slot Machine Bar, operated by Anthony Grech.
In 1955, George Canon sold the Gateway Club to Bill Harrah, and it became Harrah's Club. in 1949. Anthony Grech and Johannah Roehm were listed in the 1950 US Census age 41, private club, general clerk (actually owner) in San Francisco, CA, USA.

Anthony Grech was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 1 February 1951: FEB. 1, 1955: Canon sells Tahoe Club to Harrah’s
George Canon today announced sale of George’s Gateway Club at Stateline, Lake Tahoe, to Harrah’s Club Inc. of Reno. The purchase price was “considerably in excess of $500,000,” Canon said. Canon said today that he wants to be able to devote full-time to operation of the Senator Club here, which he recently remodeled and enlarged. George’s Gateway Club has been operated by Canon and his partner, Phillip “Curly” Musso. Canon said it will be turned over to Harrah’s Club Thursday morning. It is reported that Harrah’s will establish at the Stateline resort the famed Pony Express museum which it recently bought from W. Parker Lyon of Arcadia, Calif. Included in the same deal was Tony’s Club at Stateline, operated by Tony Grech. An application seeking a state gambling license for the Gateway Club was filed with the state tax commission here yesterday just before a temporary license moratorium enacted by the Legislature became law. At the same time, Canon and Musso filed an application seeking a gambling license for Casino de Paris at Lake Tahoe, formerly known as Tahoe Village. The club, presently in the hands of the Nevada board of trade, has gone bankrupt several times in the past. This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.

Anthony Grech was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1952: Eddie Sahati died of cancer in 1952 at the age of 41. His brother, Nick, then leased the Stateline Country Club and Sahatis Club to a group of businessmen including Paul Venturi, Anthony Grech (who also ran Tony's Slot Machine Bar across the street, between George's Gateway Club and the California state line), and Karl Berge, who ran the bar (Berge later owned Karl's Silver Club in Sparks). Sahatis Club was renamed to the Stateline Redwood Room, next to the Stateline Country Club, from 1954 to 1956. In 1955, Bill Harrah had purchased George's Gateway Club, across U.S. Highway 50 from the Stateline Country Club, and after a successful couple of years was able to persuade the businessmen to give up their lease so Nick Sahati could sell the property to Harrah.

Anthony Grech was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 15 April 1953: Las Vegas Review-Journal Wednesday. April 15. 1953 -- Redwood Cify Pair to Run Tahoe Club
CARSON CITY, Nevnda— On the theory that “uecan't go from bad to worse.” the Nevada Tax- Commission Tuesday granted a gambling license To Anthony Grech and Paul Venturi of Redwood City, Calif., for operation of the Stateline Country Club at. Lake Tahoe. The Stateline has been operated In recent years by Nick Sahati and
I his late brother. Eddie Sahati, of San Francisco. The “bad to worse” reference came from Commissioner-Wallace Parks of Lake Tahoe as he moved that Venturi and Grech be Riven the license. Earlier. Gov. Charles Russell, chairman of the gambling control agency. had observed of the Redwood City men: “These applicants aren’t too Rood, but they are better than Sahati.” -Neither Grech nor Venturi have criminal records but reports to the commission indicated they had Bay Area Gambling for some years. The two told the commission they would be financed In the State-line operation by Businessmen John O'Neil of San-Mateo and Joe Casaretto of San Carlos to the tune of $250.000 on a 10-year promissory note. Attorney Virgil wedge confirmed rumors that Nick Sahati may have changed his mind about leasing but the lawyer said he thought that problem would be worked out If the Bay Area men got their gambling license. Rumors heard'by the Tax Commission were that Sahati may want to operate the club himself this summer in partnership with Dave High. Reno gambler by way of New Jersey. High was unsuccessful in trying to get. a gambling license for a Reno operation.

Anthony Grech was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 3 July 1953: Court Fight On Over Sahati Club
RENO. July 3:— A iruling on a motion by San Francisco Bay Area gamblers Anthony Grech and Paul Venturi seeking appointment of a receiver to operate the Stateline Country Club at Lake Tahoe was expected in Reno district court today. Grech and Venturi are seeking the receivership pending settlement of a legal motion they have filed against Nicholas Sahati which involves a lease for the Stateline the two gamblers claim was given them bv Sahati but which the latter refused to honor. District Judge Mervin Drown of Wtnnemucea yesterday dismissed a motion by Sahntt seeking seeking dismissal of the suit. Grech and Venturl. who have been given a year gambling license for the Stateline bv the state tax commission, claim that Sahati had reused to allow them to take over the club after agreeing earlier to lease it to them for a five-year period. They have asked that a receiver be appointed until the court decides their demand that the lease either be honored or they be paid $30,000 they gave Sahati when the lease was signed plus $2,200,000 which they estimated as prospectlve profits of the club during the five-year period.



Anthony Grech Dolores Herrera: The Lady of Fatima shrine, at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville CA, was donated to the church by Anthony Grech (casino owner) in memory of his son Alfred Grech who was in the Air Force and died in England.

Anthony Grech was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 25 May 1954: Eddie Sahati's Old Club Has New Partners
Reno, May 24—Paul Venturi, former San Mateo courty gambler, announced a new lineup of ownership of the Staleline Country Club at Lake Tahoo today. The Statellne once was operated by the late Eddie Sahatl. Venturi said he has purchased the interest of his partmr, Tony Grech, another San Mateo county gambler.
In addition, Venturi said an interest In the Statellne has been purchased by four San Francisco Bay Area residents. He Identified them as A. J. Ceorgetta, a San Jose retail produce dealer; Charles (Chuck) Benglveno, former San Jose chain store operator; Lou Gnrdelln, former Mayor of Livermore, and Bill Paulosso, Oakland tavern owner. There waa no mention of money in the transactions. It was presumed, however, that the four new partners put up I the $200,000 Venturi and Cr*.h had been ordered to return to eight gamblers and bus nessmen who recently were dened State gambling licenses in Nevada. The eight men applied for licenses after buying into the Stateline to the extent of $200,000. The Nevada Tax Commission said it suspecled they ¹wanted to use the Statellne club as part of a bookie coramunlcatlons system, and ordered Venturi and Grech to return their money.     
Obituary: : GRECH—In Nevada, July 19, 1957. Anthony, beloved husband of Johanna Grech, devoted father of Anthony, Jerry and Joanna Grech, Mrs. Angala I.anzaerrhia and the late Alfred A. Grech, and brother of Paul, Charles, and George Grech. Mrs. Connie Bajada and the late Joseph F. Grach; a native of Malta, aged 49 years.
Anthony Grech Anthony was nephew of Joseph Sammut, owner of Artichoke Joe's Casino. Research: Hannah Bartel marriage? or is this Johannah?
BIRTH 11 OCT 1910 • New York City, New York, USA
DEATH 3 MAY 1975 • San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

     Paul Grech was born on 29 October 1903 in Mosta, Malta.^1,2 He was issued a Maltese Passport age 12; mother's consent (Angela). Has been sent for by his father and is being accompanied by emigrants of full age. on 11 May 1916. Declared destination was San Francisco, CA, USA.² He died on 20 November 1958 at San Joaquin, CA, USA, at age 55.¹
     Paul Grech was also known as Paolo Grech.² He emigrated from Malta in 1916 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Joseph Paul Grech Jr was born on 29 January 1924 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 16, CA, in 1940 census; Dolores Bajada Herrera gives Malta.^1,2 He married Angela (?) Joseph Paul Grech Jr died on 3 October 1956 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 32; of heroin overdose (Family note that he was a diabetic and that he went into a coma.) He was buried on 6 October 1956 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He was listed in the 1940 US Census of Joseph Grech and George John Grech in 1940 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 58, divorced, building industry carpenter.³ As of 1940, Joseph Paul Grech Jr was also known as Joseph Grech Jr.^2,3 He received military draft notice on 30 June 1942 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, age 18, Bethlehem Steel. He and John Bellia were listed in the 1950 US Census age 25, merchant marine, marine fireman; Joseph and John Bellia, lodgers in San Francisco, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 4 October 1956: GRECH - In this city, October 3, 1956, Joseph P., beloved son of the late Joseph and Angela Grech, devoted brother of Paul, Charle. Anthonv and George Grech. and Mrs. Connie Bajada; a native of San Francisco, aged 32 years. A member of Marine Firemen's Union.

Joseph Paul Grech Jr was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 4 October 1956: 'Hot Shot in Motel -- 2nd Dope Death; Blonde Addict Held

An attractive blonde 22-year-old drug addict was arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday after police said she admitted administering a lethal dose of heroin to a seaman. The man, Joseph Grech, 32, died shortly after midnight in a Lombard street motel room where he had registered with the woman minutes before she gave him the “hot shot.” Grech was the second seaman to die here within a week from an overdose of heroin. The body of Douglas Callies, 20, was found in a church parking lot Thursday night. HUSBAND IN PRISON Held in connection with the death of Grech is Carmelita Valentine Costa, who has a long record as an addict. She Is the wife of Chris Costa who is currently serving time in Folsom as a parole violator on narcotics and pimping convictions. She was arrested at the home of her mother, Bonnie Lachine, at 591 Seventh avenue, after she fled the motel in Grech’s 1954 green and ivory Cadillac coupe. Grech, who lived at 2039 Silver avenue, left his ship in Eureka Tuesday, police said, and came here by plane. According to Leonard Overton, 50, night clerk at the motel at 1501 Lombard street. Continued on Page 17, Col. 5
Dope: Blonde Held in Motel Death Here Continued from Page 1
the seaman registered there shortly after midnight while the blande waited in the car. Overton said Grech paid for the room with a $100 bill. About. 40 minutes later, the motel clerk said, the woman came to the desk and asked for some small change for a telephone calL Shortly after that a woman called Central Emergency Hospital and reported a man needed an ambulance. When the ambulance crew arrived, the woman and the Cadillac were gone. Grech, who also had a narcotics record, was found sprawled on the floor fully clothed. His head was wet indicating water had been thrown on him in an attempt to revive him. A recent penetration, such as would have been made by a hypodermic needle, was found in a vein on his right arm. Police Homicide Inspectors George Asdrubale and. William Guthrie recognized Mrs. Costa as Grech's companion from the description given of her by the motel clerk. Knowing that she has arrested tuberculosis, they checked records at the TB clinic at San Francisco Hospital and found the Seventh avenue address. She was there and had parked Grech's Cadillac near the.house.
CONFESSION
She readily admitted she had prepared and administered the heroin to Grech and had taken an identical dose herself. Police said the massive shot had not bothered her because she was a constant user and had built up a resistance. Grech however, had been on a long sea voyage and had not been using narcotics. The shock of what to Mrs. Costa was a normal dose killed him, police said. The woman also admitted it was she who had purchased the narcotic and police yesterday were looking for the
peddler who sold it to her. She said Grech became ill immediately after the dope had been injected.
‘A TERRIBLE DEATH’
“I knew he was in a bad way,” she said, “so got change for the phone and called the hospital.” She was booked, at City Prison at 1:15 p. m.—just 13 hours after the fatal dose of heroin was administered. The two narcotics deaths within seven days caused narcotics officers to speculatethat a quantity of dangerously pure heroin may be in circulation here. Heroin, as used by addicts, is diluted greatly by the pusher. Walter Creighton, head of the State Narcotics Bureau, theorized that both men may have received shots of virtually, pure heroin by mistake. “It’s a terrible death’ he said. “Heroin paralyzes the lungs and the victim suffocates internally.”.

Joseph Paul Grech Jr was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 5 October 1956: Grand Jury To Study Dope Deaths The cases of a blonde dope addict and an asserted narcotics peddler, both connected by police with the deaths of two seamen from overdoses of heroin, will be presented to the Grand Jury Monday. Still being sought by police is a third person who assertedly supplied the woman with heroin that killed Joseph Grech, 32, Wednesday morning. Grech’s body was found in a Lombard street motel room shortly after he had registered there with Carmelita Valentine Costa, 22, who admitted she gave the fatal dose to the seaman. Mrs. Costa, who has a prior police record, is being held on suspicion of murder. In City Prison yesterday she was suffering from severe narcotics withdrawal symptoms. She said she had been spending $60 a day on heroin
She said she, “supposed” she was sorry about Grech's death. “But the way I feel right now I don’t very much care. I'm in bad shape,” she whimpered. I'm sick.” The alleged peddler in the second dope death is Luther Poindexter, 44, who pleaded not guilty to a murder charge yesterday before Municipal Judge Alvin Weinberger. The Judge set October 11 for a preliminary hearing. Poindexter, an ex-convict, was said by police to have furnished the heroin that killed seaman Douglas Callies, 20, last week. His body was dumped by friends in a parking lot.

     Charles John Grech was born on 21 August 1906 in Mosta, Malta.^1,2,3 He married Lorraine Jacobsen on 2 January 1943 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Charles John Grech died on 21 January 1979 at Sonoma Co., CA, USA, at age 72.
     Charles John Grech was also known as Carmelo Grech.⁴ He was listed on a passenger list with Angela Sammut on 17 December 1920 at New York, NY, USA; age 34, sister Giovanna Sammut in Malta. Destination San Francisco, to husband Joseph Grech. Charles John Grech emigrated from Malta in 1929 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁴ He and George Grech were listed in the 1930 US Census age 24, farming laborer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁴ Charles John Grech received military draft notice on 16 October 1940 at San Francisco, CA, USA, age 33, Longshoreman Union. He and Lorraine Jacobsen were listed in the 1950 US Census age 43, longshoreman, handle cargo on ships in San Francisco, CA, USA. Charles John Grech was naturalized on 16 August 1960 at San Francisco, CA, USA; a longshoreman.
Obituary: on 23 January 1979: Grech, Charles J — In Sonoma. Jan. 21, 1979: beloved husband of Lorraine Grech; lovmg father of Larry Grech of San Ramon and Vicki Hemilter of Livermore: brother of George Grech of Brisbane: a member of I.LW.U. No. 10 of San Francisco: a native of Malta: aged 72 years.

     George John Grech was born on 12 January 1922 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 19, CA, in 1940 census; Dolores Bajada Herrera gives Malta.^1,2 He married Georgette Eastland. George John Grech died on 29 November 1984 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 62.
     He and Joseph Grech were listed in the 1940 US Census age 58, divorced, building industry carpenter in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.² George John Grech was a He was a mechanic – worked for Stewart Chevrolet S.F.
Obituary: on 2 December 1984: GRECH, George J. — in SF, Nov. 29. 1984; loving husband of Georgette; beloved father of Dorothy Riggs and son-in-law Bobby Riggs of Brisbane; also survived by other nieces and nephews. George John Grech was also known as John Grech.

     Dennis E. Coffen married Dolores Angela Bajada, daughter of Spiro Bajada and Consolata Grech, on 25 August 1956 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Dennis E. Coffen and Dolores Angela Bajada were divorced in October 1969 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Michael Coffen was born on 27 April 1958 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He married Rebecca Adams in 1978. Michael Coffen and Rebecca Adams were divorced in 1998. Michael Coffen married Anna (?) in 1999.
     Michael Coffen was living in 2023 in Tyler, TX, USA.

     Ryan Coffen was born in 1988 in Kent, WA, USA.¹

     Scot Coffen was born in 1983 in Fallbrook, CA, USA.¹