Elwin Francis Ware Former Resident of Martinez Native son, Elwin Francis Ware, fondly known as “Sonny, the Singing Milkman” died at age 95, on August 21st, in Marysville, California. He was born in Martinez to the late Edwin and Ella Taylor Ware. One of seven children, he attended Martinez Elementary School and Graduated from Alhambra High School in 1932, where he ran track and excelled in Mechanical Drawing. On July 4, 1936, he was united in marriage to Mary Eleaner Duarte. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the USS Sarasota, participating in four invasions in the South Pacific and attaining the rank of 3rd Class Storekeeper. He loved hunting and fishing with his family and dancing to the “Big Band” Music of the Thirties and Forties. He was an avid gardener and his Rhododendrons, Camellias, and Chrysanthemums were always a topic of conversation. He was a Scout Master of Troop 183 for 17 years and attended the 1960 Boy Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs, CO. Sonny was a home delivery Milkman for Golden State Dairies and then Foremost Dairies for 34 years, retiring in 1977. In retirement, Sonny and Eleaner traveled to destinations around the world with friends and family. They enjoyed Square Dancing, relaxing at their cabin and playing cards with their many friends. His interest in Woodworking led him to craft many beautiful lamps. He was preceded in death by Eleaner, his wife of 55 years and his sisters Geneva, Edna, Leola, Thera, and Audrey. He is survived by his brother Bennet of Logan, UT; twins, Gary (Dana) of Colorado, and Judith Wahl (Geoffrey) of California, son Robert (Judith) of Texas and daughter Patricia Cox (Alford) of California; 13 Grandchildren and 23 Great Grandchildren. Visitation is on Monday, September 1st, 2008, from 5- 7 pm at Connolly & Taylor, 4000 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, California 94553. Graveside Services are Tuesday, September 2nd, at 10am, Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Lafayette, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Alzheimer’s Association in Memory of “Sonny” Ware.
Source: Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) – Friday, August 29, 2008
This is my grandfather. Our family has a genealogy book, I believe, that my great uncle researched and wrote. I may be mistaken, but I think that the original spelling of our name was Weir. I think the records go back to the mid 1700’s and arrival on the east coast of the US. -but I would have to ask my father. It’s somewhat bizarre to find his obituary reposted almost 8 years later on this site. the majority of the Ware side of my family is located in Northern California.