SIR is a non-profit organization of active men from all walks of life including business, science, engineering, medicine and education. At Br 32 our sole purpose is to bring together individuals with common backgrounds and interests to participate in well organized and well run indoor and outdoor activities and special events. Participating in these activities and events lead to strong social bonds amongst our members.
We have no dues and we do not do fund raising. We are not political or religious. Most of us joined because we needed new ways to be involved in society prior to or after retirement, and found in SIR new contacts and friends that share our interests. Wives love that we have joined.
Currently our branch has 166 members from all areas of the valley. We meet for lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. The lunch is at the Three Flames on Meridian in San Jose. It consists of a social hour, some reporting, lunch and a speaker for about 45 minutes. Past speakers have been a trust/estate attorney, world renowned photographer, San Jose Police Department helicopter pilot, armed forces veterans etc. The speakers are a major draw for our members in addition to member participation in our activities.
We have multiple activities reflecting the interests of the organization. Our activities include: Golf, Pool, Hiking, Bocce, Cards, Biking, Wine Tasting, Travel and more are possible if the interest is there. Many of our activities can include non-members, so wives or partners are able to participate.
We are interested in you, and hope you are interested in joining us. In that regard, you are invited to join us for a free lunch and introductory visit, which we will arrange when we speak with you. To learn more about our BR 32 specifically, or SIR in general, visit the websites
Please contact one of our people for additional information.
Bob Grandey, Recruiting Chairman, 408-439-4521 / bobgrandey@yahoo.com
Larry Hallinan, Director, 408-391-5043 / larogato@comcast.net
Message from Br 32 Big Sir
Wes Howard
February 2025
Fellow Sirs,
Welcome SIR’s to another fun February! We are entering the Lunar Year of the Snake. May you have good luck and enjoy what life brings you. Speaking of enjoying life, have you looked at the event calendar on our web page (https://sir2.org/branch32)? Our activities list has grown with something going on almost every day of the month and the activity list keeps growing.
Are you taking advantage of our fun activities? If not come on out and join your fellow SIR’s enjoying an active life. Thank you to all of you for making this Branch a happy and fun Branch. Remember if you enjoy a certain activity and we do not have it, talk to us, and see if we can make it happen. February is also the month of Valentine’s Day when we celebrate our loved ones, so be prepared to show how important they are to you.
Speaking of loved ones, have you invited them to join you in one of our activities? Yes! Most of our activities have space to accommodate loved ones and friends so they can experience the fun and enjoyment we have.
Come and join us for our SIR luncheon (Wednesday February 19th) and learn about the Three Giants of the Sea along our California Coastline. Learn the intelligent life of the Gray, Humpback, and Blue whales. Don’t forget you can now pay for lunch in advance by using Zelle.
Wes Howard, Branch 32 President (Big SIR)
New Inductees:
Bill Hawk, RJ Beske, Phil Bergeron, Robert Telesco (pictured above), and Dennis Uram (not pictured) were inducted at the January 2025 Lunch. Welcome all to SIR.
February 2025 Luncheon Speaker
“Come join us for the luncheon and learn about the Three Giants of the Sea along our California Coastline”
Brief Statement of Topic:
Whales Along the California Coast
Richard will present information on three giants of the sea – the gray whale (as big as a big bus), the humpback whale (bigger than a big bus) and the blue whale (bigger than two big busses). As different as whales are from us, you will see that they have many similarities as well. You will get a sense of just how intelligent they are. You will understand that these giants among all animals survive by eating some of the smallest of animals. Then, you’ll learn of a tiny animal that eats the giant whale. All of this will be accompanied by a slide deck of pictures that are guaranteed to amaze you.
Bio:
Richard is a San Jose retiree. In his civilian career, he worked mostly for HP and Agilent Technologies. He spent a good part of that career writing high-tech manuals and training courses. He also spent 22 years in the navy and naval reserve – in submarines, surface navy and naval air.
He has been a docent at the Pigeon Point lighthouse near Pescadero for six years. In that time, he developed the whale stories he’ll be presenting to SIR Branch 32. He has also done a lot of volunteer work for his homeowners association, medical auxiliaries, community playhouses and emergency response teams. Though, he is not a scientist nor a true expert on whales, he is a storyteller that draws upon the research of those experts
Future speakers:
March – Joe Galiardi will talk about his Guiness World Record for the largest collection of autographed golf balls
April – Dr. Kenneth Peters will talk about symptoms, causes and measurement of hearing loss and what we can do about it.
Emeritus Honorary Life membership (HLM) Award for Deceased Don Pedrotti
Tony Mazzucco, Bob Grandey and Doug Krause (not pictured) met with Don Pedrotti’s wife Miriam to provide her with the HLM award which was not available prior to his death.
There is no higher honor than Emeritus HLM that is reserved to those HLM’s not able to attend luncheons or activities due to illness or disabilities. “Once an HLM, always an HLM.” Don was aware of receiving the honor of Emeritus HLM before he passed away.
Don was bestowed the Honorary Life Member award in 2006 and served twice as Big Sir in 1999 and 2003. Don Pedrotti was also an avid photographer and chaired the Camera activity.
2025 Officers and Directors Installed
Left to Right: Wes Howard, Nick Jize, Paul Gardner, Mike Bishop, John Caldwell, Darrel Gray, John Pfanhl, Doug Krause, Larry Hallinan, Jim leBlanc, Jim Caratozzolo, and kneeling, Tony Mazzucco. Officers / Directors were installed by Bob Grandey, past Big SIR and Area Govenor (far right).
Web Site Summary
Last Updated: February 19, 2025
Visitors in January 2025: 35
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