Longtime Greenville businessman and civic activist Michael David Ayoob Jr., 84, peacefully passed from this life with his wife and daughter at his side Sunday evening, April 9, 2006, at the Long Term Care Unit of Indian Valley Health Care District in Greenville. Michael was born in San Francisco to Plumas County retail business pioneers Michael Sr. and Nezzera Ayoob on March 18, 1922. He was a lifelong resident of Greenville. Mike attended Greenville Grammar School and was a 1940 graduate of Greenville High. He went on to attend the College of the Pacific in Stockton before joining the U.S. Navy. Michael had acquired a fascination for flying and had entered the Navy as a candidate for pilot training. He received his primary training as a member of the Great Flying School of Carson City, Nev., before the Navy transferred him to a gunner and machinist mate position. He served his country honorably during World War II before being discharged in 1946. Upon his return to Greenville following his discharge, he met Echo French at a dance in Chester. Following a four-year courtship, the two were united in matrimony in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 1, 1950, and to this union one daughter was born. Mike entered the family retail business on his return from the Navy, taking over the reins of the Greenville Store in the early '70s and, along with Echo, continuing to operate the store until health concerns for his wife required his retirement and closing of the community landmark in 1985. Always concerned about his community, Mike began a longtime affiliation with the community's civic organizations, first as a member of the former Greenville 20-30 Club as a young businessman and shortly thereafter as a member of the Greenville Rotary Club. Mike was an active member of Rotary for over 50 years, serving the club as president on two different occasions (64-65 and 68-69). He was awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award, along with numerous district citations. He could always be found supporting his wife's longtime affiliation with Soroptimist. Mike was instrumental in the organization of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and served as its inaugural president. As a longtime member of the Greenville Fire Department, he was one of the first ambulance attendants for the community, serving in this capacity for some 10 years. He was active with the Plumas County Search and Rescue for many years and had just been honored by the Greenville American Legion Post for his longtime affiliation and support with the organization. Mike's fraternal affiliations included a longtime membership in the Quincy Elks Lodge. Mike was an avid sportsman who, it is said by many, "lived to fish." He had traveled throughout the West, Mexico, Canada and Alaska, hooking the elusive big one. He also found pleasure in hunting, snowmobiling, ice skating and riding motorcycles. He gained great pleasure in water skiing and was often heard bragging about how his boat could tow more skiers than any other. He meticulously maintained his automobiles and took great pride in his restored Ford Mustang. Mike is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Echo of Greenville; daughter Diana Kay Johnson of Lodi; and his sister, Helen Neuman of Chester. He will be especially missed by his companion, Taffy. He was preceded in death by his parents and dear brother, Carl. A celebration of Michael's life will take place Thursday, April 20, at 11 a.m. at the Greenville Southern Baptist Church. An opportunity to express condolences to the family and to sign the memorial guest registry is available online at www.fehrmanmortuary.com. The family suggests any remembrances in Mike's honor be made to the Long Term Care Unit of Indian Valley Health Care District, c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 803, Greenville, CA 95947.

Portola resident Willard Hamilton Jessup, 91, passed away suddenly April 16, 2006 at Eastern Plumas District Hospital. Willard was born Dec. 31, 1914 in Peekskull, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Navy for 11 years and was a chief mechanist mate. He settled in the Bay Area and had a long career as a contractor in home construction. Just before retiring, he operated a motel in Reno, Nev. He and his wife, Alice, retired to Portola in 1975. Willard is survived by his wife of 36 years, Alice of Portola; daughter Mildred Talbert of Lincoln; stepsons Philip Cook of Weston, W.Va., and Michael Cook of Mesa, Ariz.; sister Estelle Fontaine of Las Vegas, Nev.; brothers Richard of Hayward, Albert of Peekskull, N.Y., and Leonard of Big Water, Utah; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At Willard's request, no services will be held. Private burial has taken place. Services are under the direction of Manni Funeral Home in Portola. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mannifuneralhome.com.